Romania opens F-16 pilot training hub for NATO allies, Ukraine

Two Romanian Air Force F-16 perform fly-bys during the inauguration event of the European F-16 Training Center inside the 86th Romanian Airbase, in Fetesti, Romania, November 13, 2023. Inquam Photos/George Calin via REUTERS

FETESTI, Romania (Reuters) - Red is a Romanian fighter pilot with hundreds of flight hours and countless air policing missions on the NATO state's now retired fleet of MIG21 LanceR jets who will be flying Lockheed Martin F-16 planes as early as December.

On Monday, he and six other Romanian pilots became the first trainees at a NATO military alliance-backed regional F-16 training hub which will also be available to all allies and partners, including Ukraine during its war with Russia.