Friday 21 November saw the conclusion of the 4th edition of the exercise “Claw 2025”, which took place at the Piacenza Airport Detachment, in the locality of San Damiano, planned and conducted by 17th Attack Wing, under the coordination of 1st Special Operations Air Brigade (BAOS).
The activity represents the final act of 10th BIAM Course (Military Air Force Raider's Brevet), one of the most demanding selective and training courses, lasting approximately two years overall, which transforms young recruits into Italian Air Force Raiders.
In line with constantly evolving operational contexts and experience gained in a multinational environment, the exercise reaffirmed the Armed Force's commitment to the practical, credible, and interoperable implementation of the NATO concept of Agile Combat Employment (ACE), integrating Special Forces with 4th and 5th generation assets and high-intensity multi-domain infrastructure.
During the exercise, the Piacenza Detachment was transformed into a austere advanced operating node, simulating an airport infrastructure in ‘contested’ territory, subject to multi-domain threat and with limited logistical capabilities. In this scenario, the Commando Cadets and an Operational Detachment of 17th Wing They conducted a broad-spectrum mission that ranged from intelligence gathering to engaging selected targets, to regenerating assets and exfiltration. The operational narrative reproduced the model of Global Access Operations (GAO), capacity that the Combat Control Team of the Armed Force are developing within the scope of advanced aerospace projection to enable ACE.
The Special Operations Task Unit the 17th Wing conducted an infiltration cover with the aim of making an “opportunity” landing strip operational and secure, unknown and potentially monitored by the enemy, allowing the re-arming and refuelling of air assets engaged in generating effects Counter-A2AD (Anti-Access / Area Denial) against sensitive objectives and enemy nodes.
The operations began with the infiltration of the trainees and operators from the 17th Wing via a HH-101A del 9th Wing, using the technique Chips Fast Rope Insertion Extraction System), which were followed by missions Special Reconnaissance and Direct Action aimed at gathering critical information and neutralising assigned targets. In support of ground operations, the F-2000A aircraft 4th Wing of Grosseto and 51st Wing of Istrana, engaged in activities Close Air Support (CAS), together with a PA-200 Tornado of the 6th Wing led by a second Special Operations Task Unit (SOTU), engaged in combined SR – GAAI operations Ground Assisted Air Interdiction, to actively reduce threats from the ground and conduct interception of High Value Targets. This device has paved the way for the controlled insertion of a F-35A Lightning II of the 6th Wing, vital in the sanitisation of so-called ‘contested’ operational areas.
At the end of the objectives, the Special Forces were exfiltrated by cover Give C-27J of the 46th Air Brigade, confirming the high level of integration between aerial assets and surface aerospace components.
Element of absolute importance in “Claw 2025”was the realisation for the first time in a ‘contested’ environment and on an alternating basis — of a Forward Arming and Refuelling Point (FARP) in favour of an F-35A from the 6th Wing “Diavoli Rossi”. Thanks to the full interoperability between the asset and operators of the Special Forces of the Air Force, the aircraft was quickly and safely brought to land on the San Damiano runway, where the FARP Team del 3rd Wing of Villafranca you have executed a “Hot refuelling”, that is, with the engine running and pilot on board, drastically reducing regeneration times and allowing the F-35A to return to flight in a few minutes. This capability represents one of the pivotal elements today in regenerating the air power of a 5th-generation aircraft in a few minutes from a airfield ‘dispersed and potentially under hostile attack.
“Artiglio 2025” was not only the conclusion of the training course for the Raider Cadets, but it represented a new piece in the construction of the’Agile Combat Employment of the Italian Air Force, the integration therefore of special capabilities, latest generation platforms, rotary-wing assets, FARP capabilities and the exercise of advanced and mature C2 nodes in increasingly complex multidomain environments.
The Raiders of the 17th Raider Wing of the Air Force thus confirm themselves as fundamental enablers of National Aerospace Projection, capable of ensuring access, openness, and protection of advanced bases in hostile territories.
A result that strengthens the Armed Forces' resilience, readiness, and response capability in modern operational scenarios.
