Two F35-B aircraft of the 32nd Stormo of Amendola were deployed for a week in Iceland as part of the “Thunder” exercise.”
In recent days, from June 20 to 27, the event took place in Iceland the exercise “Thunder”which had as its purpose to lead Training activities with the aircraft F35-B del 32nd Wing of the Air Force in remote areas and semi/non-permissive environments, characterized by harsh climates and runways of reduced length unsuitable for conventional fighter aircraft. For the occasion, a package of rapid intervention forces was deployed, with reduced logistical impact, which was deployed for a short and limited period of time at the Icelandic airport of Keflavik. Keflavík, where four have been at risk since April F35-A of the 32nd Stormtrooper Squadron for the NATO operation Air Policing “Northern Lightning III“.
This is a completely new innovation: For the first time in fact, a pair of F35-B STOVL (Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing) of the 32nd Air Wing was deployed outside national borders within the context of an international scenario. The Armed Forces carried out the transfer of aircraft in total autonomy, using specific arrangements including a KC-767A of the 14th Stormtrooper Squadron from Pratica di Mare, which ensured the refueling in flight and the transport of materials and personnel, and a C-130J of the 46th Air Brigade of Pisa with functions Search and Rescue.
The exercise has allowed the consolidation process to continue – begun two years ago by the Armed Forces – to be completed. Capacity Air Expeditionary, This allows for operations in specific operational environments such as damaged or small runways, as well as at airport terminals with limited technical and logistical resources. Once again, the The 5th generation aircraft, considered for its remarkable versatility of use, has proven to be a fundamental asset for the Armed Forces. especially in terms of completing the ability to rapidly project Aerospace Power away from the homeland.
The capacity Air Expeditionary, The Air Force, which constitutes a clear expression of the aerospace power, in accordance with the pillars on which air supremacy is based, cannot be separated from two key factors: time and distance. These, which are both closely related to altitude, speed and range, have as a direct consequence the fact that the weapon system employed together with the reduced logistical support required to maintain it become decisive for the successful outcome of the mission to be carried out.
The 32nd Wing, based in Amendola (Foggia), it is one of the Flight Departments of the Italian Air Force, subordinate to the Air Force Command of Rome, through the Combat Forces Command of Milan. The first department in Europe to operate with the F-35A aircraft, which since March 2018 has been integrated into the National Air Defense System, contributing to the defense of the Italian skies with specific operational capabilities and state-of-the-art technology. After achieving the Initial Operational Capability (IOC), which took place in 2018, Participate, from 2019, Also to Operations NATO of Air Policing Beyond national borders. The 32nd Squadron is the only Air Wing in the European panorama that used together both F-35A (CTOL) which F-35B (STOVL) – from February 2020 – contributing, with the 5th generation aircraft, to the capability Air Expeditionary of the Armed Forces.
Furthermore, by using the Remotely Piloted Aircraft (APR) MQ1-C and MQ9-A, the Department carries out operations Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition & Reconnaissance (ISTAR), both national and coalition ones. Finally, through the MB-339 aircraft, the 32nd Air Wing completes the training of APR pilots to maintain the expected adequate operational level even on traditional-flight aircraft.
