The Air Task Force continues its charitable work for the local community. The Italian Eurofighters of the Task Force
36th Wing, Deployed in Estonia for the NATO Air Policing mission, they participated in the celebrations in Tallinn for the sixth edition of Veterans Day in Estonia. On 23 April, Estonia celebrates Veterans Day, which, established in 2014 as a national holiday, has reached its sixth edition. Veterans Day, which usually culminates with the day's main event, a rock concert in Tallinn's main square, is dedicated to recognising the men and women who have guaranteed the military defence of their nation or who have participated in international operations in defence of peace, and who have been wounded and are no longer able to serve.
To mark this important anniversary, Italy, which has been involved in the protection of Baltic airspace since January, has been invited to participate with a flyover of Eurofighter aircraft in Freedom Square, Tallinn's main square and the venue for the event.
On this occasion, the 36th Wing Air Task Force also wanted to combine an important charitable event, the result of voluntary fundraising among all the personnel of the Italian contingent.
The proceeds from this collection were in fact donated to the “
Carolin Illenzeeri Foundation”, a charitable association, patronised by the President of the Republic of Estonia, which is dedicated to providing assistance to orphans of those who died in service and to the children of veterans.
The symbolic cheque was presented on stage by the Task Force Commander, Colonel Eros Zaniboni, to the association's representative, just as Italian Eurofighters soared across the sky of Tallinn, to the applause and amazement of the large audience present. “Being here on this important anniversary,” emphasised the TFA Commander, Colonel Eros Zaniboni, “is a great honour for the entire Italian contingent. We want to celebrate, with a concrete gesture and with the flyover of the Eurofighters that guarantee the security of our skies every day, the sacrifice of so many Estonian soldiers who gave their lives for peace and security.”.
The’
Air PolicingThis is a peacetime collective defence mission, conducted to safeguard the integrity of NATO member airspace. The Baltic Air Policing mission aims to confirm the Alliance’s ability to share and pool all existing capabilities.
Italian fighter jets have been securing the integrity of the airspace over the Baltic Republics under NATO control since the first days of January.
In 2004, with the Baltic states and Bulgaria joining the Atlantic Alliance, the airspace of those countries became an integral part of the Euro-Atlantic airspace and, as such, were included in NATO's air and missile defence system. This system also includes Air Policing activity, which consists of continuous aerial surveillance aimed at ensuring the integrity and security of NATO airspace.
