Change at the top of the TFA in Lithuania

21/05/15

On Tuesday, at the Task Force Air (TFA) in Šiauliai (Lithuania), the handover ceremony took place at the top of the TFA between Colonel Marco Bertoli, outgoing commander, and Colonel Vito Cracas, the incoming commander, both from the Combat Forces Command (CFC) of the Italian Air Force.

The event was attended by HE the Italian ambassador of Lithuania, dr. Stefano Maria Taliani de Marchio, together with numerous Lithuanian military authorities, the Atlantic Alliance and civilians of the city. The ceremony was presided over by the Head of the Operational Support Department of the Operational Command of Vertice di Vertice Interforze (COI), air brigade general Vittorio Iannotta, as well as a representation of the officers, non-commissioned officers and troops of the TFA in addition to the alarm team ready to intervene anyway in case of necessity.

Colonel Marco Bertoli acquired command of Task Force Air on 27 December 2014 and from 1 January 2015 Italy played the role of Leading Nation in the Baltic Air Policing operation, carrying out 31 "scrambles" on the Baltic skies: "Pass proudly the command of the Air Siauliai Task Force to Colonel Vito Cracas to continue the Baltic Border 2015 operation which I started in this base last December 27th. Looking back five months, I can say without hesitation that this period has represented for me an incredible journey in a new operational environment and a great opportunity to employ the Italian air forces and one of the most valid assets, the Eurofighter Typhoon, at better than their abilities "- said Colonel Bertoli -" finally, I address a particular thanks to all the women and men who have served in the Italian Air Task Force, without you, your skills and professionalism, nothing that we did it would have been possible, thanks! ”.

Colonel Cracas stated that it is an honor to take command of the TFA expressing sincere feelings of gratitude towards Colonel Bertoli, expressing an equally fervent thanksgiving for all the personnel therein who, with competence, passion, ethics and discipline, will continue the mission confirming Italian commitment during the period under his command.

Finally, General Iannotta thanked Colonel Bertoli for his excellent work and wishing an equally satisfying period for Colonel Cracas, who is now in charge of the TFA.

Careful surveillance of the 24h Baltic airspace over 24h is assured in a constant manner and allows to prevent and reduce the risk of violations of the airspace by unauthorized aircraft, by starting the "scramble" signal, ie the activity operational in rapidly taking off a pair of fighter aircraft in order to intercept and identify an unknown aircraft that violates the Alliance's airspace. The Italian fighters, risking the 27 December 2014 on the airport of Šiauliai, continue to ensure the integrity of the airspace over the skies of Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia as part of the NATO commitments that Italy has taken.