Two F-35A fighter jets from the 32nd Wing of Amendola (Foggia) intervened around 12.45 CEST to intercept a Neos Boeing 787 airliner (reg. EI-NUA), in flight from Mombasa International Airport (Kenya) to Rome-Fiumicino. While flying over Italian airspace, specifically over Calabria, the aircraft lost radio contact with civilian air traffic control.
The scramble order for a rapid takeoff was issued by the CAOC (Combined Air Operation Centre) in Torrejon, Spain, the NATO authority responsible for the area, in coordination with the Aerospace Operations Command (COA) in Poggio Renatico (FE).
The “fighter controller” personnel from the 22nd D.A.M.I. Group in Licola (NA) provided the pilots of the two F-35s with the necessary coordinates and information to reach the civilian aircraft, carry out the identification procedure, and verify whether there were any emergency conditions.
Before the pair of military jets reached the civilian aircraft, the crew of the Boeing 787 restored radio communications with air traffic control and continued on its course towards the Rome airport.
The speed with which the military jets took off demonstrates the high level of readiness of the entire national and NATO airspace defense system, achieved through the professionalism of the crews and all personnel involved from the Italian Air Force.
Since January 2022, the 32nd Wing has contributed to the air defense of both national and NATO airspace with F-35A aircraft on alert status.
In the event of a scramble order from the NATO Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOC), the fifth-generation F-35 aircraft take off within minutes to intercept and identify suspicious aircraft, bringing cutting-edge operational and technological capabilities to the alert service.
In addition to the 32nd Wing with F-35s from both the 32nd and 6th Wings, four other Italian Air Force wings equipped with Eurofighter aircraft also ensure air defense: the 4th Wing in Grosseto, the 36th Wing in Gioia del Colle, the 37th Wing in Trapani, and the 51st Wing in Istrana.
(via Italian Air Force)