The story of the 71st Flight Group through the eyes of its founder: General Mario Arpino On September 27, during the reenactment of the 71st Flight Group’s history, the retired General Mario Arpino visited the Air Force’s headquarters. Accompanied by Gen. D.A. Giampaolo Miniscalco, Commander of the Special Support and Special Forces Command, General Arpino had the opportunity to return to the Flight Group that saw him as Commander from 1973 to 1974. He is credited with having given the Group an official coat of arms approved by the Air Staff. Referring to the radio designation “Perseo” adopted by the Group, he adapts the mythological depiction, which fits well with the analogies of the activities carried out: the double-sided helmet gives Perseo invisibility, Mercury’s winged sandals allow him to fly, and the shield in the shape of Minerva’s shield can be considered the first rudimentary means of warfare with “deception” and “disturbance”. Finally, the severed head of Medusa in his hand symbolizes the effects that the 71st’s action has on the enemy radar systems.
During the visit, the Commander of the 14th Squadron, Colonel Giuseppe Addesa, was able to explain the new mission of the Group to the “dean” of the 71st Flight Group. General Arpino, who also assumed the positions of Chief of Staff of the Air Force and of the Defense, expressed his appreciation for the technology and the integration capabilities of the fifth-generation aircraft CAEW Ed emphasized: “I appreciate the new capabilities and programs of the Air Force during the period I spent as a operational pilot; they were unimaginable or unattainable for me.” Particular emotion and pride was expressed by all the “Perseus”, who, through the stories of the distinguished guest, recalled the history of the Group, retracing also the environments and rooms that saw it as a protagonist more than forty years ago. The visit concluded with a commemorative photo in front of the PD808 version of Guerra Elettronica and the exchange of significant items belonging to the Group's history.
The 71st Flight Group performs, within the 14th Wing, the primary task of radio measurement activities with P180 RM aircraft through a continuous operation of control of the national radio aids (Radar, VOR, DME, ILS, TACAN, etc.), to verify the validity of the radio electronic signals transmitted, which provide the aircraft with the correct indications during takeoff, landing and navigation phases. Moreover, the personnel of the 71st Flight Group, together with the newly established Mission Crew Center (C.E.M.), have contributed to the launch and development of the prestigious Conformal Airborne Early Warning program with the G550 CAEW aircraft; an important capability, indispensable and strategically relevant within the command and information functions, which ensures an adequate extension of the surveillance capabilities, also understood as Electronic Surveillance, in operational inter-service contexts, both for national defense and in off-site operations. The 14th Squadron is based at the Military Airport of Pratica di Mare and is subordinate to the Air Force Command through the Support and Special Forces Command. It conducts missions in the field of in-flight refueling, radio measurements, transport and training with the KC767A aircraft (whose Operational Control is entrusted to the European Air Transport Command of Eindhoven), the P180 Avanti, and in the field of airspace surveillance with the G550 CAEW aircraft in accordance with the plans and directives received from the Air Force Command, the High Command of the Air Force.
