Also present in Gioia del Colle was General of the Air Squad Gianni Candotti, Commander of the Air Squad. The 36th Fighter Wing, which reports to the Air Squad Command through the Combat Forces Command, is one of the Italian Air Force's air defence wings that ensures the surveillance of national airspace 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, through an integrated defence system, since peacetime, with that of other NATO member countries. The service is guaranteed – for the surveillance, identification and control part – by the 11th DAMI Group of Poggio Renatico (FE) and the 22nd Radar Group of Licola (NA), and regarding the in-flight intervention, by the 4th Wing (GR), the 36th Wing (BA) and the 37th Wing (TP), all equipped with Eurofighter fighter aircraft. Furthermore, starting in January 2017, the Italian Air Force has also activated a Eurofighter F-2000 cell at the 51st Wing of Istrana in order to optimise national airspace coverage, with a view to generally reducing intervention times and promptly countering any threats. Moreover, since March 2018, the F-35 aircraft of the 32nd Wing of Amendola have also been integrated into the air defence system, contributing with specific operational and latest-generation technological capabilities to the defence of Italian skies.
