General Inspectorate of Aviation (Romania)

Following the Second World War, it was decided to form an aviation structure that can serve the civil society. In this sense, the Air Transport Flotilla was established on 20 December 1948 at the Dudești-Cioplea airfield. Between 1949 and 1960, the unit was based on the Popești-Leordeni aerodrome, then it was moved to the Otopeni airport until 1973. From 1979 on, it is located at the Aurel Vlaicu International Airport. On 1 May 2008, the unit was reorganized by establishing the Aviation Inspectorate and four special aviation units subordinate to it located in Bucharest, Cluj Napoca, Iași, and Tulcea. Starting from 15 May the same year, the unit became operational. ==Missions==

• Search and rescue missions. • Humanitarian and community missions. • Monitoring road traffic. • Other special designation missions in cooperation with the Romanian Police, Gendarmerie or Romanian Intelligence Service. ==Structure and equipment==

Besides the five Special Aviation units (located in Bucharest, Caransebeș, Cluj-Napoca, Iași and Tulcea), the Inspectorate also has a Training and Development Detachment located in Bucharest (Detașamentul de Instruire și Perfecționare București), and an Aeromedical Detachment (Detașamentul Aeromedical). Aeromedical Detachment The Aeromedical Detachment, is a structure subordinated to the General Inspectorate of Aviation tasked with humanitarian life-saving missions. It performs flight missions as the air operator of the SMURD. operated by SMURD participating in Exercise Clean Care 2024. In 2021, seven S-70M Black Hawk built by PZL Mielec were purchased. A total of 12 Black Hawks desired. Initially planned to be retired from service in 2029, the Mil Mi-8 and Mi-17 helicopters were retired earlier from service in 2022. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent international sanctions imposed on Russia, usual maintenance and overhaul arrangements for Russian-built helicopters became increasingly constrained. The helicopters had been in service for over three decades. In addition, the only two IAR-316B light helicopters were also withdrawn from service in 2023 and 2024 respectively due to the expiry of its operational life and the limited number of airframes remaining in service. First Black Hawk was delivered in November 2023, with the last being delivered in December. alongside two multi-role aircraft. Currently, it is unknown exactly what type of helicopters or aircraft will be purchased. ==References==