Germania takes over 8-month Enhanced Air Policing mission at Mihail Kogalniceanu Base

The German Air Force detachment is taking over the Enhanced Air Policing mission in the southern area for the next eight months, operating from the Mihail Kogalniceanu military base with five Eurofighter aircraft and approximately 170 soldiers, the German Embassy in Bucharest announced.

"On 12.08.2025, at the Mihail Kogalniceanu military base, near the city of Constanta, the certification ceremony of the German detachment for NATO's Enhanced Air Policing mission in the southern area [eAPS - enhanced Air Policing South] took place in the presence of representatives of the Romanian Air Force, NATO AIRCOM and the German Embassy in Bucharest. Thus, the German detachment officially begins its eight-month mission. In total, the German Air Force is participating in this mission with five Eurofighter aircraft and approximately 170 soldiers. Thus, Germany supports for the fourth time its close ally, Romania, within NATO's eAPS mission to ensure airspace surveillance on the south-eastern flank of the Alliance," according to the German Embassy release.

Germany's Charge d'Affairs in Romania Markus Teglas expressed a warm welcome to the German detachment deployed in Romania, emphasizing that once again by participating with five Eurofighter aircraft in the Enhanced Air Policing mission in the southern area, Germany is sending a strong message, in terms of security policy, to its close partner and ally Romania, as well as to other NATO allies. He underscored the contribution to securing the Alliance's territory. The German official also thanked the German soldiers for their important commitment to the NATO eAPS mission in Romania and expressed appreciation to the Romanian partners for their hospitality and excellent cooperation.

Major General Michael Hogrebe stated that the Air Force, along with other Bundeswehr structures contributing to the eAPS mission, takes pride in sending a visible signal which proves the determination to defend every inch of the Alliance's territory. He thanked the hosts from the Romanian Air Force for the professional welcome of the German detachment and for their continued hospitality.