Operation “Dardo”: the Air Riflemen in Cervia (RA) train for 5 days the personnel of the local Force Protection Group. On March 17, a team of FCA and aircraft from the 16th Air Wing took to the skies aboard a C-27J of the 46th Air Brigade of Pisa to begin the exercise “Dardo”, which involved the Protection Group of the Romagna Division Forces in order to assist, complement and implement the Local Defense systems in critical situations. In a simulation of a complex scenario, almost all the assets of the Air Force were deployed, including the Lightweight Multi-Role Tactical Vehicles (VTLM).“Lynx”assigned to the Air Riflemen. The range of events to be faced was the most diverse and complex and simulated, to name a few, the discovery of explosive/non-exploding devices, the presence of unauthorized persons (intruders), as well as the monitoring activity of the infrastructure aimed at identifying sensitive points. The complete interoperability between the air and ground components was tested using Force Protection personnel, using techniques for boarding/disembarking from helicopters, to protect the crews and the aircraft (HH-3F) deployed in the 15th Squadron. On March 21, at the end of the exercise and after a de-briefing among the components that had trained together, a C-27J of the 46th Air Brigade of Pisa carried out the deployment of the Air Rangers (FCA) of the 16th “Protection of Forces” Squadron of Martina Franca (TA). Soon FCA personnel will be engaged in other training activities at other Air Force Departments with the aim of implementing synergy between the various units/components of the Navy.
The 15th Air Wing with its Groups/Centres guarantees 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the search and rescue of flight crews in difficulty, in addition to contributing to public utility activities such as the search for missing persons at sea or in the mountains, the emergency medical transport of patients in life-threatening danger and the rescue of seriously traumatized persons. Since its establishment to date, the 15th Air Wing has saved approximately 7,000 people in life-threatening danger. The Air Rangers of the 16th Air Wing “Protection of Forces” have the task of ensuring the safety and protection of personnel, vehicles and materials, as well as installations and infrastructure of particular interest to the Armed Forces, both domestically and internationally.
In recent years, the Air Rangers have acquired new operational capabilities, including Forward Air Controller (FAC), which allows the coordination from the ground of the aircraft used in close air support. Furthermore, with the introduction in the operational theater of the mini remote-controlled aircraft (A.P.R.) STRIX-C, the Air Riflemen have enriched the range of assigned missions, with capabilities Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) in support of the patrol activity.
