Italian F-35s
October rotation of the Iceland Air Policing operation is
unique and bears a historic meaning since it was the first
time when 5th Generation F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft
were involved in an operation as such under the auspices
of NATO Allied Air Command and Combined Air Operations
Centre in Uedem (CAOC). The Italian F-35s involved in the
Icelandic operation are usually stationed at the Amendola
airbase in Italy. They belong to the 13th Fighter Squadron
that is a part of the 32nd Wing. Six jets of the kind have
been sent to Iceland.
The Italians appeared in Keflavik in late September to
prepare the base logistically for hosting the F-35. However,
all preparations had begun much earlier, as simulated
scrambles had been taking place in Italy long before the
deployment. Relevant role could also be ascribed to the
Italian deployments in the past, during which the Eurofighter
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