Falcons deploy to Romania for training exercise Published Aug. 22, 2008 By 010808 CAMPIA TURZII, Romania -- F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy, arrived in Campia Turzii, Romania, for Viper Lance '08, a recurring flying training deployment during which U.S. Air Force Airmen train side-by-side with their Romanian Air Force counterparts. The training deployment demonstrates the continuing commitment of U.S. Air Forces in Europe to train with and support NATO allies, and thereby strengthen relations and interoperability between the U.S. Air Force and the Romanian Air Force. The training, to be conducted from Aug. 22 through Sept. 5, will include roughly 250 U.S. Air Force personnel and twelve F-16s from the 510th Fighter Squadron at Aviano Air Base. The 510th FS will train with the Romanian Air Force's 71st Air Base Squadron, which flies the Romanian MiG-21s. Headquarters USAFE and the 31st Fighter Wing have been planning the training deployment for over a year and have worked closely with the host nation in doing so. USAF routinely conducts flying training deployments throughout the European theater and has more recently conducted such deployments in Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania. These deployments may include either U.S. Air Force fighter or cargo aircraft. MEDIA ADVISORY: A media day will be held Sept. 3 at Campia Turzii. For more information or to register, contact Romanian Lt. Cmdr. Marian Dobre at +40723556136.