Romanian air force Cmdr. Petrus Marian, 71st AB commander; Cmdr. Adrian Motorga, 711th Squadron commander; and U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Christopher Austin, 510th Fighter Squadron commander, greeted the crowd as a dozen Romanian reporters captured the ceremony's events.

From April 10-17, 71st AB and 31st Fighter Wing Airmen will conduct bilateral training to enhance interoperability and readiness through combined air operations, including air-to-air, air-to-ground and joint tactical air controller training.

"This exercise has been planned for over a year now," said Austin. "We're here to conduct range operations and joint exercise sorties with our NATO partners to enhance interoperability."

Six 31st FW F-16 Fighting Falcons and several MiG-21 Lancers will be flown by their respective country's pilots throughout the training. Team Aviano maintainers, crew chiefs, firefighters, aerospace ground equipment technicians, air traffic controllers, and supply, logistics and support personnel will also participate.

Dacian Viper 2014 will also aid the Romanian air force in gaining knowledge about the F-16 flying program. In 2013, Romania signed a contract to acquire 12 F-16s from Portugal to replace their MiG-21s.

The exercise is the latest example of the high level of military cooperation between the NATO partners and reflects the strength of the partnership, according to officials.

CAMPIA TURZII, Romania -- by Staff Sgt. R.J. Biermann
31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

• Senior Airman Bryan White, 31st Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels distribution operator, refuels an F-16 Fighting Falcon at Campia Turzii, Romania, April 16, 2014, during Exercise Dacian Viper 2014. The exercise enhanced interoperability and readiness of the U.S. and Romanian air forces. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. R.J. Biermann) PHOTO DETAILS / DOWNLOAD HI-RES 5 of 22 Senior Airman Bryan White, 31st Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels distribution operator, refuels an F-16 Fighting Falcon at Campia Turzii, Romania, April 16, 2014, during Exercise Dacian Viper 2014. The exercise enhanced interoperability and readiness of the U.S. and Romanian air forces. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. R.J. Biermann)
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• Staff Sgt. Anthony Quatraro, 31st Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels distribution supervisor, runs a fuel hose to an F-16 Fighting Falcon at Campia Turzii, Romania, April 16, 2014, during Exercise Dacian Viper 2014. U.S. and Romanian air force pilots conducted air-to-air operations during the exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. R.J. Biermann)
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• A salvageable part from a broken F-16 Fighting Falcon rudder is prepared to be placed on a new rudder at Campia Turzii, Romania, April 16, 2014. Airmen from the 31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron replaced the broken rudder to ensure the F-16 was operationally ready. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. R.J. Biermann)
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• Airmen from the 31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron install a new rudder on an F-16 Fighting Falcon at Campia Turzii, Romania, April 16, 2014. The original rudder was damaged, making the aircraft inoperable. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. R.J. Biermann)
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• Airmen from the 31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron hold a new F-16 Fighting Falcon rudder in place before it’s fastened in place at Campia Turzii, Romania, April 16, 2014. A rudder allows an aircraft to turn in flight. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. R.J. Biermann)
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• Romanian air force Cmdr. Adrian Motorga, 711th Squadron commander, shares his thoughts during the closing ceremony of Exercise Dacian Viper 2014 at Campia Turzii, Romania, April 17, 2014. The exercise, which began April 10, enhanced interoperability and readiness between the NATO partners through combined air operations between F-16 Fighting Falcons from Aviano Air Base, Italy, and MiG-21 Lancers from the 71st AB. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. R.J. Biermann)
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• Tech. Sgt. Ryan Edwards, 510th Fighter Squadron life support NCO in charge fits Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta with a helmet and mask before his incentive ride in an F-16 Fighting Falcon. Ponta co-piloted the F-16 with Maj. Dustin Brown, 510th FS F-16 pilot. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. R.J. Biermann)

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• A Romanian air force MiG-21 Lancer takes off from Campia Turzii, Romania, April 17, 2014, during Exercise Dacian Viper 2014. The week-long, bilateral training exercise between the U.S. and Romanian air forces concluded April 17. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. R.J. Biermann)
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• Two Romanian air force MiG-21 Lancers (left, right) and a U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon fly over Campia Turzii, Romania, April 17, 2014, during Exercise Dacian Viper 2014. U.S. and Romanian air force jets flew several air-to-air missions together during the week-long exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. R.J. Biermann)
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• A Romanian air force MiG-21 Lancer deploys a parachute to slow its speed upon landing at Campia Turzii, Romania, April 17, 2014. The parachute acts as an additional breaking system for the aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. R.J. Biermann)
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• Two Romanian air force MiG-21 Lancers fly over Campia Turzii, Romania, April 17, 2014. U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons and MiG-21s conducted air-to-air training during Exercise Dacian Viper 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. R.J. Biermann)
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• Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta exits an F-16 Fighting Falcon after an incentive ride at Campia Turzii, Romania, April 17, 2014. Ponta visited the 71st Air Base during the closing ceremony of Exercise Dacian Viper 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. R.J. Biermann)
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• Capt. Nicolas DeWulf, 510th Fighter Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot, laughs while flying a MiG-21 Lancer simulator at Campia Turzii, Romania, April 14, 2014. Various American pilots, including DeWulf, had the opportunity to fly in the MiG-21 during Dacian Viper 2014, an interoperability exercise involving American and Romanian militaries. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. R.J. Biermann)
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• Donica Petrica, 711th Squadron maintainer, fits Capt. Nicolas DeWulf, 510th Fighter Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot, in a helmet at Campia Turzii, Romania, April 14, 2014. The exercise, which began April 10, enhanced interoperability and readiness between the NATO partners through combined air operations between F-16 Fighting Falcons from Aviano Air Base, Italy, and MiG-21 Lancers from the 71st Air Base. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. R.J. Biermann)
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• Romanian air force Lt. Col. Marius Iova, 711th Squadron MiG-21 Lancer pilot, right, familiarizes Capt. Justin Bellamy, 510th Fighter Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot, with the MiG-21 Lancer cockpit at Campia Turzii, Romania, April 14, 2014. Various American pilots had the opportunity to fly in the MiG-21 during Dacian Viper 2014, an interoperability exercise involving American and Romanian militaries. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. R.J. Biermann)
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• Senior Airman Benjamin Gipson, 31st Civil Engineer Squadron heavy equipment operator, uses a sweeper to clear debris on a parking apron at Campia Turzii, April 14, 2014. The sweeper vacuums up small rocks and other items that could destroy an aircraft’s engine while on the flightline. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. R.J. Biermann)
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• Airman 1st Class Corey Waller, 31st Security Forces Squadron member, provides security for F-16 Fighting Falcons at Campia Turzii, Romania, April 14, 2014. Waller and nearly 150 other Airmen from Aviano Air Base, Italy, visited the 71st Air Base for Exercise Dacian Viper 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. R.J. Biermann)
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• Five F-16 Fighting Falcons sit on the parking apron at Campia Turzii, Romania, April 14, 2014, during Exercise Dacian Viper 2014. U.S. and Romanian air force pilots conducted air-to-air operations during the week-long exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. R.J. Biermann)
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• Capt. Whit Collins, 510th Fighter Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot, prepares for his flight at Campia Turzii, Romania, April 16, 2014. Six F-16s from Aviano Air Base, Italy, arrived at Campia Turzii for Exercise Dacian Viper 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. R.J. Biermann)
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• Staff Sgt. Jared Carlisle, 435th Construction and Training Squadron aircraft arresting system technician, spaces out small wheels on an arresting system cable at Campia Turzii, Romania, April 16, 2014. The system catches an aircraft’s tail hook when its brake system is inoperable. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. R.J. Biermann)
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• Staff Sgt. Elijah Samala, 31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, checks the intake on an F-16 Fighting Falcon at Campia Turzii, Romania, April 16, 2014, after a flying mission during Exercise Dacian Viper 2014. Crew chiefs check for cracks and oil leaks after each flight to prevent further damage. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. R.J. Biermann)
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• Staff Sgt. Elijah Samala, 31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, checks the intake on an F-16 Fighting Falcon at Campia Turzii, Romania, April 16, 2014, after a flying mission during Exercise Dacian Viper 2014. Crew chiefs check for cracks and oil leaks after each flight to prevent further damage. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. R.J. Biermann) PHOTO DETAILS / DOWNLOAD HI-RES 4 of 22 Staff Sgt. Elijah Samala, 31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, checks the intake on an F-16 Fighting Falcon at Campia Turzii, Romania, April 16, 2014, after a flying mission during Exercise Dacian Viper 2014. Crew chiefs check for cracks and oil leaks after each flight to prevent further damage. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. R.J. Biermann)
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• An F-16 Fighting Falcon arrives at Campia Turzii, Romania, April 9, 2014, for Dacian Viper 2014. The exercise aims to enhance interoperability and readiness through combined air operations, including air-to-air, air-to-ground and joint tactical air controller training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. R.J. Biermann)
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• An F-16 Fighting Falcon arrives at Campia Turzii, Romania, April 9, 2014, for Dacian Viper 2014. The exercise aims to enhance interoperability and readiness through combined air operations, including air-to-air, air-to-ground and joint tactical air controller training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. R.J. Biermann)
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• Firefighters assigned to the 31st Civil Engineer Squadron, aid an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot during an arresting cable system test April 9, 2014, at Campia Turzii, Romania. The system is designed to catch an aircraft’s tail hook in the event its brake system is inoperable. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. R.J. Biermann)
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• Tech. Sgt. Paul Garcia, a 31st Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, radios to other firefighters during an arresting cable system test April 9, 2014, at Campia Turzii, Romania. The system is tested before air operations begin. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. R.J. Biermann)
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• Senior Airman Adrian Connors, 31st Maintenance Squadron crash recovery technician, signals an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot April 9, 2014, at Campia Turzii, Romania, during an arresting cable system test. The system catches an aircraft’s tail hook when its brake system is inoperable. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. R.J. Biermann)
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• A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon takes off from Campia Turzii, Romania, during Exercise Dacian Viper 2014 on April 10, 2014. The exercise aims to enhance interoperability and readiness through combined air operations, including air-to-air, air-to-ground, and joint tactical air controller training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. R.J. Biermann)
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• A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon takes off from Campia Turzii, Romania, during Exercise Dacian Viper 2014 on April 10, 2014. The exercise aims to enhance interoperability and readiness through combined air operations, including air-to-air, air-to-ground, and joint tactical air controller training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. R.J. Biermann)
  140410 f nd912 085
  
• A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon takes off from Campia Turzii, Romania, during Exercise Dacian Viper 2014 on April 10, 2014. The exercise aims to enhance interoperability and readiness through combined air operations, including air-to-air, air-to-ground, and joint tactical air controller training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. R.J. Biermann)
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• Romanian air force Cmdr. Petrus Marian, 71st Air Base commander, addresses Romanian reporters after the opening ceremony for Exercise Dacian Viper 2014 at Campia Turzii, Romania, April 10, 2014. The exercise will be held from April 10-17, 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. R.J. Biermann)
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• U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Christopher Austin, 510th Fighter Squadron commander, addresses Romanian reporters after the opening ceremony for Exercise Dacian Viper 2014 at Campia Turzii, Romania April 10, 2014. The exercise will be held from April 10-17, 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. R.J. Biermann)
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• U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Christopher Austin, 510th Fighter Squadron commander, addresses Romanian reporters after the opening ceremony for Exercise Dacian Viper 2014 at Campia Turzii, Romania April 10, 2014. The exercise will be held from April 10-17, 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. R.J. Biermann)
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• Senior Airman Teric Melhaff, 31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, assists an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot, with pre-flight checks at Campia Turzii, Romania, April 10, 2014. Aviano Air Base maintainers, crew chiefs, firefighters, aerospace ground equipment technicians, air traffic controllers, and supply, logistics and support personnel arrived at Campia Turzii to participate in Exercise Dacian Viper 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. R.J. Biermann)
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• Senior Airman Teric Melhaff, 31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, conducts a pre-flight check at Campia Turzii, Romania, April 10, 2014. More than 160 Aviano Air Base personnel arrived at Campia Turzii to participate in Exercise Dacian Viper 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. R.J. Biermann)
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• Senior Airman Teric Melhaff, 31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, directs an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot during Exercise Dacian Viper 2014, at Campia Turzii, Romania, April 10, 2014. The exercise aims to strengthen the cooperative efforts of the U.S. and Romanian air forces. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. R.J. Biermann)
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• Senior Airman Teric Melhaff, 31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, directs an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot during Exercise Dacian Viper 2014, at Campia Turzii, Romania, April 10, 2014. The exercise aims to strengthen the cooperative efforts of the U.S. and Romanian air forces. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. R.J. Biermann) PHOTO DETAILS / DOWNLOAD HI-RES 2 of 28 Senior Airman Teric Melhaff, 31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, directs an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot during Exercise Dacian Viper 2014, at Campia Turzii, Romania, April 10, 2014. The exercise aims to strengthen the cooperative efforts of the U.S. and Romanian air forces. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. R.J. Biermann)
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• A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon takes off from Campia Turzii, Romania, during Exercise Dacian Viper 2014 on April 10, 2014. The exercise aims to enhance interoperability and readiness through combined air operations, including air-to-air, air-to-ground, and joint tactical air controller training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. R.J. Biermann)
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• A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon takes off from Campia Turzii, Romania, during Exercise Dacian Viper 2014 on April 10, 2014. The exercise aims to enhance interoperability and readiness through combined air operations, including air-to-air, air-to-ground, and joint tactical air controller training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. R.J. Biermann)
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• U.S. Airmen with the 31st Fighter Wing raise the American flag April 10, 2014, during the opening ceremony for Dacian Viper 2014 at Campia Turzii, Romania. Dacian Viper is a bilateral air exercise designed to enhance interoperability and readiness between the U.S. Air Force and the Romanian air force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. R.J. Biermann/Released)
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• U.S. and Romanian airmen salute as the Romanian flag is raised April 10, 2014, during the opening ceremony for Dacian Viper 2014 at Campia Turzii, Romania. Dacian Viper is a bilateral air exercise designed to enhance interoperability and readiness between the U.S. Air Force and the Romanian air force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. R.J. Biermann/Released)
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• U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Hector Chacon, a nondestructive inspection journeyman with the 31st Maintenance Squadron, use an oil analysis unit to test the engine oil from an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft, April 9, 2014, at Campia Turzii, Romania, during exercise Dacian Viper 2014. Dacian Viper is a bilateral air exercise designed to enhance interoperability and readiness between the U.S. Air Force and the Romanian air force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. R.J. Biermann/Released)
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• U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Hector Chacon, a nondestructive inspection journeyman with the 31st Maintenance Squadron, use an oil analysis unit to test the engine oil from an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft, April 9, 2014, at Campia Turzii, Romania, during exercise Dacian Viper 2014. Dacian Viper is a bilateral air exercise designed to enhance interoperability and readiness between the U.S. Air Force and the Romanian air force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. R.J. Biermann/Released)
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