Press Release No. 19/2016 “SCRAMBLE” FOR THE TYPHOONS OF THE 4TH WING Two Italian fighter jets took off to intercept and identify a commercial aircraft that had lost communications. This morning at approximately 12:30 PM from Grosseto airbase, home of the 4th Wing, two Italian Air Force Eurofighter Typhoons, on national airspace alert service, took off to identify a Boeing 789 of Arabian Airlines, en route from Paris to Jeddah, with which ground communications had been lost.
The interception took place in the skies over Orbetello a few minutes after take-off, where the fighter jets made visual contact with the Boeing 789, thus ascertaining that it was not in an emergency or dangerous situation.
The two Eurofighters received an immediate take-off order – in technical jargon called a scramble – from CAOC (Combined Air Operation Center) in Torrejon, the NATO body responsible for airspace surveillance in the area, and were controlled by the Operations Room of the Group.
Italian Air Force Radar Station at Poggio Renatico.
Once the aircraft had been identified, the two fighter jets escorted it out of national airspace, over Calabria, maintaining their position and ensuring it continued to fly along the authorised route.
The Italian Air Force ensures the surveillance of national airspace 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, with an integrated defence system, even in peacetime, with that of other NATO member countries.
The service is guaranteed – for surveillance, identification and control – by the Air Control Centre, Recognised Air Picture Production Centre, Sensor Fusion Post (ARS) of Poggio Renatico (FE) and by the 22nd Radar Group of Licola (NA), while airborne intervention is ensured by the 4th Wing of Grosseto, the 36th Wing of Gioia del Colle and the 37th Wing of Trapani Birgi, all equipped with Eurofighter fighter aircraft.
The interception took place in the skies over Orbetello a few minutes after take-off, where the fighter jets made visual contact with the Boeing 789, thus ascertaining that it was not in an emergency or dangerous situation.
The two Eurofighters received an immediate take-off order – in technical jargon called a scramble – from CAOC (Combined Air Operation Center) in Torrejon, the NATO body responsible for airspace surveillance in the area, and were controlled by the Operations Room of the Group.
Italian Air Force Radar Station at Poggio Renatico.
Once the aircraft had been identified, the two fighter jets escorted it out of national airspace, over Calabria, maintaining their position and ensuring it continued to fly along the authorised route.
The Italian Air Force ensures the surveillance of national airspace 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, with an integrated defence system, even in peacetime, with that of other NATO member countries.
The service is guaranteed – for surveillance, identification and control – by the Air Control Centre, Recognised Air Picture Production Centre, Sensor Fusion Post (ARS) of Poggio Renatico (FE) and by the 22nd Radar Group of Licola (NA), while airborne intervention is ensured by the 4th Wing of Grosseto, the 36th Wing of Gioia del Colle and the 37th Wing of Trapani Birgi, all equipped with Eurofighter fighter aircraft.