As part of an international cooperation programme, the 8th Flight Group of the 14th Wing hosted a delegation from the Japanese Air Force.
The Japanese Air Self-Defence Force's KC-767J landed at Pratica di Mare on 2 November, carrying a delegation led by Major General Takuya Watanabe and composed of pilots, onboard operators, and technicians from the 404th Air Wing. Airlift Tanker Squadron Kōmari Airport in Aichi Prefecture (Japan). The delegation of 21 military personnel was welcomed by Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF), Air Division General Enrico Degni, current commander of the Mobility and Support Forces Command (CFMS).
The delegation, coming from the 1st Tactical Airlift Group, shares with the 8th Flight Group of 14th Wing of the Italian Air Force Italian the Tanker KC-767 project of Boeing e a fleet of 4 aircraft used for both transport and aerial refuelling. The visit, structured over 2 days, represented a valuable opportunity for both nations to share their experience with the KC-767 aircraft; through briefings and guided tours, various types of activities currently involving the asset were discussed, as well as future projects concerning the Tanker aircraft, which are increasingly being employed due to their crucial tactical and strategic function in military operations and exercises.
The visit of the Japanese delegation to Pratica di Mare is part of a wider framework of collaboration that the Air Force has long structured with the Japan Air Self-Defence Force The current deployment of the Japanese KC-767J to Pratica di Mare military airport, already planned as part of the periodic meetings between the two Air Forces' Staffs, was defined during the recent visit to Japan by the Chief of Staff of the Italian Air Force, Air Fleet General Luca Goretti, during his meeting with the JASDF Chief of Staff, General Shunji Izutsu.
These initiatives represent fundamental training and sharing moments Best practices between crews as well as a practical expression of the respective Armed Forces' will to seek mutually beneficial collaboration opportunities for the development of common platforms (KC-767) and capabilities Air-to-air refuelling (AAR), in order to achieve greater standardisation of procedures, an increase in the level of interoperability and system integration, also in anticipation of possible joint activities.
The 8th Flight Group is part of the 14th Wing which is based at the “Mario de Bernardi” military airport in Pratica di Mare and is subordinate to the Command of Mobility and Support Forces of Rome, whose superior High Command is the Air Force Command. The Wing conducts air surveillance missions with Gulfstream G-550 CAEW aircraft, radio measurements and tactical transport, also for the Department of Civil Protection, with P-180 Avanti I and II aircraft, and in-flight refuelling, strategic transport and bio-containment transport with KC-767A aircraft. In the last two years, it has particularly distinguished itself by being deployed during the Covid emergency (for the transport of sick personnel and materials) and for having taken part in Operation Aquila Omnia (evacuation of Italian personnel and troops from Afghanistan following the cessation of’Operation Steadfast Support), for which the 14th Wing was awarded the Gold Medal for Aeronautic Valour.
