NATO Air Policing, Poland: Eurofighter aircraft replace F35s

(To air Force)

23/02/24

After the arrival of four aircraft Euro Fighter (F-2000A) and the first familiarization flights, the Air Task Force was established in Malbork, Poland 4^th wing which will be used as part of NATO's "Enhanced Air Policing" (En-AP) operations.

The Italian En-AP device, after the return of the F35s to their permanent bases in Amendola (FG) and Ghedi (BS), reached full operational capacity and replaced the F35 aircraft of the Air Task Force 32^nd wing who have been operating in Poland since early September.

“With the arrival of the four Eurofighters from the four wings of the Air Force and the rapid achievement of the Initial Operational Capability (IOC) followed a few days by the Full Operational Capability (FOC), the TFA 4^th wing is now ready to operate continuously after TFA 32^nd wing” underlines Colonel Antonio Vergallo, commander of the TFA. “This highlights the ability of our Armed Forces to support NATO with continuity and to be able to carry out our missions and tasks coherently and without interruptions. The speed and effectiveness of the handover reflects our technical preparation and speed to face new challenges.”

Task Force Air 4^th wing, made up of approximately 150 men and women of the Air Force, is placed under the direct national dependence of COVI and ensures the control and safeguard of the north-eastern flank of NATO, without interruption, thus guaranteeing rapid intervention to protect the allied airspace.

The TFA is equipped with aircraft Euro Fighter (F-2000A) coming from the 4th wing of Grosseto, 36th wing of Gioia del Colle, 37th wing of Trapani and 51st wing of Istrana.

THEAir Shielding, of which the permanent device is an integral part Air Policing (AP), is a NATO-led peace and collective defense mission that is conducted seamlessly 365 days a year and is managed byAllied air command (AIRCOM) of Ramstein (Germany).

The activities carried out in the operational theater are conducted according to the directives given by the joint operational command (COVI), which is the high defense command responsible for planning, coordinating and directing joint exercises and operations at national and international level.