13:03 GMT, January 9, 2009 At 12:00 on Monday 5th January 2009, Italy’s 36th Wing, based in Gioia de Colle, began air defence duties five years after Eurofighter Typhoon was introduced to the four partner nations.

The Eurofighter F2000 aircraft was only supplied to the 36th Wing on 1st October 2007 and both the flight crew and base underwent an intense period of training and achieved the ambitious goal of a thousand hours of flight to ensure they were ready for January 2009.

The 36th Wing consists of two flying squadrons and will provide air defence 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and will compliment the 4th, 5th and 37th Wings who are already defending the air space of the southern Mediterranean.

Meanwhile also the German Luftwaffe got its second Tranche 2 Typhoon. The fighter was also transferred to the JG 74 in Neuburg. Luftwaffe serial is 31+14, airframe serial is AS0007.