*Translated by Sara Pasino
MALPENSA – On Wednesday, September 7, two fighter planes interceptors Eurofighter aircraft of the air force took off from the air base of Trapani Birgi, headquarters of the 37 Stormo Caccia. Their aim was to reach and identify an Airbus 319 transport aircraft flying from Milan Malpensa to Palermo, which had momentarily lost radio contact with national civil air traffic agencies during the flight.
Ordered to take off
The order for immediate takeoff, in technical jargon “scramble”, was given by the CAOC (Combined Air Operation Centre) of Torrejon in Spain, a NATO entity responsible for the area, in coordination with the Aerospace Operations Command (COA) of Poggio Renatico and the bodies of the Armed Force responsible for the surveillance of national airspace and NATO.
The interceptors approached the civil aircraft thanks to the information provided by the personnel “guide fighters” from the ground. Then, already during the approaching phase, the Airbus had restored radio communications. The planned procedure of “visual identification” (VID) was however completed by the two fighters, which, after escorting the aircraft for a further stretch of flight, have returned to Trapani to resume their work on the ground for the surveillance service of the national airspace.
Monitoring of the airspace
The Air Force ensures the surveillance of the National Air Space 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, without interruption, through a complex system of air defence integrated since the time of peace with that of other NATO countries. The order for immediate takeoff, in jargon “scramble”, is given by the CAOC (Combined Air Operation Centre) of Torrejon (Spain), responsible for the surveillance service of southern European airspace, to the operating rooms of 11. Gruppo D.A.M.I. of Poggio Renatico (FE) and of the 22nd Gruppo D.A.M.I. of Licola (NA). The two Groups are placed, through the D.A.M.I.Department, in the employ of the Aerospace Control Brigade that performs the functions of Service Provider and Armed Force contact, through the Aerospace Operations Command, in the areas of Integrated Air Missile Defence and Operational Air Traffic Coordination and Control.