Qualified Tactical Air Control Party Operator trainees
From 30 September to 25 October, at the headquarters of 16th Wing “Force Protection” In Martina Franca (TA), the 1st Course for the acquisition of the Tactical Air Control Party Operator (TACP-Op) qualification was held. Air Gunners, with JTAC (Joint Terminal Attack Controller) qualifications, they have, for 4 weeks, conducted intensive training for the personnel attending the Course.
The training took place over approximately one month. The complex training process required activities to be carried out in different geographical areas. During the first two weeks, theoretical and practical lessons were held in the training classrooms of the Training Group and in the training areas of the 16th Wing. In the third week, the attending and instructor personnel then operated on the grounds of the 37th Wing in Trapani Birgi, where practical lessons were conducted through interaction with Eurofighter aircraft. The final week, finally, was dedicated to final checks at the Air Cooperation School (S.A.C.) on the grounds of the 60th Wing in Guidonia (RM), a NATO-accredited interforce institute responsible for training JTAC operators, both nationally and from allied countries.
The JTAC qualification is one of the capabilities expressed by the Air rifleman component (FCA), which is of fundamental importance in most operational contexts, especially in operations outside national borders (OFCN), as well as providing valuable support to the flight groups of the Operational Wings in the acquisition and maintenance of the Air to Land Integration capability. Joint Terminal Attack Controller You are required to manage and integrate, under your own responsibility, various offensive assets (air, land, and naval). For correct conduct, you will be supported by the TACP Operator (O-TACP), who requires adequate professional training to enable them to operate to the highest standards of effectiveness.
FCA qualified JTAC personnel, during their extensive operations, have been employed in major international operational theatres including Afghanistan, Mali and Iraq, as well as participating in major international exercises.
The 16th Wing is the Air Riflemen Department. Since 2004 it has been based at Martina Franca and is under the command of the Mobility and Support Forces Command and the Air Squad Command – 1st Air Region. Its main task is to ensure, according to the assigned readiness levels, the operational capability of the specialised components of Force Protection for Air Operations, to ensure participation in the protection of personnel, weapon systems, means and materials, as well as areas, sites and infrastructures of particular interest to the Armed Force, located on national territory or abroad.
Since 2004, it has operated in 37 different international missions, in as many as 20 theatres of operations worldwide, accumulating over 40,000 flight hours, of which 25,000 were for the safety of Air Force aircraft and those on board. The War Flag of the 16th “Force Protection” Wing has been decorated with a Gold and a Silver Medal of Aeronautical Valor by the President of the Republic.
