Readout of US Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr.’s counterpart visit with Chief of the Romanian Air Force Staff Lt. Gen. Viorel Pană

Published July 6, 2023
Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) -- U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. hosted the Chief of the Romanian Air Force Staff Lt. Gen. Viorel Pană for an official counterpart visit June 26 through 30. The visit recognized Romania as a valued NATO ally and advanced the strong and enduring bilateral defense relationship.

Col. Scott Gunn (right), Vice Commander of the 80th Flying Training Wing and Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training (ENJJPT), accompanies Chief of the Romanian Air Staff Lt. Gen. Viorel Pană (left) through “Flag Row” at the 80th Flying Training Wing en route to the ENJJPT building at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, June 29, 2023. Romania has been a member of ENJJPT since 2017 and the Romanian Air Force began training its first pilots there in May of 2019. (U.S. Air Force Photo by 1st Lt. Daniel Lindstrom) — Col. Scott Gunn (right), Vice Commander of the 80th Flying Training Wing and Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training (ENJJPT), accompanies Chief of the Romanian Air Force Staff Lt. Gen. Viorel Pană (left) through “Flag Row” at the 80th Flying Training Wing en route to the ENJJPT building at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, June 29, 2023. Romania has been a member of ENJJPT since 2017 and the Romanian Air Force began training its first pilots there in May of 2019. (U.S. Air Force Photo by 1st Lt. Daniel Lindstrom)

As part of the visit, Pană received a full honors arrival and was awarded a Legion of Merit at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling June 27. Pană attended both an office call and staff talks with Brown at the Pentagon and later participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. presents the Legion of Merit medal to Chief of the Romanian Air Force Staff Lt. Gen. Viorel Pană during a full honors arrival ceremony at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C., June 27, 2023. It is conferred on officers and enlisted men of the armed forces of the United States and on nationals of other countries who have distinguished themselves by exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services since Sept. 8, 1939, the date of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s proclamation of the state of emergency that led to World War II. (U.S. Air Force photo by Andy Morataya)

During their office call, Brown commended Romania for its vital contributions to European security, highlighting Romanian Air Force support to NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission as an example of alliance solidarity in action.

The leaders also exchanged perspectives on Black Sea security and impacts to the region from Russia’s brutal war of choice against Ukraine.

“I want to thank Lt. Gen. Pană and the Romanian Air Force for their continued leadership role in the Black Sea area, and Romania as a whole for hosting thousands of U.S. and allied forces to bolster and defend NATO’s eastern flank,” Brown said.

Chief of the Romanian Air Force Staff Lt. Gen. Viorel Pană addresses a room of Romanian and U.S. Airmen from the 187th Fighter Wing at Dannelly Field, Ala., June 29, 2023. The 187th has hosted a State Partnership Program with the Romanian Air Force since 1993. The partnership has supported F-16 Fighting Falcon training between both air forces, along with the professional development of Airmen in all career fields who make that mission possible. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Michael Luangkhot) — Chief of the Romanian Air Force Staff Lt. Gen. Viorel Pană addresses a room of Romanian and U.S. Airmen at Dannelly Field, Alabama’s 187th Fighter Wing, June 29, 2023. The 187th has hosted a State Partnership Program with the Romanian Air Force since 1993. The partnership has supported F-16 Fighting Falcon training between both air forces, along with the professional development of Airmen in all career fields who make that mission possible. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Michael Luangkhot)

Chief of the Romanian Air Force Staff Lt. Gen.Viorel Pană discusses flying operations with 187th Fighter Wing Commander U.S. Air Force Col. Brian Vaughn, June 29, 2023, at Dannelly Field, Ala. The two air forces have shared lessons learned from F-16 maintenance to joint exercises overseas. The 187th FW is scheduled to transition from F-16s to F-35s, and the wing also provided an F-35 conversion tour for Pană and the Romanian delegation. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Michael Luangkhot) — Chief of the Romanian Air Force Staff Lt. Gen. Viorel Pană discusses flying operations with 187th Fighter Wing Commander U.S. Air Force Col. Brian Vaughn, June 29, 2023, at Dannelly Field, Ala. The two air forces have shared lessons learned from F-16 maintenance to joint exercises overseas. The 187th FW is scheduled to transition from F-16s to F-35s, and the wing also provided an F-35 conversion tour for Pană and the Romanian delegation. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Michael Luangkhot)

The 187th has hosted a State Partnership program with the Romanian Air Force since 1993. The partnership has supported F-16 training between both air forces, along with the professional development of Airmen in all career fields who make that mission possible. — Chief of the Romanian Air Force Staff Lt. Gen. Viorel Pană and delegation have open discussions with 187th Fighter Wing members about the enlisted force structure at a senior noncommissioned officers roundtable, Dannelly Field, Ala., June 29, 2023.

The 187th Fighter Wing has hosted a State Partnership program with the Romanian Air Force since 1993. The two air forces fly F-16 missions together at Dannelly Field. The 187th is scheduled to transition from F-16s to F-35s, and the wing also provided an F-35 conversion tour for Pană the Romanian delegation. — Chief of the Romanian Air Force Staff Lt. Gen. Viorel Pană, 187th Fighter Wing Commander U.S. Air Force Col. Brian Vaughn and Romanian Air Force Head of Aviation Training Col. Vasile Petrea engage in conversation prior to the F-35 Lightning II conversion brief at Dannelly Field, Ala., June 29, 2023. The two air forces have shared lessons learned from F-16 maintenance to joint exercises overseas. The 187th FW is scheduled to transition from F-16s to F-35s, and the wing also provided an F-35 conversion tour for Pană and the Romanian delegation. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Michael Luangkhot)

Col. Scott Gunn (left), Vice Commander of the 80th Flying Training Wing and Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training (ENJJPT), exchanges challenge coins with Chief of the Romanian Air Staff Lt. Gen. Viorel Pană (right) at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, June 29, 2023. Romania has been a member of ENJJPT since 2017 and the Romanian Air Force began training its first pilots there in May of 2019. (U.S. Air Force Photo by 1st Lt. Daniel Lindstrom) — Vice Commander, 80th Flying Training Wing and Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Col. Scott Gunn, exchanges challenge coins with Chief of the Romanian Air Force Staff Lt. Gen. Viorel Pană at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, June 29, 2023. Romania has been a member of ENJJPT since 2017 and the Romanian Air Force began training its first pilots there in May of 2019. (U.S. Air Force Photo by 1st Lt. Daniel Lindstrom)

The two sides further discussed Romanian Air Force modernization efforts, including its growing F-16 Fighting Falcon fleet and intent to acquire F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft, as well as future opportunities to increase cooperation and interoperability.

The office call was followed by staff talks to discuss matters of mutual importance. Topics included Black Sea security dynamics, force modernization, and integrating fourth and fifth-generation aircraft.

In addition to his engagements in the national capital region, Pană visited Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, for activities centered on Romania’s ongoing participation in the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program. He also visited Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, to visit Air University for a series of briefings and meetings regarding AU capabilities and enlisted development. Pană is a member of the university’s International Honor Roll having graduated from Squadron Officer School in 1996.

Chief of the Romanian Air Force Staff Lt. Gen. Viorel Pană and The Adjutant General of the Alabama National Guard U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Sheryl Gordon, exchange gifts June 29, 2023, at the Joint Forces Headquarters of the Alabama National Guard. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the State Partnership Program between the Romanian Air Force and the State of Alabama. The state’s 187th Fighter Wing and Romanian Air Force train together on the F-16 Fighting Falcon at Dannelly Field. (Courtesy photo)

Pană also visited Dannelly Field, Alabama, and the 187th Fighter Wing. Romania began its now 30-year connection with the Alabama National Guard under the State Partnership Program in 1993.

“The future of global security is partnership, connectedness, and interoperability,” said Adjutant General of the Alabama National Guard U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Sheryl Gordon, “and this month marks three decades of Alabama Airmen working alongside Romanian partners toward that goal.”

“Alabama’s 187th Fighter Wing has flown F-16 and KC-135 [Stratotankers] training sorties side-by-side with the Romanian Air Force and we look forward to future advanced training opportunities as Romania continues its defense modernization program. We’re proud to be on the cutting edge of air superiority and international cooperation in the Black Sea region but that wouldn’t be possible without the close relationships formed by visits like this.”