TheCraiova Air Base, also known as the67th Air Base, was an air base of theRomanian Air Force located inCraiova at theCraiova International Airport. It functioned as a military base from 1940, last being organized as the 67th Advanced Operational Training and Flight Test until 2004. The 322nd Aviation Maintenance Centre also functioned at the base between 1970 and 2004.

Craiova Air Base
Baza Aeriană Craiova
Craiova,Dolj County,Romania
Retired MiG-21 and IAR-93 aircraft
Site information
Controlled by	Romanian Air Force
Location
Coordinates	44°19′05″N023°53′19″E / 44.31806°N 23.88861°E /44.31806; 23.88861
Site history
Built	1938
In use	1940–2004
Airfield information
Identifiers	IATA: CRA,ICAO: LRCV
Elevation	191 metres (627 ft)AMSL
Runways Direction Length and surface 09/27 2,500 metres (8,200 ft) Asphalt

Currently, the military base of the Craiova Airport works as the Center for Research, Innovation and Flight Tests (Centrul de cercetare, inovare și încercări în zbor).^[1]

In 1914, theMinistry of War gave the order to theAviation Command to survey and identify locations where reserve aerodromes could be set up. One of the surveyed locations was Craiova,^[2] where an aerodrome was set up in 1916 on theCraiova Hippodrome. Duringthe war, various missions were flown withFarman aircraft from this aerodrome.^{[3][better source needed]}

In 1938, KingCarol II issued a decree for the establishment of an airport near Craiova. The new airport was to serve both a public role and a military one during an eventual war.^[4] During the war, it was the headquarters of the 3rd Bomber Flotilla. In 1942, the 3rd Light Bomber Group was formed within the Flotilla. The Group consisted of the 73rd Squadron (equipped withPZL.23 Karaś) and the 74th Squadron (equipped withPotez 63), and the 81st Squadron (equipped withIAR 37) which remained stationed atBuzău.^[5] The Group participated in the campaign on theEastern Front inUkraine, being equipped withJunkers Ju 87 dive bombers and renamed to the 3rd Dive Bomber Group. In 1944, the Group was deployed to thefront in Moldavia, in theIași area. After the23 August coup d'état, the 3rd Group was relocated toIanca, then returned to Craiova and merged with the 6th Dive Bomber Group.^[6]

In 1948, the 2nd Fighter Group was moved to the base, being renamed the 2nd Aviation Regiment a year later. The Regiment was equipped withMesserschmitt Bf 109G,IAR 80, and IAR 81 fighters.^[3] Between 1950 and 1952, aconcrete runway was constructed at the base.^[4] In 1952, the 158th Jet Fighter Aviation Regiment was moved to Craiova fromClinceni, and was equipped with SovietMiG-15 fighters.^[7] The 158th Regiment was renamed to the 67th Fighter Aviation Regiment in 1959,^[8] being equipped withMiG-17F and PF fighters. From 1979, the Regiment began being equipped withIAR 93 aircraft,^[3] and by 1989, the 67th Fighter-Bomber Regiment had two squadrons of IAR 93s.^[9]

After the retirement of the MiG-15 and MiG-17 fighters, the unit was equipped withMiG-21s.^[3] Around the mid-1990s, the Regiment was also renamed to the 67th Air Base following the restructuring of the Romanian Air Force.^[10] After persistent problems and thecivil wars in Yugoslavia, production of the IAR 93 was stopped and the aircraft was retired in 1998.^[9] The IAR 93 was replaced withIAR 99s transferred from Ianca.^[10]

The air base functioned until 2001, being transformed into the "67th Advanced Operational Training and Flight Test Center", and was eventually disbanded in 2003. The 322nd Aviation Maintenance Centre, which was established in 1970, was disbanded in 2004.^[3]

Founded in 1974 as the Flight Test Center,^[1] the research center worked together withAvioane Craiova on theIAR 93 andIAR 99 projects.^[11] In 1994, the center changed its name to the current "Center for Research, Innovation and Flight Tests" (CCIIZ) and was integrated into the Army Endowment Department.^[1] The task of the center is to conduct research, development, testing, and evaluation of aeronautical products that are to enter service with theRomanian Armed Forces.^[12]

• Penciu, Viorel (2000).Monografia Bazei Aeriene Craiova (in Romanian). Craiova: Sitech.
• Sandachi, Paul (2001).Aviația de luptă reactivă în România: 1951 - 2001. Muzeul Aviației.