As part of NATO's air surveillance activities, two Eurofighter fighters Typhoon of the Italian Air Force, based in Šiauliai in Lithuania, intervened three times in the same day in missions to intercept unidentified aircraft. All events occurred on September 13 during operations to defend allied airspace as part of the Baltic Air Policing.
The orders were issued when radars detected the presence of unidentified aircraft in the vicinity of the Atlantic Alliance's airspace. The Italian Eurofighters took off promptly to identify and monitor all traffic that had not communicated the flight plan and did not have regular contact with air traffic authorities.
The interceptions, conducted in a professional manner and according to international rules and protocols, have allowed us to verify the identity of numerous aircraft that during the day have repeatedly affected the area of responsibility entrusted to the Italian fighters that, starting from August 1st, have guaranteed the safety of the area of responsibility in the Baltics in a very dynamic scenario that often requires the completion of advanced tactical actions in very short times. Precisely starting from August 1st, Italy is the only nation in the lead for the mission. Baltic Air Policing in Lithuania with Germans supporting (enhanced Air Policing) deployed at the Lielvārde base in Latvia.
The Task Force Air – 200th wing produced approximately 36 flight hours in more than 130 sorties, with 14 scramble orders requested by the combined air operation centre (CAOC) of Uedem in Germany to identify different types of aircraft (fighters and transports), none of which belong to NATO countries.
The frequency of activations of immediate take-off orders reflects the changed and delicate geopolitical situation. In this context, Italian pilots demonstrate the ability to execute the mission by exercising an effective deterrent action, but at the same time preventing any escalation situation, always maintaining a professional posture even in the face of possible provocations.
Always vigilant, always alert, always ready, this is what NATO demands, this is what the Air Force team ensures every day, 24 hours a day and in all conditions to guarantee deterrence and security to the Eastern Flank of the Atlantic Alliance. Naturally, the operation of the Air Task Force is the result of a choral effort; we move in a synergic and compact manner to allow the pilots to fulfill their mission in the most effective and efficient way possible. The technical maintenance personnel who ensure the efficiency of the flight line and make up the alarm teams with the pilots, those who daily ensure supplies and logistics, mobility through an adequate fleet of vehicles, financial administration, personnel management, installation security, are all elements of a single network that participates in a complex team game where the result is certainly greater than the sum of the parts.
La NATO Air Policing is a peacekeeping mission that aims to preserve the security of the Alliance's airspace. It is a collective task that involves the continuous presence – 24 hours a day, 24 days a year – of combat aircraft and crews, ready to react rapidly to possible violations of airspace. Its purpose is to defend the Alliance's skies and to deter possible threats to the security of NATO member countries. This mission is part of NATO's broader defense and deterrence mechanism called Air Shielding managed byAir Command (AIRCOM) of Ramstein (Germany).
La Baltic Air Policing, in particular, is a NATO mission in force since April 2004; to date 17 Allies have participated in it to safeguard the airspace of the Baltic Republics: Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. It is a mission with the aim of demonstrating the collective determination of the Allies in maintaining a defensive posture, solid and compact, to deter potential threats to the security of the regional area of competence.
Italy participates in NATO Air Policing missions to defend the Alliance's borders in the skies of the Baltics, Iceland, Romania, Bulgaria, Poland, Slovenia, Albania and Montenegro.
The Air Task Force at Šiauliai in Lithuania is equipped with Eurofighter aircraft Typhoon (F-2000) from the 36th wing of Gioia del Colle, the 4th wing of Grosseto, the 37th wing of Trapani and the 51st wing of Istrana; the wings of the Italian Air Force responsible for the safety of Italian airspace as well as CAEW and SPYDR aircraft from the 14th wing of Pratica di Mare.
The activities carried out in the Operational Theatre are conducted under the command and control of the Joint Operations Command (COVI), which is the Defence high command responsible for planning, coordinating and directing joint exercises and operations at national and international level.
