American Black Hawk and Apache combat helicopters will be relocated to Romania. The transfer is part of the strengthening of NATO's eastern flank
Black Hawk and Apache helicopters of the United States Army will be relocated to Romania from Greece, as part of a rotation of American forces deployed in Europe. The aircraft will transit Bulgarian airspace on June 2 and 3.
American Black Hawk combat helicopters will be relocated to Romania. PHOTO: Profimedia
According to a press release from the Ministry of Defense of Bulgaria, the helicopters will make a stopover in the area of the Novo Selo military training ground, before continuing their journey to Romania. These are UH-60 Black Hawk and AH-64 Apache machines, used both for military transport and for attack and air support missions.
The Bulgarian Ministry of Defense stated that the flights will be carried out on pre-approved routes, in compliance with all air safety procedures and measures aimed at reducing the noise impact on the population.
The relocation is part of Operation Atlantic Resolve, the program through which the United States strengthens its military presence on NATO's eastern flank, in the context of security tensions generated by the war in Ukraine.
Through this operation, Washington regularly rotates troops and military equipment to allied states in Central and Eastern Europe, including Romania.
The relocation of the helicopters takes place in a broader context of discussions on the redeployment of some American forces in Europe.
According to an analysis published in May by Politico, Romania, Poland and the Baltic states have expressed their interest in hosting a larger number of US troops, both through public statements and through diplomatic efforts and lobbying activities.
In early May, President Donald Trump's administration announced the withdrawal of approximately 5,000 US troops from Germany. According to information provided by the Pentagon, the withdrawal process is to take place starting in 2027.
Even after this reduction, approximately 30,000 US troops will remain stationed in Germany.
Experts cited by Politico believe that Romania and Poland already have the infrastructure and space needed to host additional US military personnel.
In contrast, in the Baltic states – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania – the significant expansion of the US military presence would require additional investment and the development of new logistical and military facilities.
The relocation of Black Hawk and Apache helicopters to Romania is seen as a new signal of the strategic importance that the country has in NATO's security architecture on the Eastern flank of the Alliance.
