RoAF 90th Airlift Base
Encyclopedia
The Romanian Air Force
90th Airlift Base (Baza 90 Transport Aerian) is located at the Henri Coandă International Airport
, near Bucharest
. In 1949, the 49th Transport Group was the first unit to be settled at Otopeni airfield. Later, in 1971, a special squadron was commissioned here and after few years this squadron became the 50th Airlift Wing. On March 1, 1990, by gathering together these two units, the 90th Airlift Base was officially formed.
The base is currently home to the 901st, 902nd, 903rd, 904th, 905th aviation squadrons, operating C-130 Hercules
, C-27J Spartan, An-26, An-30, IAR-330L
and IAR-330 SOCAT
. The 90th Airlift Base is also the home of the Presidential
and Government
aircraft.
In October 2004, the 61st Helicopter Squadron was transferred to the 90th Airlift Base, adding IAR-330 SOCAT
to its inventory. The 90th Airlift Base has also MEDEVAC
capability.
Bucur Nicolae (one of the most experienced RoAF pilots, with over 2,700 flying hours), when an IAR-330 Puma SOCAT
attack helicopter
belonging to the 90th Airlift Base crashed in Ungheni
, near Piteşti
, Argeş County
. The aircraft was performing a night training mission at the moment it disappeared from radar
. Immediately after the crash, the 90th air base detached two helicopters for a search and rescue
mission.
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Romanian Air Force
The Romanian Air Force is the air force branch of the Romanian Armed Forces. It has an air force headquarters, an operational command, four air bases and an air defense brigade...
90th Airlift Base (Baza 90 Transport Aerian) is located at the Henri Coandă International Airport
Henri Coanda International Airport
Henri Coandă International Airport is Romania's busiest international airport, located northwest of the city of Bucharest, within Otopeni city limits. One of two airports serving the Romanian capital, the other being Băneasa, it is named after Romanian flight pioneer Henri Coandă, builder of...
, near Bucharest
Bucharest
Bucharest is the capital municipality, cultural, industrial, and financial centre of Romania. It is the largest city in Romania, located in the southeast of the country, at , and lies on the banks of the Dâmbovița River....
. In 1949, the 49th Transport Group was the first unit to be settled at Otopeni airfield. Later, in 1971, a special squadron was commissioned here and after few years this squadron became the 50th Airlift Wing. On March 1, 1990, by gathering together these two units, the 90th Airlift Base was officially formed.
The base is currently home to the 901st, 902nd, 903rd, 904th, 905th aviation squadrons, operating C-130 Hercules
C-130 Hercules
The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built originally by Lockheed, now Lockheed Martin. Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medical evacuation, and cargo transport...
, C-27J Spartan, An-26, An-30, IAR-330L
IAR 330
|-See also:-External links:*...
and IAR-330 SOCAT
IAR 330
|-See also:-External links:*...
. The 90th Airlift Base is also the home of the Presidential
President of Romania
The President of Romania is the head of state of Romania. The President is directly elected by a two-round system for a five-year term . An individual may serve two terms...
and Government
Government of Romania
The Government of Romania forms one half of the country's executive branch . It is headed by the Prime-Minister, and consists of the Ministries, various subordinated institutions and agencies, and the 42 Prefectures...
aircraft.
In October 2004, the 61st Helicopter Squadron was transferred to the 90th Airlift Base, adding IAR-330 SOCAT
IAR 330
|-See also:-External links:*...
to its inventory. The 90th Airlift Base has also MEDEVAC
MEDEVAC
Medical evacuation, often termed Medevac or Medivac, is the timely and efficient movement and en route care provided by medical personnel to the wounded being evacuated from the battlefield or to injured patients being evacuated from the scene of an accident to receiving medical facilities using...
capability.
2007 IAR-330 SOCAT crash
Three crewmen were killed on November 7, 2007, including CommanderCommander
Commander is a naval rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service. Commander is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the armed forces, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Commander as a naval...
Bucur Nicolae (one of the most experienced RoAF pilots, with over 2,700 flying hours), when an IAR-330 Puma SOCAT
IAR 330
|-See also:-External links:*...
attack helicopter
Attack helicopter
An attack helicopter is a military helicopter with the primary role of an attack aircraft, with the capability of engaging targets on the ground, such as enemy infantry and armored vehicles...
belonging to the 90th Airlift Base crashed in Ungheni
Ungheni, Arges
Ungheni is a commune in the southwestern part of Argeş County, Romania. It is composed of six villages: Colţu, Găujani, Goia, Humele, Satu Nou and Ungheni....
, near Piteşti
Pitesti
Pitești is a city in Romania, located on the Argeș River. The capital and largest city of Argeș County, it is an important commercial and industrial center, as well as the home of two universities. Pitești is situated on the A1 freeway connecting it directly to the national capital Bucharest,...
, Argeş County
Arges County
Argeș is a county of Romania, in Wallachia, with the capital city at Pitești.-Demographics:In 2002, it had a population of 652,625 and the population density was 95/km².*Romanians – 96%*Roma , and other.-Geography:...
. The aircraft was performing a night training mission at the moment it disappeared from radar
Radar
Radar is an object-detection system which uses radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. The radar dish or antenna transmits pulses of radio...
. Immediately after the crash, the 90th air base detached two helicopters for a search and rescue
Search and rescue
Search and rescue is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger.The general field of search and rescue includes many specialty sub-fields, mostly based upon terrain considerations...
mission.