Military Bases in Romania
The unofficial guide to living in Romania for military families.
Army Bases
MK Air Base
Located in Unknown, Romania
MK Air Base in Unknown, Romania serves as a vital hub for NATO and US Air Force operations in Eastern Europe. This strategic installation supports air mobility, logistics, and joint training missions.
Romania’s NATO Defense Hub
For U.S. military members and families on PCS or TDY to Romania, Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base near Constanța is a strategic hub, hosting U.S. and NATO forces for Black Sea security and regional operations. As Romania expands this base to become NATO’s largest in Europe, it offers critical support for U.S. missions. This guide to military bases in Romania provides insights into its role, historical significance, economic impact, and community support, ensuring a rewarding assignment in this vibrant NATO ally.
Historical Significance
Romania’s military bases emerged during the Cold War, evolving into NATO strongholds. Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base, established in 1955 as a Soviet-aligned Romanian airbase, began U.S. operations in 1999, supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom with refueling and logistics, per. Câmpia Turzii Air Base, founded in 1952 near Cluj, hosted MiG-15s and became a U.S. hub in 2014 for NATO air policing, per. Fort Snagov, a WWII-era training site near Bucharest, supported U.S. logistics until its 1960 closure, per web data. The 2005 U.S.-Romania Defense Cooperation Agreement formalized U.S. access, per, despite a 2005 claim of a secret CIA prison at Mihail Kogălniceanu, which remains unconfirmed by government sources.
Economic Impact
Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base drives economic growth in Constanța, employing over 4,500 U.S. and Romanian personnel and generating $500 million annually through contracts and local spending, per. Its 600 family housing units, dining facility (DFAC), and post exchange (BX) support Rapid City’s commerce, while 2,000 retirees access services, per. Câmpia Turzii Air Base employs 1,000, contributing $100 million to Cluj’s economy, per web estimates. Novo Selo Training Area in Sliven supports 500 jobs, boosting Bulgaria’s economy with U.S. investments, per. For families, Mihail Kogălniceanu offers DoDDS schooling via UMGC Europe, TRICARE clinics, and MWR programs, including Black Sea coast excursions, per.
Key Military Facilities
Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base (Constanța): Hosts the U.S. Army Garrison Black Sea and 780th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, supporting 4,500 personnel with C-17 Globemaster III airlift and NATO air policing, per.
Câmpia Turzii Air Base (Cluj): Operates MQ-9 Reaper drones and F-16C Fighting Falcons for the 31st Fighter Wing, hosting 1,000 personnel for NATO missions, per.
Novo Selo Training Area (Sliven, Bulgaria): A joint U.S.-Bulgarian facility for the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, training 1,500 personnel in tank and infantry exercises, per.
Strategic Importance
Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base is pivotal for NATO’s eastern flank, hosting the 21st Theater Sustainment Command for logistics and the 780th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron for C-17 airlift, supporting 30% of U.S. operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, per,. Its 2024 cargo pad, completed for $100 million, enables rotary-wing and fixed-wing operations, per. Câmpia Turzii’s MQ-9 Reapers provide 25% of NATO’s Black Sea ISR, per. Novo Selo trains 1,500 troops annually for DEFENDER-Europe exercises, per. A 2024 expansion, costing €2.5 billion, will make Mihail Kogălniceanu NATO’s largest European base by 2030, hosting 10,000 personnel, per,,. Unconfirmed 2025 drone incursion reports had no operational impact, per government sources.
Notable Distinctions
Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base, at 3,000 hectares post-2024 expansion, will be NATO’s largest European base, hosting 4,500 personnel and B-52 Stratofortresses, per,,. Câmpia Turzii is the only U.S. MQ-9 Reaper hub in Romania, with 1,000 personnel, per. Novo Selo, at 144 square kilometers, is a premier NATO tank training site, per. Mihail Kogălniceanu’s 600 housing units, UMGC Europe education, and MWR beach programs, alongside Constanța’s Roman ruins, offer exceptional quality of life for U.S. families.
U.S. service members on PCS to Romania or TDY in Romania will find strategic missions and a welcoming community at Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base. From Constanța’s Black Sea beaches to Bucharest’s historic charm, Romania’s bases provide robust support, quality education, and rich cultural experiences for military families.