The activity enabled the exchange of skills in the search and rescue and maritime patrol sectors. The cooperation activity between crews took place in Sigonella, from 23 to 24 October. 41st Wing of the Italian Air Force (AM) in Sigonella and the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM), known as “Fixed Wing Crew Knowledge activity on TTPs” and aimed at the exchange of expertise in the field of Maritime patrol with particular reference to Search and rescue (SAR). Two very intense days, as part of a bilateral agreement of Italian Defence Cooperation Mission (MICCD) with Malta, for the purpose of sharing and comparing, in this specific case, experiences and procedures in the use of the aircraft P-72A of the 41st Wing and the Beechcraft King Air B200 of the AFM. The crews of the two nations were able to carry out joint flight activities, conducting demonstrative activities on both aircraft.
Aboard the P-72A the national crew demonstrated the capabilities of the weapon system in the field of patrolling aimed at Sea rescue operations. In particular, the sighting of shipwreck survivors was simulated, along with all subsequent phases, from alerting the relevant authorities to coordinating sea rescues, to the OBTs (On Board Technicians) preparing to open the rear door to launch a flare – to mark the exact position of the shipwreck survivors – and the subsequent launch of the self-inflating life raft. As a corollary, the peculiarities of the on-board sensors were also highlighted in the context of maritime patrol and the acquisition of information on both sea and land.
The “P-72A” of the 41st Maritime Patrol Wing of the Italian Air Force at Sigonella is a medium-range maritime patrol aircraft, with “all-weather” characteristics and “multi-role” capabilities. Thanks to an advanced suite of sensors, it is capable of performing multiple types of missions: from maritime patrol to search and rescue at sea, electronic surveillance, surveillance activities with AIS, radar, optical, and electro-optical sensors, to aerial support for ground troops. The crews of the P-72A are made up of pilot officers and onboard technician NCOs who belong to the Italian Air Force and the Italian Navy. This characteristic synergy, established in 1965, represents a well-tested and efficient example of inter-force synergy and cooperation, well ahead of the strong inter-force development of the military instrument characteristic of recent years. In fact, the 41st Wing maintains a typically inter-force character through a combination of two perfectly integrated Components (Italian Air Force and Italian Navy), which, in the 45 years of the Atlantic's history, and even before with the “Grumman” aircraft, has yielded excellent results..
