Italian jets conduct alpha scramble from Lithuanian air base

According to a press release, on August 3, 2024, NATO’s Combined Air Operation Centre at Uedem ordered an Alpha Scramble for two Italian Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon jets in response to potential threats from Russian military aircraft.

The Italian jets, based at Šiauliai Air Base in Lithuania, intercepted and escorted two Russian MIG-29s flying over international waters in the Baltic Sea near Alliance territory.

The swift response by the Italian detachment, say the Alliance, highlights their high state of readiness and proficiency. This operation marks the first Alpha Scramble for the Italian Air Force since they commenced their NATO Baltic Air Policing deployment, taking over from the Portuguese and Spanish Air Forces.

An Alpha Scramble is initiated when an aircraft is flying with an invalid or incorrect flight plan, fails to communicate with air traffic control, or loses communication with the relevant authority.

NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission, a peacetime defensive initiative, began in April 2004 and involves rotating deployments from member countries to safeguard the airspace over Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.

To date, 17 Allies have contributed to this mission, showcasing the Alliance’s ability to share and pool air capabilities effectively.

The mission aims to deter potential threats and ensure the safety of NATO airspace, reinforcing the Alliance’s collective determination to maintain a strong, cohesive, and defensive posture.