Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 News
    
        Newsroom

    Photos

    Week in Photos

    Air Force TV

    Commentaries

    Features

    Art

    About Us
    
        Air Force Senior Leaders
    
        SECAF

    CSAF

    CMSAF

    Biographies

    Fact Sheets

    SECAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library
    
        CSAF Leadership Library 2022

    CSAF Leadership Library 2021

    CSAF Reading List Pre-2020 Archive
    
        2018 CSAF Reading List

    2017 CSAF Reading List

    2016 CSAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library 2023

    CMSAF Leadership Library

    50 Years of the CMSAF

    Adjunct Professors

    Air Force Strategic Documents

    Arctic Strategy

    Empowered Airmen

    State Licensure Portability

    Careers

    AF Federal Advisory Committees

    AF 75th Anniversary

    Policy Updates

    AF Content Management

    Contact Us

    AF Sites
    
        Site RegistrationU.S. Air Force LogoAir Force

        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. hosts a staff discussion with Chief of the Romanian Air Force Staff Lt. Gen. Viorel Pană at the Pentagon, Arlington, Va., June 27, 2023.Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. hosts a staff discussion with Chief of the Romanian Air Force Staff Lt. Gen. Viorel Pană at the Pentagon, Arlington, Va., June 27, 2023. The visit recognized Romania as a valued NATO ally and advanced the strong and enduring bilateral defense relationship. (U.S. Air Force photo by Andy Morataya)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res
        


        Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. hosts 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.Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. hosts 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. The visit recognized Romania as a valued NATO ally and advanced the strong and enduring bilateral defense relationship. (U.S. Air Force photo by Andy Morataya)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res
        


        Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. hosts 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.Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. hosts 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. The visit recognized Romania as a valued NATO ally and advanced the strong and enduring bilateral defense relationship. (U.S. Air Force photo by Andy Morataya)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res
        


        Chief of the Romanian Air Staff Lt. Gen. Viorel Pană and Mrs. Monica Pană meet with Col. Scott Gunn, Vice Commander of the 80th Flying Training Wing and Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training (ENJJPT), 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)Chief of the Romanian Air Force Staff Lt. Gen. Viorel Pană and Mrs. Monica Pană meet with Vice Commander, 80th Flying Training Wing and Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Col. Scott Gunn, 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)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res
        


        Air University Commander and President Lt. Gen. Andrea Tullos welcomes Chief of the Romanian Air Force Staff Lt. Gen. Viorel Pană and his delegation to Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., Jun. 30, 2023. Pană, a 1996 graduate from AU’s Squadron Officer School, will be inducted into the Chief of Staff of the Air Force and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force International Honor Roll. International Honor Roll recognizes former AU students who rose to the equivalent level of Chief of Staff or higher or Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force or higher in their respective services. (U.S. Air Force photo by Melanie Rodgers Cox)Air University Commander and President Lt. Gen. Andrea Tullos welcomes Chief of the Romanian Air Force Staff Lt. Gen. Viorel Pană and his delegation to Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., Jun. 30, 2023. Pană, a 1996 graduate from AU’s Squadron Officer School, was inducted into the Chief of Staff of the Air Force and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force International Honor Roll in 2022. The International Honor Roll recognizes former AU students who rose to the equivalent level of Chief of Staff or higher or Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force or higher in their respective services. (U.S. Air Force photo by Melanie Rodgers Cox)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res

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 PanăPublished June 30, 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)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res

    










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.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)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res

    









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)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res
    
    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)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res
    
    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.
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res

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)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res
    
    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 and delegation tour the flightline at 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 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)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res
    
    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)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res
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)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)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res

    









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.”LR 



USAF 



AF 



Air Force 



Gen. CQ Brown Jr. 



CSAF 



Romanian Air Force 



bilateral defense relationship 



NATO 



Legion of Merit 



JB Anacostia-Bolling 



Arlington 



Baltic states 



F-16 Fighting Falcon 



F-35 Lightning II 



Sheppard AFB 



Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training program 



Maxwell AFB 



Air University 



Dannelly Field 



Alabama National Guard 



State Partnership Program 



KC-135 Stratotanker

Related Links
        Air University recognizes Romanian Air Force leader’s academic, career achievements Featured News
        Senior Leader Priorities
                DAF leaders talk budget, reoptimizing the force
                    
                    DAF leaders speak at National Character and Leadership Symposium
                    
                    DAF members recognized during BEYA STEM awards
                    
                    DAF senior enlisted advisors discuss Airmen, Guardians in the fight
                    
                    SecAF Kendall AFA Warfare Symposium Q&A: Reoptimizing for Great Power CompetitionInnovation
                DAF delivers lethality at the speed of data during Project Convergence Capstone 4
                    
                    DAF welcomes industry partners to HQ development program
                    
                    DAF announces Spark Tank 2024 finalists
                    
                    Chief Digital, Artificial Intelligence Office to host hackathon in Hawaii
                    
                    AFWERX accepting applications for spring 2024 fellowshipMAJCOM News
                Air Combat Command welcomes new commander
                    
                    USAFE-AFAFRICA commander discusses Integrated Air, Missile Defense during Munich Security Conference
                    
                    Flosi to AFMC family: Embrace change, make every day count
                    
                    AMC rises to increasing global tension
                    
                    USAFE-AFAFRICA commander emphasizes five focus areas during AFA Warfare Symposium
 Quick Links
AccessibilityContact UsEqual OpportunityFOIA | Privacy | Section 508Information QualityInspector GeneralJAG Court-Martial DocketLink DisclaimerNo FEAR ActOpen GovernmentOSI Tip LinePlain LanguageQuestionsResilienceRSSSite MapVeterans Crisis LineCareers
Join the Air ForceAir Force BenefitsAir Force CareersAir Force ReserveAir National GuardCivilian ServiceConnect
            Get Social with Us
            
            Official United States Air Force Website
    Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil