On September 20, two Italian F-2000 Eurofighter fighters, deployed at the Lithuanian Air Base of Šiauliai as part of the defense of the Baltic skies arranged by NATO, called Baltic Air Policing, took to the skies following the order of immediate take-off – Scramble – coming from the NATO CAOC (Combined Air Operations Centre) of Uedem (Germany).
The activation of the two Typhoons of the Quick Reaction Alert – Intercept cell was requested because two unidentified aircraft crossed the Flight Information Regions of the Baltic countries responsible for air control and defense of airspace.
The intervention was necessary to visually identify and monitor unknown aircraft, to protect the safety of other civil aircraft that could have ignored their presence along their route.
The aircraft, which took off in a few minutes, remained in flight to protect the airspace of competence, carrying out Visual Identification activities to ensure rapid intervention if the unidentified assets had assumed any hostile attitudes.
When the need ceased, the two Typhoons returned to Šiauliai airport.
This is the twentieth alpha scramble that the Task Force Air 4th Wing has collected to date with its interceptor fighters engaged in the operation called “BALTIC HORSE III”, since assuming command of the mission last August 1st. Since then, a total of 39 aircraft have been intercepted, almost one for every day of presence in the Baltics.
In a delicate geopolitical context, the activity of air interception assumes the character of a tangible signal of deterrence in defense of the Baltic skies, but with the moderation and balance that are necessary and that represent the result of the constant training of Italian pilots and in general, of the Armed Forces, of the numerous operational experiences deliberately carried out over the years and of a varied professional competence, multifaceted and appreciated within NATO for all the capabilities expressed. All operational activities conducted by the Italian Armed Forces to defend the Euro-Atlantic spaces and along the eastern flank of NATO are arranged by the Chief of Defence Staff and directed and coordinated by the Joint Summit Operational Command.
Follow us on our Telegram channel