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Italian Eurofighters complete enhanced Air Policing mission in Romania, deploying simultaneously F-35A to Estonia for the next months

NATO Allied Air Command

Jul 28 2025

RAMSTEIN, Germany -- The Italian Air Force Eurofighter detachment in Mihail Kogălniceanu, Romania, wrap up their enhanced Air policing mission in Romania. After the official hand-over, Italy will operate F-35A fighter jets from Ämari, Estonia, taking over NATO's Baltic Air Policing mission from the Portuguese Air Force.
Throughout their four-month deployment at Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base, the Italian detachment have been on Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) 24/7/365, accumulated approximately 500 flying hours, preserving the Integrity of NATO airspace alongside the Romanian Air Force.

The Italian detachment supported a range of multinational training activities, including NATO's Dacian Spring, Agile Combat Employment (ACE) drills at Câmpia Turzii, and the Flexible Deterrence Option (FDO) exercises, which featured Italian Eurofighters flying joint missions with Greek, Turkish, and Romanian assets, supported by NATO AWACS and French multinational tanker aircraft.

"Throughout the deployment we ensured maximum readiness during our QRA shifts, always ready to scramble on CAOC order. From a training perspective, the Flexible Deterrence Option activities, has been by far the most engaging event of our rotation" said Captain Andrea M. Italian Eurofighter pilot.

"The Italian contingent lead the mission planning as Mission Commander. We trained side by side with French SAMP/T ground units, simulating an area defence scenario in a complex Blue vs Red setup—Italian Eurofighters flying alongside Greek and Turkish F-16s against Romanian F-16s. We also conducted air-to-air refueling with both Italian KC-767s and U.S. KC-135s, fully integrated with NATO's AWACS. Following the FDO, we executed a forward deployment to Câmpia Turzii under ACE doctrine, refueled, and launched again. A true test of interoperability and readiness", he added.

The Italian Air Force prepare to handover the enhanced Air Policing baton to the Germany Air Force who will assume responsibilities in Romania for the next months. Simultaneously Italian Air Force deployed four F-35A fighter jets to Ämari Air Base, Estonia, where they will assume responsibility for NATO's Baltic Air Policing mission. The transition ensures uninterrupted Allied air coverage across two strategic regions—the Black Sea and the Baltic.

NATO's Air Policing missions are a cornerstone of the Alliance's collective security, providing 24/7 vigilance over NATO airspace. The seamless handover from Italian to German forces, as well as the Portuguese to Italian forces, exemplifies the strength of NATO's interoperability and rapid response capabilities.
The presence of NATO aircraft in Romania serves as a clear signal of the Alliance's unwavering commitment and enduring unity to the security of its members and safeguarding its airspace.

Story by Allied Air Command Public Affairs Office