C-27J: over 50,000 flight hours

On August 17 the 46^a Air Brigade Pisa reaches an important milestone: at 12:30 the aircraft C-27J “Lupo 88”, Edition Special Color has reached the 50,000 hours of flight. In the cockpit the Commander of the Brigade, Gen. D.A. Alessandro De Lorenzo, together with Commander of the 98th Flight Group, T.Col. Diego Urso, and to the flight crew, Marshal Alberto Rodio.

The tactical transport aircraft, produced by Alenia Aermacchi (formerly Alenia Aeronautica), from the first delivery in 1999’January 11, 2006, has reached this important milestone: 50,000 flight hours for the entire fleet, carried out in support of operations both domestically and internationally and in NATO coalition operations. Numerous locations around the world have seen the personnel of the 98th Flight Wing and the International Training Center of the 46th operate.^a Air Brigade.

This latter achievement, compared to the complexity of the places where the operations took place, expresses the synergy with which the operators of the weapon system, Pilots, On-board Operators and technical personnel of the Efficienza Aeromobili Group of the 46th^a Air Brigade, they guaranteed constant readiness and operational capability. From Afghanistan to Iraq, from the United States of America to the Philippines, for humanitarian support to transport for national needs during the recent global pandemic crisis linked to COVID-19. Wherever necessary, the C-27J aircraft has demonstrated its transport capabilities and versatility in all possible configurations. The version EC-27J J.E.D.I., Jamming and Electronic Defense Instrumentation, has ensured the necessary electromagnetic spectrum security framework in the Operations Theaters, also employing personnel from the Electronic Warfare Technical Operational Support Department – ReSTOGE – stationed at the 9^a ISTAR-EW Air Brigade From Pratica di Mare. At the same time, the tactical transport version has been enriched over the years with additional capabilities, achieved through the integration of additional modules such as the air-transportable isolated stretchers, or the Bio-containment stretchers for patients requiring absolute isolation.

Lo Spartan Therefore, over the years it has deployed functions that go beyond those of traditional tactical transport of vehicles, materials, personnel, and high-altitude and low-altitude air launching capabilities, adapting to the needs of the Italian Air Force, thus expressing Italy’s contribution worldwide.

It C-27J aircraft He is stationed with the air forces of other countries 15 countries and is known among aviation enthusiasts for its maneuverability characteristics, demonstrated in the various flight phases, as happened in the recent Royal International Air Tattoo (15-17 July 2022), in which a C-27J aircraft, assigned to Experimental Flight Department of the Air Force, he received the “The Sir Douglas Bader Trophy”For the best solo demonstration. The milestone of 50,000 hours is the realization of the aircraft’s technical capabilities in operations supporting real needs. The 46^a Brigata Aerea has therefore chosen to pay tribute to the milestone achieved by the C27-J flight line by presenting a special color that shows the dedication and courage with which the “Lupi” of 98th Group They have served and through them Italy has gained prestige through the Air Force. 

Thanks to the work of the artist Silvia Cammerano, the diligent efforts of all the military and civilian personnel of the Aeromobili Group of the Brigata, and the collaboration of Mr. Mainini and Mr. Stoico, experts in the field, a C-27J aircraft of the 46th Air Base in Brindisi has been completed.^a Brigata Aerea will continue today’s mission in the skies of Italy, Europe and the world, telling the story of numerous operational missions, each different from the previous one.