FACTUAL NEWS. SOMEWHERE IN THE NORTH EUROPEAN AIRSPACE.
September 27, 2023. On the afternoon of September 21, 2023, two Italian Air Force F-35 jets, part of the Task Force Air-32nd Wing, executed their inaugural alert scramble from the Malbork Air Base in Poland following orders from NATO.
This response came after NATO radars detected Russian aircraft in international airspace over the Baltic Sea, in proximity to NATO borders.
In a swift response coordinated by NATO’s Combined Air Operations Centre at Uedem, the Italian F-35s were dispatched to inspect the situation. Upon reaching the location, they identified the aircraft as two Russian Federation Su-30 FLANKER fighter jets. Notably, these Russian jets were not following a declared flight plan and had made no contact with Air Traffic control.
Following their identification, the Italian F-35s escorted the Russian aircraft back towards their national borders. Throughout this encounter, both sides maintained a professional demeanor.
Importantly, the Russian aircraft did not enter NATO airspace at any point. Upon successfully ensuring the Russian jets moved away, the NATO F-35s safely returned to Malbork Air Base.
NATO fighter jets are frequently launched for such routine monitoring missions along the Alliance’s borders, including areas near the Baltic Sea shores.
Currently, the Italian F-35 detachment, known as the Task Force Air 32nd Wing, is stationed in Poland. They operate as a part of NATO’s enhanced Air Policing, available round-the-clock to reinforce Alliance deterrence and defence operations.
