... in response to Romania, posted by wilmc on Jul 7, 2003The Romanian base became a substitute after Turkey denied passage to American troops invading Iraq through the north. The number of Americans in the Constanta area is between 1,000 and 3,000 .
There are 500 support airmen, plus up to 2,000 troops who are part of the Joint Special Operations Task Force, which monitors air operations in Northern Iraq and provides airlift to troops. Good news…… the base is home to some Russian MIG fighter aircraft, from MIG-15 and MIG-17, to MIG-21 and MIG-29. Should be good dogfight practice for our pilots.
Romania is one of the few countries that have signed up to a deal exempting American peacekeepers from possible prosecution at an international court. No other bases will be built in Eastern Europe until they also sign up.
