The Special Forces Compartment exercise took place at the military airport of Grazzanise (CE).
The exercise concluded on Friday 10 November. Special Air Force Units held at the Grazzanise (CE) air base, home of the 9th Wing “F. Baracca”.
A complex scenario where training and operational experiences have been aimed at developing and maximising the capability to conduct Special Air Operations on behalf of the participating Departments.
During the exercise, a series of joint activities were carried out, predominantly at night and in realistic scenarios, between crews from 21st Flight Group of the 9th Wing ed operatori del 17th Raiders Wing of Furbara, with the aim of integrating the two Departments and increasing their operational capabilities.
The SOF Week 2023 (SW23) it was a very important opportunity to enhance the capabilities of the crews involved in conducting operations in both day and night environments, to develop and consolidate the planning process, to refine the techniques, tactics, and procedures (TTPs) of the HH101 asset in the special forces domain, and to carry out activities for direct action / hostage rescue operations using techniques of Helicopter assault, Helicopter sniping, Fast roping, Vehicle interdiction.
The SW23 also made it possible to verify the effectiveness of the training programme carried out at the two Departments and to test all the complex intercomunication systems between the participating assets.
to take part in this 23rd edition of SW will also be 14th Practice Wing of Pratica di Mare with a G-550 CAEW capable of Command and Control (C2); the 2nd Wing, Rivolto (Udine), with the SIRIUS GBAD (Ground Based Air Defence) system, the Electronic Warfare Operational Technical Support Department (Re.S.T.O.G.E.), and the 22nd DAMI Group of Licola for support of integrated air and missile defence activity.
It 9th Wing, with its HH-101 and HH-212 flight configurations, carries out support operations for Special Operations and for the search and recovery of personnel isolated in hostile territory (so-called operations Personnel Recovery), providing air support to special forces and intervening with emergency medical evacuation activities in the event of any injuries. As military personnel in the service of the State, the 9th Wing's task is precisely to contribute to the country's security, the defence of vital national interests, protect human lives and be increasingly useful to the country. The Unit also contributes to the security arrangements for military deployments abroad, peacekeeping operations and humanitarian relief, as well as the implementation of protection measures at a national level during major events or for the maintenance of public order.
It 17th Attack Wing Its task is to select, train, develop, and prepare the Italian Air Force's Special Forces (F.S.) for operational deployment. It is also responsible for ensuring the constant readiness of operational detachments that can be rapidly deployed for Special Operations (O.S.).
It 21st Flight Group of the 9th Wing at Grazzanise, with its HH-101A helicopters and the Raiders of the 17th Wing of Furbara, are the Units operating in synergy under the aegis of the 1st Special Operations Air Brigade (B.A.O.S.).
The 1st BAOS, in fact, ensures the specialisation and training of Special Forces (Divers), Special Operations Air Support Forces (S.A.O.S.) and for activities of Personnel Recovery, ensuring the constant updating of procedures, the standardisation and integration of training activities, as well as the efficiency of weapon systems and necessary means, expressing the capabilities required to prepare a structure for Special Operations Air Task Group highly specialised, versatile and with high levels of operational readiness for exercises and operations at both Armed Forces level and in joint and international contexts.
Over the past few years, the Italian Air Force's Special Forces Command has consolidated its role as a benchmark in the chain of command and control within the Special Operations sector, as well as being the sole and authoritative point of contact for the Armed Force with the Defence Special Operations Command.
