Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov announced that the mission of the U.S. military aircraft deployed in Bulgaria has officially concluded, while also confirming that the Bulgarian Armed Forces are entering the wildfire season with expanded aerial capabilities and fully prepared crews.
Speaking after an inspection of operational readiness at the 24th Krumovo Air Base, Stoyanov said the final American aircraft departed Bulgaria on Sunday afternoon, marking the end of the deployment. “Yesterday was the last plane that took off at around 2:00 p.m., so the mission of the American aircraft in Bulgaria is over,” he said.
The minister noted that the withdrawal was carried out in accordance with the Bulgarian government's decision and thanked the United States for respecting Sofia's position. “Our colleagues and strategic partners respected the decision of the Council of Ministers and respected our view on the matter,” Stoyanov stated, referring to the June 24 decision announced by Prime Minister Rumen Radev that all U.S. aircraft stationed at Vasil Levski Airport would leave the country by the end of June while maintaining the United States as a key strategic partner. Before the final departure, four of the aircraft had already left the airport, with the remaining planes scheduled to leave in stages.
