Twice in a row, NATO has sounded the alarm due to the presence of a plane flying over the Baltic Sea. Suspected to be Russian, the aircraft was intercepted by Eurofighter fighters from the Air Task Force 4th Wing in Poland. The Italian Air Force, part of NATO’s Enhanced Air Policing mission, carried out the operation and returned to base.
The Air Task Force “4th Wing” is made up of four Eurofighter aircraft from Italy’s air defense wings. These aircraft are capable of intercepting suspicious radar traces at a moment’s notice, providing round-the-clock protection 365 days a year. The Italian contingent operates in Poland under the direct national control of the Interforce Summit Operational Command, working alongside the Polish Air Force to protect NATO’s northeastern flank.
This is not the first time an Italian contingent has been deployed to Poland for Enhanced Air Policing operations. The Italian Air Force personnel, including flight groups and technical staff, are based at Krolewo airport in Malbork. They work closely with the Polish Air Force to ensure security and defense of the region.
