The CAEW E-550A aircraft has just returned, having been deployed to Waddington for the complex international exercise hosted by the Royal Air Force.
From 31 August, Waddington Royal Air Force base in Great Britain hosted the second and final edition of the complex exercise for the year 2023 Cobra Warrior, which sees the air forces of various partner countries annually star’North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.
The main objective of the exercise is to train new operational tactics instructors for the fighter aircraft and integrate and synchronise air force capabilities NATO in contexts characterised by complex and changing operations, the execution of which requires particular Interoperability e flexibility. Further training focus involved the simulation of multi-domain missions, carried out to test the multi-role capabilities of fighter aircraft and their skills in conducting operations in different natural environments.
The Italian Air Force took part, deploying an aircraft E-550A CAEW redeployed on site and a KC-767A that operated directly from Pratica di Mare. The aircraft of 14th Wing they carried out missions respectively of Airborne Early Warning/Battlespace Management and Air to Air Refuelling in collaboration with British, US, and Norwegian fighter jets and other Canadian and NATO support aircraft.
Specifically, British Eurofighter jets, USAF and RAF F-35A/Bs, Canadian F-18s, NATO AWACS, and several aircraft for the In-flight refuelling. British helicopters have also collaborated on particular types of training missions.
The scheduled training missions are of different natures: DCADefensive Counter Air), SEADSuppression of Enemy Air Defences), AIAir Interdiction) e Public RelationsPersonal Recovery). The E-550A CAEW carried out flight missions for the training of pilots of the 71st Flying Group and controllers Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) del Mission Crew Centre conducting control activities of aerotactic aircraft used in the exercise.
The 14th Wing also deployed the KC-767A which carried out in-flight refuelling sorties for aircraft from the various air forces participating in the exercise.
It 14th Wing is based at the’Military Airport “Mario de Bernardi” at Pratica di Mare and it depends on the Mobility and Support Forces Command, which reports to its superior High Command: Air Squad Command.
The Department is organised into two Flying Groups: the 71st Flying Group “Perseus, leading missions of Airborne Early Warning with CAEW aircraft and radio measurement and tactical transport activities, also for the benefit of the Civil Protection Department, with P-180 Avanti I and II aircraft, and the 8th Flying Group’Breus” which with KC-767A aircraft carries out in-flight refuelling missions, strategic transport and bio-containment transport.
