President Rumen Radev made demonstration flight with F-16 fighter jet (photos)

This morning, September 13, President Rumen Radev took off from Graf Ignatyevo Air Base as a co-pilot of a US Air Force F-16 fighter jet.

The Bulgarian Head of State was together with Brigadier General Tad Clark, Commander of Aviano Air Base in Italy, in the double cockpit.

During the flight the Head of State had the opportunity to assess the fighter jet's capabilities. The flight lasted about 40 minutes, after which Radev awarded the commander of the 31st Air Wing of the US Air Force with a badge of honour.

Preparations for the big air show scheduled for September 14 are already underway at Graf Ignatyevo Air Base. Today is also the dress rehearsal for the demonstrations, which will mark 20 years of Bulgaria's NATO membership and 35 years since the MiG-29s were accepted into service in Bulgaria.

Images by BNT, BTA