The Black Storm Task Force remains at Constanta base for enhanced Vigilance Activities (eAV).
The Task Force Black Storm, based on the rotation programme planned by NATO, has handed over command of Enhanced Air Policing – Area South – block 58 to the component of the Royal Air Force From the United Kingdom, who will operate the QRA (Quick Reaction Alert) service, becoming responsible for Air Policing block-59 in the region.
The Italian contingent of TFA Black Storm, operating in collaboration with other assets. NATO and jointly with the QRA service operated by other Allied nations, will continue to operate from the Constanța base, still under NATO command, on eVA (Enhanced Vigilance Activity) missions activated to increase surveillance and protection activities of the Atlantic skies, considering the current geopolitical scenario on the Alliance's eastern flank.
On this occasion, the Undersecretary of State for Defence Giorgio Mulè, accompanied by the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Air Squadron General Luca Goretti, met with the Italian military personnel deployed at the NATO base in Constanța, Romania, for air security, the so-called “air policing”.
“To all of you who represent a significant part of Italy's guaranteed contribution to NATO, I wish to convey the recognition and gratitude you deserve,” said Undersecretary Mulè in his welcoming address. “Security is an indispensable value. You aspired to be worthy of acting with valour towards the stars. Be certain that you have done so not only with valour but also with honour, professionalism, and authentic patriotic spirit.”.
The Chief of Staff of’Italian Air Force, General Air Force Luca Goretti, in thanking the men and women of Task Force Black Storm, emphasised: “We are here to protect and monitor the skies of the Alliance” and added: “our commitment does not end today; indeed, it will continue with active surveillance to ensure the security of the airspace and protect our borders. We were there, we are there and we will be there as long as needed”.
700 flying hours, 400 sorties and 27 scrambles – these are the figures from the mission that began on 1 December 2021.
The Italian contingent of the Black Storm Air Task Force, deployed in Romania with 8 Eurofighter and around 200 soldiers, under the command of Colonel Morgan Lovisa will continue to operate in the region, remaining under NATO command, in eVA (Enhanced Vigilance Activity) missions in collaboration with other Alliance assets.
“It has certainly been an intense period,” Colonel Lovisa recalled, "which saw us engaged in a great many operational and training activities. The flight hours and scrambles we completed are tangible proof of this. In addition to activities related to QRA service and EVAs, the construction of the new compound was added. The decision to remain," added the commander of TFA Black Storm, "was made at the end of February and was implemented in a very short time. We immediately began a study phase and the first works started, which allowed us, without any interruption to our activities, to be operational from the new compound in a very short time.".
Indeed, with the conclusion of the Italian-led eAP mission, TF Black Storm continued to operate within the eVA activities, seamlessly, in a new area of the Constanța base specifically set up. In this new space, personnel from the 3rd Wing of Verona Villafranca and the 3rd Field Engineer Regiment of the Logistic Command, in approximately two weeks, prepared a field of about 15,000 square metres composed of tents and dedicated field structures.
The Logistics Command's departments, including the CIS (Communications and Information Systems) support of the 3rd Division, have ensured the continuity of the deployment, installing a series of field assets useful not only for administrative and logistical purposes but also necessary for aircraft sheltering, ordnance material management, and the direction of operational missions, as well as for the relocation of CIS and telecommunications assets required to ensure the continuation of air operations.
During the visit, the Undersecretary, accompanied by Gen Goretti, met with the UK Secretary of State. Ben Wallace and the Romanian Minister of Defence Vasile Dîncu.
