Bulgaria Defense Minister Flies in US F-16 Fighter11 June 2008, Wednesday
Bulgaria's Defense Minister Nikolay Tsonev flew Wednesday for 45 minutes in a US Air Force F-16 fighter.
Tsonev visited the Graf Ignatievo air base in southern Bulgaria, where 10 US F-16 fighters are taking part in joint drills with the 15 MiG-21 and MiG 29 fighters of the Buglarian Air Force.
The fighter the Bulgarian Minister flew was piloted by officer Jose Monteagudo from 93rd Squadron of the US Air Force.
"The feeling is incredible", Tsonev said after the flight. He was praised by the US pilot for his courage and was presented with a certificate for carrying out a F-16 flight and an emblem of the 93rd Squadron of the US Air Force.
During his visit to the Graf Ignatievo Air Base, the Defense Minister also announced his staff was going to make new calculations in order to find ways to increase the payment of the Bulgarian rangers stationed abroad, who currently get paid between EUR 57 and EUR 63 per day.
Tsonev just returned from a surprise visit to Afghanistan on Monday, where he celebrated his birthday with the Bulgarian troops guarding the Kandahar airport.
The Defense Ministry is also going to take measure to provide further social benefits to the professional soldiers including free housing and free kindergarten for their kids, as well as free stay at vacation resorts.
During their meeting with Tsonev, the Bulgarian rangers in Afghanistan asked also to keep their uniforms after the service and to be provided with the opportunity to watch Bulgarian TV.
Source
http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=94045
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