14TH STORM CELEBRATES 35 YEARS OF ACTIVITY

Monday 6th June, celebrations at Pratica di Mare air base. The 14th Wing, disbanded on 15th January 1942, began its history anew on 1st June 1976 at Pratica di Mare airport, when it was reconstituted and organised into two flying Groups, the 8th and 71st. The 8th Flying Group, which boasts amongst its characteristics that of being the first Group constituted within the Royal Air Force, guarantees, with the recent ’Entry Into Service’ of the Boeing KC767-A aircraft (for news of the ceremony, Click herean exceptional capability for projecting the national and NATO air component. The KC767-A represents the natural replacement for the Italian Armed Forces of the Boeing B-707T/T aircraft, widely used in air-to-air refuelling (AAR) operations and strategic air transport. The 71st Flying Group, on the other hand, equipped with P-180 and P-166 DL-3 aircraft, provides aerial photogrammetry, short-range transport, and radio measurements, as well as urgent medical transport upon request from prefectures and the Situation Room of the Air Force Staff throughout the national territory.