The "scramble" (take-off order on alarm) was launched by the NATO Air Operations Command and Control Center (CAOC) based in Uedem (Germany) and assigned to the Italian TFA by the CRC (Control & Reporting Center) of Karmelava (Lithuania).
In just a few minutes, the two Italian Typhoons reached and identified the four aircraft, which proved to be transport aircraft of the Russian Federation that crossed the airspace without authorization.
Italy participates in the NATO air defense (Interim Air Policing - IAP) and for this it takes charge - like all the other members of the Alliance - to ensure the surveillance of NATO airspace in those countries that do not have components piloted of air defense.
Italy also participates continuously with the IAP over the skies of Albania from 2009, Slovenia from 2004, while it was already engaged in Iceland in June of 2013. With the contribution provided on the skies of the three Baltic countries, Italy is the only Alliance nation that has participated at the moment in all four NATO IAPs.
Source: Task Force Air, Šiauliai (Lithuania) - magg. Antonio Caliandro
