The’NATO exercise Poggio Dart 2023 (PODA23) commenced in Cervia on 4 December 2023. Organised and run by Deployable Command & Control Centre (DACCC) In Poggio Renatico, PODA23 has brought to life an intensive training exercise that featured the forces of some countries in the’Atlantic Alliance, engaged in stimulating scenarios in flight areas in North East Italy.
The exercise was an important moment of NATO training at an operational and tactical level. The first week was dedicated to testing and training the operational level of Air traffic control, while the second week saw the practical, so-called LIVEX phase, being conducted, which tactically involved the air component.
In addition to the NATO assets and personnel of the DACCC, which deployed the mobile radar Deployable Air Defence Radar (DADR) on the base of 15th Wing of Cervia (RA) The exercise, organised by the Italian Air Force, involved F-16 aircraft of the United States Air Force (USAF) and F-4 aircraft of the Turkish Air Force.
Significant presence of personnel and assets of the Italian Armed Forces: the Air Force participated with F-2000 aircraft from the 51st Wing of Istrana (Treviso), F-35A and Tornado aircraft of the 6th Wing of Ghedi (BS), F-35A and B aircraft of the 32nd Wing of Amendola (FG), a setup Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) from the 32nd Wing, a KC-767A aircraft and a G.550 of 14th Stormo (Air Wing) of Pratica di Mare (Rome province) and the missile Air Defence system “Sirius”supplied with 2nd Wing and redeployed, during the execution phase of PODA 23, to the 15th Wing in Cervia; the’Italian Army participated with configurations Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) and the Royal Navy with F-35B and AV-8B aircraft.
During the LIVEX phase, the 6th Wing supported the deployment of Amendola's F-35 aircraft which contributed to the participation of the “One Force F-35 AM”for the exercise with 5th generation aircraft, the 51st Wing of Istrana, in addition to the EF2000 aircraft of the 132nd Flight Group, provided logistical and operational support to the F16 aircraft and personnel of the 31st Fighter Wing USAFE at Aviano and the Turkish Air Force's F4s, also deployed for PODA23, marking a further moment of integration between allied air forces.
This event, held on a regular basis, besides providing an opportunity for training in a context Interforce A joint multinational (Combined), has the objective of consolidating the readiness and response capabilities of the forces NATO in the face of potential threats in the region. Through realistic and complex simulations, the exercise aims to strengthen cohesion among allied forces and optimise the synchronisation of air operations.
