Italian Air Force aircraft struck two devices used for radio communications by the rebels in the Bakwa district. This is the second target of this type to be destroyed within a few weeks and always in the same area, a few kilometres from the “Lavaredo” Forward Operating Base, where the Task Force South East, made up of Alpini troops from the 2nd Regiment, is deployed.
Image analysts from the “Black Cats” Task Group identified the solar-powered equipment, located on top of a mountain, after reviewing hundreds of images captured by reconnaissance systems.
The success of the operation was guaranteed by the use of precision weaponry and close coordination with the Task Force South East team in communication with the aircraft, as well as by the use of ‘Predator’ remotely piloted aircraft of the “Astore” Task Group, which constantly monitored the area where the antennas were located from above. Since February of this year, the Italian Air Force AMX aircraft deployed in Herat have carried out operations in support of ground troops without causing collateral damage. The “Black Cats” Task Group, equipped with AMX fighter-bomber aircraft, carries out reconnaissance and close air support missions for allied and Afghan forces on the ground, with pilots and specialists coming from the 51st Wing of Istrana, the 32nd Wing of Amendola (Foggia) and the 3rd Aircraft Maintenance Department of Treviso.
The Task Group falls under the Italian Air Force's Joint Air Task Force based in Herat, which is tasked with managing the flight assets assigned to the NATO Operational Command for Afghanistan, operating mainly in the western region currently under the responsibility of the Taurinense Alpine Brigade.
