The rotation follows the return of the F-16 units by a few days, which had been deployed to Decimomannu airbase for operation “Unified Protector” since last March. The handover ceremony was attended by Lieutenant Colonel Maurizio Riccitelli, representing the RSSTA Commander, to whom the outgoing Spanish commander expressed his sincere gratitude for the valuable logistical and operational support provided by Italian personnel.
As of 15 October, the air support from the Spanish contingent in Operation “Unified Protector”, present at RSSTA since 19 March, consists of a B.707, a CASA 235 and a KC-130 tanker aircraft, as the four F-18 aircraft engaged until now returned to Spain over the weekend. In addition to supporting NATO's “Unified Protector” operation, RSSTA guarantees support for Air Force Flight Groups in air-to-air, air-to-ground and air combat training.
