In recent days the fleet of fighter aircraft Eurofighter of the 36th Wing He achieved the important achievement of 50,000 flight hours. A prestigious achievement that began on October 1, 2007, when the first aircraft landed at the military airport of Gioia del Colle. Eurofighter assigned to the Puglia Air Wing. The Eurofighters of the 36th began their National air surveillance service e NATO Since January 5, 2009, so much so that today the Stormo represents the “focal point”of the Air Defence of the southern Mediterranean. The important goal achieved was achieved thanks to the countless Operational activities carried out by the X and XII Fighter Groups, both nationally and internationally. Among many others, we remember the operational support in Libyan skies with the’Operation “Unified Protector“ and the missions NATO of Air Policing in the air spaces of Iceland, Estonia, Lithuania and Bulgaria and the defense of the heavens Albania, Slovenia and Montenegro which is provided directly by the airport of Gioia del Colle. A constant operational commitment that is always present in the international scene; it is enough to consider that aircraft, crews and technical staff of Stormo are currently deployed there.’Romanian airport of Constanța in defense of the eastern front of the Alliance’s skies.
50,000 hours of flight, a goal not only made possible thanks to the “Swing Role”of the multi-role aircraft, capable of performing Air Defense missions, interdiction, support to the land and naval components, or reconnaissance, but also from the decisive work carried out by Group Efficienza Aeromobili (G.E.A.), in terms of maintenance and the production of flight hours. The’Eurofighter at the service of 4th, 36th, 37th and 51st Stormo It is identifiable as the most modern of the combat aircraft developed and built in Europe. 50,000 hours of flight, characterized by the valor of the men and women of the 36th Fighter Wing, their outstanding military virtues, the admirable spirit of sacrifice, and exemplary efficiency that have always distinguished a reality at the service of the country and the international community that still includes, today, Flag with more war decorations of the Air Force.
The 36th Fighter Wing, which depends on Air Squad Command through the Combat Forces Command, he is one of the Storms of the Air Defense of the Italian Air Force ensures 24/7, 365 days a year, without interruption, the surveillance of the National Air Space, By means of a complex integrated air defense system dating back to peacetime with that of the other NATO countries. The immediate takeoff order, in jargon Scramble, is provided by the CAOC (Combined Air Operations Centreand Torrejón (Spain), responsible for the airspace surveillance service in southern Europe, at the operational rooms of the 11th D.A.M.I. Group. of Poggio Renatico (FE) and 22nd D.A.M.I. Group. by Licola (NA). The two Groups are located, through the intermediary of D.A.M.I. Department., depending on the Aerospace Control Brigade,which performs the functions of Service Provider and a representative of Forza Armata, through Aerospace Operations Command, in the sectors of Integrated Missile Defense and Coordination and Control of Operational Air Traffic.
The flag of the 36th Fighter Wing It is still today the one with the most war decorations of the entire Air Force: a Silver Medal for Military Valor in the 36th Ground Bombardment Wing, a Gold Medal for Military Valor in the 36th Aerosiluranti Wing, a Silver Medal for Military Valor in the 36th Night Fighter Wing, a Knight’s Cross of the Military Order of Italy in the 36th Fighter Wing, while personnel have been awarded a total of 8 Gold Medals for Military Valor in memory, 43 Silver Medals, 123 Bronze Medals and 27 War Crosses.
