Italian Government
The Italian contribution to the air policing mission over Romanian airspace has concluded
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Italy's contribution to NATO's air policing and air defence mission in Romania concluded today, as part of the Alliance's efforts to strengthen its eastern flank.
For approximately two months, the Task Group Air 51st Wing "Black Storm III", deployed to Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base, provided Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) duties, conducting eight scrambles and accumulating more than 300 flight hours, in addition to air patrol missions and training activities with the Romanian Armed Forces and other Allied contingents.
The deployment contributed to the surveillance of NATO airspace and to the Alliance's collective security. This marked Italy's second rotation leading the Task Force Air in Romania, following its previous deployment in 2023.
The contingent was bid farewell at the end of the mission by Lieutenant General Giovanni Maria Iannucci, Commander of the Italian Joint Operations Headquarters (COVI).
Starting on 1 August, the Italian Air Force's commitment on NATO's eastern flank will continue in Lithuania, where Italian assets will assume responsibility for the Baltic Air Policing mission.
