The 71st Air Base participates in the defense of the national airspace.

Brief history: The tradition of aviation in Transylvania has its roots in the tumultuous history of the Romanian wings. Under the sign of the transition from war to peace organization, the Câmpia Turzii military airfield was built by the Romanian Air Force in 1952-1953, with the idea of ​​restructuring the military aviation and equipping it with aircraft designed to attack ground targets.

Until 1958-1959, it was declared a reserve airfield for the aviation unit in Craiova, for the deployment of applications with the MiG-15 aircraft. During this period, the runway and the barracks buildings were in the care of a small formation that ensured security and fuel supply.

Under these conditions, it was possible for the planes that participated in the military parades organized in Cluj and Târgu Mureş to take off from here in 1964.

In 1969, an anti-aircraft artillery division was established for the direct defense of the Câmpia Turzii airfield.

In 1971, the 376th Aerodrome Command was established on this airfield, consisting of an Air Navigation and Transmission Point company, a security platoon and a housekeeping platoon. The missions of this formation consist of ensuring the availability of the runway and executing missions of particular importance.

In order to increase the mobility, operationality and effectiveness of the combat device of the army and military aviation based on the Order of the Commander of Military Aviation, no. 14 of 17.03.1982 establishes that the personnel of the 376th Command of the Câmpia Turzii Aerodrome will be part of the 48th Fighter Squadron of the 91st Fighter Squadron, deployed at Deveselu, Olt County. The same Order specifies that a core of cadres and military personnel will operate in the Câmpia Turzii garrison, appointed by the squadron commander, to ensure the availability of the airfield and to monitor the timely completion of the investments started in this garrison.

By O.G. no. 14 of 17.03.1982 and by the Order of the General Staff no. PR 003259 of 11.06.1982, starting with 30.06.1982 the 48th Fighter Squadron acquires the status of a military unit (U.M. no. 01980), deployed on the Deveselu airfield until the necessary capabilities are achieved to carry out the activity on the Câmpia Turzii airfield. From 30.06.1982 at Câmpia Turzii the "heart began to beat" of the future 71st Air Base.

By O.G. no. 10/22.02.1086 and by the Order of the General Staff no. 33/00535 of 19.05.1986, starting with 30.06.1986 the 48th Fighter Squadron is transformed into the 71st Fighter and Bomber Aviation Regiment.

After five hard years of special efforts and sacrifices on the part of the entire staff, on June 9, 1987 the first dual-pilot aircraft belonging to our unit landed on the Câmpia Turzii airfield. After a few more days, the other forces and means belonging to the unit were deployed from Deveselu, which allowed the first training flight to be carried out on the Câmpia Turzii airfield on July 3, 1987.

On March 2, 1988, the unit was deployed to the Târgu Mureş airfield to carry out its flight activities. This measure was imposed by the execution of infrastructure works that will be completed in the spring of 1990.

The events of December 1989 found our unit with forces and means on two airfields, Câmpia Turzii and Târgu Mureş, but through impeccable organization and discipline, it was possible to face all the challenges.

In the following years, the army, the aviation, implicitly our unit as well as the entire Romanian society went through an extensive process of transformation and modernization as a result of the declared desire to integrate into the structures of the European Union and the North Atlantic.

Thus, in accordance with the provisions of the Supreme Council of National Defense Decision no. 0056 of 06.10.1994 as well as of Law no. 41 /1990 regarding the organization and functioning of the Ministry of National Defense, on 01.06.1995 the 71st Fighter and Bomber Aviation Base and the 71st Fighter Aviation Group were established from the same garrison: Câmpia Turzii.

On January 24, 2001, our unit was equipped with the first MIG-21 “LANCER” aircraft, air-to-ground variant and later air-to-air variant.

The 71st Fighter and Bomber Aviation Base and the 71st Fighter Aviation Group operated in this structure until 2002 when, in accordance with the Order of the Minister of National Defense no. M.S./25 transmitted by the Chief of the S.M.F.A. with no. S.H. 435/08.03.2002 regarding the abolition / transformation / establishment of some units from the peacetime composition of the Romanian Army, during the period 01.03. – 30.06.2002, the 71st Fighter and Bomber Aviation Base integrated the 71st Fighter Aviation Group, Dn. 401st Anti-aircraft Artillery, Battalion 70, 72, Company 71, 73 Radar.

During the same period, the 58th Sibiu Helicopter Group was transformed into a helicopter squadron