On the occasion of 154th Flying Group transition “Red Devils” to the 5th Generation F-35 aircraft, a series of events were organised at the 6th Wing to mark, in the presence of the Commander of the Combat Forces Command, Major General Marco Lant, this pivotal moment for the Department.
The ceremony marking the change of command, which saw the transfer of personnel and equipment under the aegis of the 154th Flying Group, was accompanied by symbolic initiatives to celebrate a fundamental transition for the 6th Wing, which is transforming while preserving full operational capability for the F-35 and Tornado.
“This handover, from the Tornado to the F-35, isn't just a change of aircraft – stated that the General Lant – It is a bridge between a glorious past and a future of even more ambitious challenges. It requires new skills, new methodologies, constant and tireless training. I am certain that you will face all this with the same pioneering spirit, the same passion and the same rigour.
The event marked the 6th Wing's conversion to Main Operating Base (JSF) reference This also resulted in the Department being assigned the mission of National Air Defence, to protect national airspace. The multi-role Tornado capabilities will therefore be concentrated within the 155th Flying Squadron. “Black Panthers” until the end of the operational life of the 3rd generation aircraft.
The 154th Flight Group was the first unit to receive the Tornado, in 1982, demonstrating its unique capabilities and playing a leading role, alongside the 6th Wing, in crisis scenarios from the post-war period to the present day.
It Commander of the 6th Wing, Colonel Luca Giuseppe Vitaliti, During the ceremony, he expressed words of admiration and gratitude for the Tornado fleet personnel: “You have been and will continue to be the best interpreters of a glorious tradition, which you will continue to embody in new roles and new challenges, where once again, as always, your value and experience with the Tornado will be an indispensable lever for building our future, just as it was in achieving the transition to the F-35, which we celebrate today. Be aware that even when the Tornado no longer flies, the spirit and style that characterise the ’Tornado approach“ will be a fundamental heritage, which must therefore be preserved and passed down..”
Finally addressing the F-35 Flying Groups, the 102nd Flying Group “Paperi” and the 154th Flying Group “Diavoli Rossi” (Red Devils), Col. Vitaliti remarked on the importance of 5th Generation assets within the scope of national defence, Force protection and success in multi-domain military operations.
On the occasion of the important generational handover, a “special livery” dedicated to what the Tornado aircraft has represented for the history of the 154th Flight Group and the 6th Wing in these 43 years of operational history. The special livery, in the historic red and black colours, centres on the historic emblem of the 154th Flight Group which projects onto the target ideally supported by the Tornado aircraft and the F-35. The silhouettes of the two aircraft converge, touching the sides of the stylised arrow containing the historic emblem of the 154th, “Arrow of the 154th” with inside it “Red Devil. The arrow is projected from the wake of the “Rising Sun”, symbol that, in the Group's tradition, recalls the motto “BANZAI - dive-bombing the lens”, coined during the First Gulf War.
It 6th Wing “Alfredo Fusco” It has the task of acquiring and maintaining the capability to carry out attack, reconnaissance and support operations for surface forces, electronic reconnaissance and support operations for attack forces against enemy forces and potential. It ensures the air defence of the area of national interest, contributing to the control of airspace from peacetime. It carries out air defence operations in assigned areas as part of participation in international operations across the full spectrum of conflict and/or crisis.
Ensure the operational conversion and standardisation of flight crews assigned to the Tornado IDS/ECR line.
Operate the PA-200 aircraft “Tornado” e F-35A “Lightning II.
Collaborate with civil authorities for public order, in cases of emergency and/or natural disasters.
It depends hierarchically on Combat Forces Command which in turn is dependent on Air Squad Command and 1st Air Region Staying in Milan.
