The soldiers of the "Carpathian Pumas" detachment arrived in Mali on board a TAROM aircraft.

TAROM's Boeing 737-800 (YR-BGL) aircraft provided transportation to Mali for the 120 Romanian soldiers, who are part of the second rotation of the "Carpathian Pumas" Detachment mission, in the African Republic.

The aircraft, piloted by a crew of the National Air Transport Company, took off on Thursday, April 16, from Bucharest's "Henri Coandă" airport, bound for Gao, Mali, and returned to the country on Friday, April 17.

TAROM operated a flight for the Ministry of National Defense

The flight was made at the request of the Ministry of National Defense and was completed with the support of the Embassy of Romania in Tunisia, the Embassy of Romania in Algeria, the Embassy of Romania in Senegal and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"We are in a situation that forces us to adapt, both individually and at the business level. During this period, at TAROM we tried and I think we were able to identify the opportunities that will keep our aircraft, as long as possible, wherever they are in the air. But the transport of the Romanian military to Mali represents more than a new opportunity, it was an honor to be able to offer them our support. I wish them all much success in their mission and we look forward to a healthy return home, ”said George Barbu, TAROM CEO.

The 120 soldiers, who left for Mali on Thursday, are securing the second rotation of the "Carpathian Pumas" Detachment. They participate in the UN Integrated Multidimensional Stabilization Mission in the Republic of Mali (MINUSMA).

Before moving, the military performed a 14-day isolation period and were tested for COVID-19 infection.

For the return flight to Romania, the TAROM aircraft also had a military member of the Republic of Moldova, a member of the EU Training Mission in Mali. After landing in Bucharest, the military was repatriated to the Republic of Moldova, with the support of the Romanian authorities.