The U.S. European and African Air Command said at the press conference that the “Death” drones will carry out intelligence reconnaissance and surveillance missions.
These drone deployments follow the U.S. Air Force’s concept of “flexible combat” and deploy personnel and equipment scattered in multiple locations to increase the probability of survival in wartime.
In addition, these drones will also carry out “free mobile flight” missions, work with U.S. and Allied forces in the region, and may participate in exercises to ensure interoperability between the United States and allies and partner countries.
“The forward deployment of the MQ-9 drone in this critical strategic position ensures our relationship with our allies and partners, while also signaling to our opponents that we can quickly respond to any urgent threat,” General Jeff Harrigian, the commander of the U.S. Air Command Europe and Africa, at the press conference. Say it.
The report mentioned that in the title of relevant documents publicly released by the U.S. military, the deployment of the MQ-9 drone in Romania was described as the establishment of a “persistent existence”.
Asked if it was to establish a permanent base in Romania, Major Selena Rodz, spokesman for the U.S. European and African Air Command, said that the command had not discussed the length of deployment.
The spokesman said: “The U.S. European and African air forces often mobilize aircraft throughout Europe to familiarize themselves with various combat areas and carry out training. These deployments are just one of the many ways we can demonstrate our strong commitment to NATO allies and regional partners.
The U.S. Air Force sent a MQ-9 “Death” drone unit to Poland in January 2020, when the U.S. military claimed that it was only a “temporary relocation” and that the troops would be deployed until the spring of 2020.
The U.S. European and African Air Force Command said that this year’s deployment was an action coordinated with the Romanian government. Romania is an ally of NATO and has close military ties with the United States.
The country is located in a strategic location, with Ukraine in the north and the Black Sea in the east, not far from Turkey and Russia.
