Overview

• On August 13, two Italian Air Force F-35 Lightning IIs from the 32nd Wing at Ämari Air Base conducted a QRA scramble to intercept unannounced Russian Su-27 and Su-24 aircraft near Baltic airspace.
• The mission marked the first time Italian F-35s have scrambled from Ämari under NATO’s Baltic Air Policing rotations.
• NATO Air Command released photos showing an F-35 flying alongside a Su-27 and a separate image of a Su-24 to signal collective deterrence.
• The Italian Air Force described the intercept as a neutralization of potential risk that demonstrated the professionalism of its personnel.
• The Italian detachment remains on 24/7 QRA after taking over Baltic Air Policing duties from the Portuguese Air Force at the end of July.