RAMSTEIN, Germany – After less than six months of operations, the Italian Eurofighter Typhoons stationed at Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base in Constanta have reached the goal of 1,000 flight hours on the NATO mission.
These aircraft are deployed in Romania as part of an Italian Task Force Air (TFA) "Black Storm" that has been active since November 2022 under NATO orders. Working alongside Allies from the German and Royal Air Force and their Romanian hosts, they have been responsible for ensuring the integrity of Alliance airspace in the Black Sea Region.
Overall, these operational achievements demonstrate the firm commitment of Allies to deter aggression or threats against NATO member states across the Euro-Atlantic area and shows the unity and readiness of the Alliance
"Although one thousand flight hours is a symbolic milestone, this achievement is rich in operational content. It underlines the Italian Air Force's ability to seamlessly support air operations outside the country's borders, as well as the effectiveness of the Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft in conducting NATO airspace surveillance and air defence," said the commander of the Italian detachment. "In doing so, Italian pilots have reached a high degree of interoperability with allied air forces, which we have been operating in parallel with us during recent months," he added.
The Italian Eurofighter Typhoons are deployed in Romania as part of an Italian Task Force Air "Black Storm". Photo Courtesy: Italian Air Force.
Italian Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon conducts NATO airspace surveillance alongside a Romanian Air Force Mig-21. Archive photo Courtesy: Italian Air Force.
The Italian Eurofighter Typhoon detachment is participating in NATO's enhanced Vigilance Activities. Photo Courtesy: Italian Air Force.
The Italian TFA is a self-sufficient unit capable of providing full logistical and operational support to its air assets, airmen and troops. After completing their scheduled enhanced Air Policing mission in Romania in April, the Eurofighter Typhoon detachment has been participating in NATO's enhanced Vigilance Activities supporting air patrols on the Alliances Eastern flank.
"Overall, these operational achievements demonstrate the firm commitment of Allies to deter aggression or threats against NATO member states across the Euro-Atlantic area and shows the unity and readiness of the Alliance," added the commander of the Italian detachment.