KEFLAVIK, Iceland - On April 13, the Italian Chief of Defence Staff General Claudio Graziano, together with the Chief of Staff of the Italian Air Force, General Enzo Vecciarelli, visited the Italian detachment deployed in Iceland to provide air surveillance and interception capabilities over Iceland.
Briefed by the Italian Detachment Commander, Colonel Emanuele Spigolon, about the tasks and responsibilities of his detachment personnel and the capabilities of the Eurofighter Typhoon jets executing the mission, General Graziano was then showed around the Control and Reporting Centre, where Italian Air Defence controllers, supervised by Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOC) in Uedem, worked in close collaboration with Icelandic Air traffic controllers to control the fighters.
"Italian commitment here in Island is a tangible sign of the NATO solidarity among allies. We’re here to show the unity of the Alliance to face any possible threat coming from east, south or north” General Claudio Graziano said praising the Italian Air Force personnel for their outstanding effort in NATO Interim Air Policing. "Italy will be present with its armed forces wherever needed, in line with the NATO principles, values and missions. Italy will make his contribution to the Alliance to safeguard international stability.”
The Chief of Italian Air Force General Vecciarelli said that "integrity of the Alliance’s air space is a collective responsibility and I truly believe that Italy is doing his part, sharing this responsibility with all our Allies. Italy ensures NATO Air Policing in Slovenia, Albania, the Baltic countries, and now again in Island. This is an important part of our job and I’m sure that my people are doing their best”.
The Generals’ visit occurred on the last day of the Interim Air Policing ensured by Italian jets and personnel in Iceland on behalf of NATO. For three weeks, from 23th of March, six Italian Eurofighter Typhoon jets, belonging to the 4th air force wing at Grosseto, 36th air force wing at Gioia del Colle and 37th air force wing at Trapani, and almost 140 men and women from Italian Air Force have provided airborne surveillance and interception capabilities to meet Iceland’s Peacetime Preparedness Needs on behalf of NATO.
Story by Italian Air Force Detachment at Iceland