A delegation from the Nigerian Defence Headquarters visiting as part of the 2nd Bilateral Staff Talks between Italy and Nigeria
Thursday 10 November 2022, a delegation from the Nigerian Defence Staff visited’Pratica di Mare Airport, the Aeronautical Geotopographic Information Centre (C.I.G.A.), the 14th Wing, the Crew Training Centre – Multi Crew and the Air Division for Aeronautical and Space Experimentation (D.A.S.A.S.) as part of 2nd Bilateral Staff Talks between Italy and Nigeria. The Delegation was welcomed by the Commander 9th ISTAR-EW Air Brigade Gen. B.A. Danilo Morando.
Brigadier General Morando, in welcoming guests to the 9th Air Brigade, briefly outlined how the Unit provides the Armed Force's ISTAR capabilities through the direction of its three subordinate bodies, which includes the CIGA.
An explanatory briefing was also presented on mission and the Vision of the Centre, giving an overview of the multiple activities involving the various technical areas, highlighting the growing commitments arising from the information needs of current operational scenarios which demand the availability of geospatial capabilities (cartography, imagery, databases, aeronautical information, air navigation services, etc.), which are increasingly timely, relevant, accurate and certified. The activities of the Operational Imagery Analysis Group (GrAIO), which operates in the ISR sector (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) with the task of optimising the analysis and processing workflows for image data coming from the Armed Forces' reconnaissance and surveillance sensors. The delegation then visited the cartographic laboratories of the Geotopographic Processing Service, where the production processes for creating the map series produced by the Centre were demonstrated, intended both for civilian use and to support the planning and conduct of operations by the Italian Air Force and Defence.
The visit then continued at the 14th Wing, where the delegation was welcomed by the Commander, Colonel Luca Mazzini, who outlined the organisation and the various operational capabilities of the Wing, which, with its broad spectrum of employment, supports numerous activities of the Italian Air Force and the Defence sector. The aircraft was also presented CAEW (Conformal Airborne Early Warning), a multi-sensor aircraft with airborne surveillance, command, control and communication functions, instrumental to air supremacy and support for ground forces. Afterwards, the delegation was able to appreciate the KC-767A aircraft on the flight line, which are used to conduct in-flight refuelling, strategic transport and bio-containment transport missions.
Next, it was the turn of Col. Alessandro Iaia, Commander of the CAE Multi Crew, to illustrate the organisation of the Italian Air Force Flight School, which trains military pilots, both Italian and foreign, destined for transport aircraft. The Nigerian delegation showed particular interest in the type of flight training provided by the unit using the P.180 Avanti aircraft, in accordance with European training standards established by a programme called European Undergraduate Military Transport Pilot Training (EUMTPT) recently concluded, through which the Centre assumed the title of European Defence Airlift School (EDAS Italy).
The visit then continued at the Air Experimentation Department of Aeronautics and Space (DASAS), where the delegation was welcomed upon arrival by the Commander, Major General Alessandro De Lorenzo.
Following the Commander's welcome and a brief presentation on the main activities carried out by DASAS and its six subordinate units, the delegation moved to the flight line of the Flight Test Department, one of the subordinate units, for the final part of the visit to Pratica di Mare airport. Here, the personnel present, led by the Department Commander, Colonel Fabio De Michele, illustrated the main activities carried out and the technical characteristics of the aircraft present. The Nigerian delegation showed keen interest and appreciation, and expressed great satisfaction with the day spent at the Roman airport.
