At 16:22, the CAOC-TJ (Combined Air Operation Center of Torrejon), ordered the immediate take-off - in technical jargon "scramble" - of the two Eurofighter fighters.
The two airplanes that left the Grosseto airport in a few minutes, under the control of the air defense radar, assured by the Italian Air Force, performed the interception procedure in radio contact with the National Governmental Authority (NGA).
The interception was carried out with a subsonic flight profile at about 6000 altitude meters in a few minutes in the skies of Florence. The suspect aircraft, which sailed at very low speed, once identified by the fighters, without revealing their presence, was kept under control up to the height of Bolsena. In addition to the radio problem, the BeechAir Bonanza V35 also reported engine problems, starting a diversion towards the Rieti airport followed by the fighters.
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The intercepted aircraft resolved its failures and returned to the route under the control of the air traffic authorities. In the skies of Bolsena, the NGA has communicated the return order for the two Eurofighters of the 4th Wing.
The Air Force provides surveillance of the national air space 365 days a year, 24 hours on 24, with an integrated defense system, since the time of peace, with that of other countries belonging to NATO. The service is guaranteed - for the surveillance, identification and control part -from the Air Control Center, the Recognized Air Picture Production Center, the Sensor Fusion Post (ARS) of Poggio Renatico (FE) and the 22 ° Radar Group of Licola (NA), with regard to the intervention in flight, from the 4 ° Stormo (GR) and the 36 ° Stormo (BA), as well as, to support and as back-up to the 4 ° and the 36 °, from the 37 ° Stormo (TP), all equipped with Eurofighter hunting aircraft.
Source: 4 ° Stormo, Grosseto - Captain Walter Pacini
