6 August 2022
It was the 12 December 2016 when for the first time an F-35 aircraft was assigned to an operational department outside the United States. The first F-35A landed at Amendola airport, thus beginning the operational life of the aircraft.""omniroles"of 5th Generation in Italy and Europe. Today, little more than 5 years after, the F35 aircraft of the 32nd Wing have reached the important milestone of the 10.000 flight hours.
After reaching the 5.000 flight hours for less than two years, incessantnational and international commitments they saw the 32 ° Stormo project air power in all its possible forms on more than one continent: from the Baltics to the US and Middle Eastern deserts, from Iceland to the Aegean, up to participation in many international aeronautical shows.
This important milestone was also studded with numerous national and international training events.Perfect storm aimed at the integration between 4th and 5th generation weapon systems, and in which they participated in the various Eurofighter editions, G-550 CAEW, Tornado is Predator. TheAstral Knight 21, a "major exercise” aimed at strengthening coordination and interoperability activities of air capabilities, sea and land, increasing the integration of command and control. TheFalcon Strike 21, exercise adapted ad hoc to the 5th Generation, designed at the Amendola Air Base and particularly appreciated by all participating nations.
Nonetheless, the multiple training activities that theF-35B played on the island of Pantelleria, which allowed to consolidate skillsAir Expeditionary of the Armed Force by simulating the redeployment on a so-called basisbare/austere (with reduced technical-logistic support). Activities toojointcarried out with the F-35Bs of the Italian Navy on board the aircraft carrierCavour and with the F-35B of theUS Marine Corps (USMC) aboard theHMC Queen Elizabeth, aircraft carrier of the British Navy, deserve a special mention, as well as the exercise deserves itThunderwhich took place in Iceland a few days ago, which ratified - in fact - the first foreign redeployment of the aircraftomnivore in the STOVL version (Short Take Off and Vertical Landing) in remote areas and semi / non permissive environments characterized by harsh climates, with the use of a package of rapid intervention forces with minimal logistical impact.
The 32nd Wing then, that since March 2018 contributes to the national air defense, since 27 January 2022 also participates in the NATO QRA service (Quick Reaction Alert), in defense of the Airspace on the east flank of the Atlantic Alliance, which stage of the journey aimed at achieving theFull Operational Capability (F.O.C.).
The Pilot Colonel Roberto Massarotto, Commander of the 32nd Wing, in congratulating the entire Department for what has been achieved, highlighted that “the symbolic stages are only an opportunity to celebrate the concrete objectives to be pursued underlying them. The commitment and sacrifice that the Department staff ensures on a daily basis, it becomes measurable also through the celebration of these moments. The undisputed professionalism and promptness demonstrated, often behind the scenes, it is functional to make the Armed Force an increasingly cohesive and increasingly effective institution, at the service of the citizen and the entire country“.
The 32nd Wing is employed by the Combat Forces Command (CFC) from Milan, whose assigned mission is to acquire and maintain the operational readiness of all air defense and attack and reconnaissance bodies, providing for the operational efficiency of weapon systems, of means and materials, as well as staff training and constant updating and optimization of operating procedures, in compliance with the guidelines of the SS.AA. The CFC is employed by the Air Squad Command which exercises the powers in the field of training, preparation and operational preparation of its Departments, so that they acquire and maintain the required levels of operational readiness. After the achievement of the Initial Operational Capability (IOC), which took place in 2018, participates, from 2019, to NATO Air Policing Operations outside national borders. Since February 2020 the 32nd Wing is the only Department on the European scene that jointly employs both F-35As (CTOL) than F-35B (STOVL), contributing, with the 5th generation aircraft, to the Air Expeditionary capacity of the Armed Force. Also, using Remotely Piloted Aircraft (APR) MQ1-C e MQ9-A, the Department carries out Intelligence operations, Surveillance, Target Acquisition & Recognition(I.S.T.A.R.), both national and coalition. Finally, through MB-339 aircraft, the 32nd Wing completes the training of APR pilots to maintain an adequate operational level on traditional piloted aircraft.
JASDF REPRESENTATIVES VISIT THE 32TH WORLD OF AMENDOLA
In recent days, some representatives of theJapan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF) they visited the 32 ° Stormo of Amendola, with the intention of being able to share the experience that the Air Force has gained to date in the operational and maintenance sector relating to the complex F-35 Weapon System.
The exchange and discussion on issues relating to the methods of conducting daily flight activities - real operations - exercises and aspects concerning personnel training - took place at the XIII Flight Group, where a technical table was set up chaired by experts from the Air Force operating in the operations sector, of logistic support and safety. For the occasion, some representatives of the Top Bodies of the Arma Azzurra were also present.
The Japanese delegation visited the infrastructure of the "JSF Citadel", headquarters and support activities for the operations and preparation of the 5th generation weapon system, that of the activities related toQuick Reaction Alert(QRA). The visit then continued at the hangar and the processing rooms of the maintenance department, as well as at theTool Room, where it was possible to touch the peculiar management of theSupport Equipment F-35 by means of the info-logistic systemAutonomic Logistics Information System (ALIS) and the innovative GRIFUS retractable aviation-refueling system.
The exponents of the Japanese delegation, having recognized the value and authoritativeness of the information acquired on all aspects concerning the use of this Weapon System, they showed a keen interest in developing possible future collaborations aimed at ensuring the highest level of cooperation, of synergy and interoperability.
The 32nd Wing is the first unit in Europe to operate with the F-35A aircraft - the only one that jointly uses both the F-35A (CTOL) that the F-35B (STOVL) – helping to ensure the surveillance service of the national and NATO airspace.
Source:
Text: Air force
Photo: Air Force and AviaSpotter.it
