The trial manager, Col. Sampaoli, stated: “we studied the flow of communications and the type of information available to make them usable within the timescales and methods of the new Time Sensitive Targeting concept.” During the twelve days of operational activity, airborne, maritime and land-based operations were simulated. Over 1200 flying hours were completed, with over 50 aircraft deployed, including fighters, electronic warfare aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles and helicopters. Over 1300 men and women, 15 ground assets, ships, and a unique data-sharing network were involved. Electronic warfare against terrorists began in Cagliari, in the military section of Elmas Airport, at the Decimomannu base, and extended to the joint training area of Salto di Quirra, which encompasses the bases of Capo San Lorenzo and Perdasdefogu.
The experimentation activity included a different scenario each day, during which a terrorist-type threat was reproduced. Most of the simulated exercises were carried out in the Sardinian maritime area and at very high altitudes, precisely to minimise the inconvenience to the population. Among the various simulations, a scenario involving an attack on a convoy with the use of IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) was reconstructed and, to counter it, new electronic systems, produced by the Air Force's Electronic Warfare Department (RESTOGE), capable of preventing the activation of explosives, were successfully tested. Unmanned aircraft were also used, such as the Ravens of the 41st Italian Army Regiment, the Wasp, the Vector-P and the US Maveric, which became part of the process of reconnaissance and distribution of images, identifying where the “Red Force” (personnel of the 5th Engineer Guastatori Regiment of the Sassari Brigade and the Air Riflemen of the Air Force simulating terrorist cells) were hiding the possible IEDs, but not only.
Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs) have indeed been used significantly in anti-smuggling activities. It was in this capacity that the Air Force's new unmanned aircraft, the “Strix” (video), made its debut. It is a mini-UAV, developed by the Air Force's UAV Centre of Excellence, and is also operated by specialised personnel from the Air Force Riflemen and the Air Force Raiders Unit (RIAM). The Air Force has purchased three units, one control station and one launch ramp.
Another important activity conducted during the two weeks of the Trial was to significantly improve the reconnaissance capabilities of the Alliance forces in the area of operations. The aim is to have near real-time images and footage of what is happening on land or at sea. This situational awareness, known in military jargon as “situation awareness”, allows for the improvement of the operational capabilities of NATO forces, offering greater safety and effectiveness.
In this sector, 8 Tornado fighter aircraft from the 6th Wing at Ghedi (Brescia), the 50th Wing at Piacenza and the Experimental Flight Department at Pratica di Mare were used. Also important was the presence of 2 AM-X aircraft from Amendola and HH-3F helicopters from the 15th Wing, HH212, NH500 and 2 EH 101 helicopters from the Italian Navy. There was also a NATO AWACS radar aircraft (NATO was also present with a research ship), electronic warfare aircraft and fighters from Spain, Germany, France, Turkey and the United States. The Italian Army was present with several radar and GBAD (Ground Base Air Defense) assets and the RISTA task force (equipped with passive sensors in the radio frequency and communications sector). The operational personnel, land, naval and air assets of the Trial Hammer were embedded in a highly complex system of detection, analysis and information sharing (interoperability through data sharing). The result was to provide NATO with reliable answers on the functionality of new systems, equipment and procedures, pooled for the occasion among NATO partners.
In particular, one of the Trial's objectives is indeed to minimise the loss of civilian lives during counter-terrorism operations and to develop, through reconnaissance capabilities, a deterrent effect against carrying out attacks. At the time of the final debriefing of the Trial in Decimomannu, Mr Peter Flory (NATO Assistant Secretary General for Defence Investment) was present on behalf of NATO, and he emphasised how «Trial Imperial Hammer was an important opportunity in NATO intelligence exercises. The aim was to provide commands and assets with the necessary intelligence support to combat terrorism». The simulated exercise falls within the scope of NATO's planned activities for the transformation of its military capabilities.
«I hope that the new technologies tested here in Sardinia today will tomorrow provide definitive answers to the questions of the NATO commanders. The Trial Imperial Hammer was a moment of sharing experiences between 15 partner nations of the Alliance and 10 NATO agencies. Interoperability made possible thanks to the high professionalism of the military personnel operating in this delicate sector of electronic warfare,» underlined General Carmine Pollice, commander of the Air Squad Command, in his opening speech at the meeting at Decimomannu Airport.
Colonel Sandro Sampaoli, Trial Manager of the exercise and commander of the Air Force Electronic Warfare Department was responsible for coordinating the Trial “In planning the Imperial Hammer Trial, I sought to achieve two fundamental objectives,” said Colonel Sampaoli “The first was to acquire all the evaluations necessary to carry out an effective and efficient activity in order to make available to NATO and to the participating nations, those evaluations useful for the planning of long-term activities and to direct their future choices in the field of Electronic Warfare and C4-ISTAR. The second objective was to be able to make the most of the inter-force, air, land and naval assets that were made available by the various nations, in order to make them as interoperable as possible. In particular, we studied the flow of communications and the type of information available to make it usable in the time and manner of the new Time Sensitive Targeting (TST) concept”. Multimedia Contributions: - Video: Tg2 Dossier Storie of 11/10/2008; - Video: Tg2 of 07/10/2008; - Video: Videolina of 08/10/2008; - Video:Tg3 Sardegna of 03/10/2008; - Video:Natochannell.tv of 01/10/2008; - Video:Natochannell.tv of 02/10/2008; - Video:Natochannell.tv ‘The trial'of 02/10/2008; - Video:Video promo; - Video:Video ClipTIH-08 - Audio: Press Conference in Brussels. Photo Gallery - Photos edited by M.llo Ricci (Troupe Azzurra SMA 5th) and Sergeant Massimo Giannavola (AM Public Information Office): - TIH-08 Photo Gallery; - Press Review - Edited by Sergeant Giuseppe Pani (AM Public Information Office): - TIH-08 Press Review Insights: - Ansa; - Adnkronos.
Participants: For information, please contact:
– Captain Erminio Englaro – Public Affairs Trial Imperial Hammer Cell.3204338446.
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