Italian Eurofighter Typhoons and Greek aircraft F-16 to Protect Albanian Air Space

Tuesday, July 21, 2009
ALBANIA, SECURITY NEWS

Italian Eurofighter Typhoons and Greek aircraft F-16 to Protect Albanian Air Space

As the Eurofighter press office blog reports, the Eurofighter Typhoon is yet again proving its worth in action as the aircraft has recently been chosen by NATO to protect an area of international air space. In a recent news story it has been announced that the Italian Air Force has been assigned to protect the air space of Albania, the Atlantic Alliance's newest member.

The 'air policing' mission which begins on Friday will also see support coordination from Greece's air force F-16 of air military base of Larissa. A statement from the Italian air force explained that "air policing consists of employing interceptor jets, in peace time, to patrol and protect the integrity of a specific air space".
Italy has been engaged in air policing Slovenia's air space for NATO since 2007.The mission over Albania will see Italy employ its Eurofighter Typhoon jets from the 36th Wing operating from the Gioia del Colle air base. While from Greek air base of Larissa F-16 will cooperate over Albanian air space under NATO command.

Last month Tirana had authorized Turkey air forces to control Albanian Air space, with out NATO comande autorisation. According to the Albanian newspaper "Gazeta Shqiptare" this is the first incident between Tirana and NATO after Albania joint to NATO alliance in April, 2009.

Anyway according to military information from NATO quarter, Italy and Greece will be authorized also from NATO to control the Albanian national waters in total 300 miles coast. A possible raising of clandestine imigration from Albanian coast borders, is previsted to confront new NATO operations including Greek and Italian frigates and other naval cooperation inside Albanian waters.