Astral Knight, a US-led training activity that saw the participation of Croatian and Slovenian personnel and assets, in addition to national ones. From 3 to 6 June, the “Joint and Multinational” exercise named Astral Knight2019, led by the US Air Force in Europe (USAFE), took place at the Aviano airport. Its theme was integrated air defence, with the aim of increasing command, control, and coordination capabilities. Such exercises ensure a solid partnership and strengthen the interoperability of the assets of the participating countries belonging to the Atlantic Alliance.
What is particularly important is the concept of interoperability between Italian and US assets, which allows for the maintenance of air superiority and information capabilities. This means strategic awareness of the scenario, enabling decision-makers to have the right option for any type of intervention.
The Italian Air Force participated with F-35 fighter jets of
32nd Wingat Amendola, the Eurofighters of the 4th Wing of Grosseto, the 36th Wing of Gioia del Colle and the 37th Wing of Trapani – all deployed to the 51st Wing of Istrana where they received the necessary technical-logistical support –, as well as with a G-550 (CAEW) aircraft of the 14th Wing of Pratica di Mare.
The USAFE participated with F-16 fighter jets from the 31st Fighter Wing (FW), F-35s from the 388th Fighter Wing and 419th Fighter Wing, KC-135s from the 100th Air Refueling Wing, 507th Air Refueling Wing and 931st Air Refueling Wing, KC-10s from the 514th Air Refueling Wing, and E-3s from the 505th Air Control Wing. The United States also deployed the Patriot missile system from the 10th Army Air and Missile Defence Command, which operated from the port of Koper with the support of a component of Slovenian military personnel. Croatia participated with MiG-21s.
The air force's Distinguished Visitor Day was attended by the Commander of 1st Air Region of Milan and Commander of Combat Forces, Air Division General Silvano Frigerio, LtGen Steven Basham, Deputy USAFE/AFARICA from Ramstein (Germany), Major General Alenka Ermenc, Chief of the General Staff of the Slovenian Defence and Brigadier General Mato Mikic, Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Air Force.
In his speech, General Frigerio, extending the welcome from the Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of Staff of the Air Force, wished to highlight the solid relations between Italy and the United States, further confirmed by the presence of USAF units at Aviano Air Base since 1954 and, since 1994, with the 31st FW. He then thanked the United States for organising the exercise, viewing it as an opportunity to enhance strategic interoperability among participants and to strengthen command and control in IAMD.
Integrated Air and Missile DefenceHe also thanked Croatia and Slovenia for taking this opportunity to encourage collective readiness. General Frigerio then emphasised how Italy, after achieving IOC (Initial Operational Capability) in November 2018, is the first nation in Europe to be operational with 5th generation F-35 fighter jets, focusing on the need to continue training with allies and regional partners, in line with the Defence Cooperation Initiative between various South-Eastern European nations.
