53rd Fighter Squadron "Warhawks"

This article is about the Romanian Air Force squadron. For the United States Air Force squadron, see 53rd Fighter Squadron.
53rd Fighter Squadron
Escadrila 53 Vânătoare
F-16 of Escadrila 53 Vânătoare conducting an alpha scramble as part of the Baltic Air Policing at Šiauliai
Active1 June 1940 – 15 December 1944
29 September 2016 – present
Country Romania
BranchRoyal Romanian Air Force
Romanian Air Force
TypeSquadron
RoleFighter
Size17 F-16AM/BM (current)
Garrison/HQRoAF 86th Air Base (Baza 86 Aeriană), Borcea, Călărași County
Nickname(s)Warhawks
Motto(s)We prey, they pray
EquipmentWorld War II:

Present:

EngagementsSecond World War
Commanders
Current
commander		Comandor Mihăiță "Mitză" Marin[1]
Insignia
53rd Fighter Squadron badge

The 53rd Fighter Squadron "Warhawks" (Romanian: Escadrila 53 Vânătoare "Warhawks") is a squadron of the Romanian Air Force, first formed on 1 June 1940, then reactivated on 29 September 2016. The squadron currently operates the F-16AM/BM fighter aircraft.[2]

  1. ^ "Pe lângă critici și controverse se uită un element-cheie: F-16 e pentru România mai mult decât un avion superior MiG-21 LanceR". DefenseRomania (in Romanian). 12 January 2022.
  2. ^ "Escadrila 53 (FAR)". f-16.net.