On 7 September, three new operators of the Italian Air Force successfully completed their final exams to obtain qualification.
On-board Technical Operator (OTB) on board the P-72A aircraft of the 41st Anti-Submarine Wing of Sigonella. Among the P-72A crew members, OBT is one of the peculiar roles that historically has been provided by AM specialists, unlike others that could also come from the Navy (MM). In fact, as a unique example in the Armed Forces, the crews of the
The 41st Wing comes from both the ranks of the Air Force and the Navy.. The need for the course, aimed at personnel in the “On-Board Operator” category already assigned to the 41st Wing, arose with the introduction into service of the P-72A aircraft and the consequent reshaping of OBT roles – who already operated on the “Atlantic” – in order to carry out the mission in all its phases. The aspiring airmen began their training in January 2020 and, after undergoing an Entry Level Test to determine their aptitude for deployment on board the aircraft, followed a specific theoretical and, in particular, practical path with intense flight training, both day and night, always supervised by tutors from the 86th Crew Training Centre of the 41st Wing. Upon qualification, while congratulating the new OBTs, the Commander of the 41st Wing and Sigonella Airport, Colonel Gianluca Chiriatti, told them: ’
In recent years, the P-72A asset has grown considerably, earning acclaim both nationally and internationally. This is thanks to you crews, who have learned to utilise it to its full capabilities. Your enthusiasm and professionalism, as well as being an incentive to improve, are an added value for the Armed Forces, and provide full testimony for further enhancing the operational capabilities of the weapon system. 41st Wing“With the inevitable difficulties arising from the current emergency situation related to COVID-19, the course has always been carried out in strict compliance with all precautionary health measures.
The “
P-72A”The 41st Antisubmarine Wing of Sigonella is a medium-range maritime patrol aircraft, with “all-weather” capabilities and able to carry out a variety of missions. Its main characteristics are versatility, rapid intervention, deployability, real-time data sharing capability, and reliability, which make the P-72A a cutting-edge weapon system. Although particularly suited for medium-low altitude maritime use, the aircraft can operate in diverse environments, at various latitudes, with considerably different climatic factors, regardless of light conditions (H24) and in marginal meteorological conditions.
