The 101st Operational Conversion Squadron of the AM-X fleet is leaving the “Capitanata” area to settle in the Treviso area
This significant event forms part of the long and complex transformation process of the 32nd Wing based in Amendola (Foggia), following precise directives from the Armed Force.
The ceremony, presided over by the Commander of the 32nd Wing, Colonel Michele Oballa, accompanied by the Commander of the 51st Wing, Colonel Maurizio D’Andrea, was attended by civil and religious authorities from the province of Foggia. The 101st Group was formed at Lonate Pozzolo (VA) on 5 March 1941 with the JU.87 “Stuka” aircraft. It was placed on reserve on 1 December 1994 following the decommissioning of the G.91Ys, and was subsequently reconstituted on 31 July 1995 at Amendola Air Base with AM-X and AM-XT (two-seaters), taking on the dual role of Operational Conversion Unit (O.C.U.) and ground attack unit. Within this unit, as a flight detachment dedicated to operational conversion, no fewer than 259 military pilots (including the astronauts Luca Parmitano and Samantha Cristoforetti) were qualified thanks to the 32 qualification courses conducted. The following day, Wednesday 23 July, in a simple and understated ceremony, the 51st Wing’s base in Treviso welcomed the 101st Flight Group to its premises. In this context, the operational unit will continue to fulfil the same role historically entrusted to it by the Armed Forces, namely continuing to train newly licensed military pilots assigned to the AM-X fleet. The handover ceremony was formalised with the arrival in Istrana of the 101st’s standard aboard an AM-X aircraft forming part of a formation of five aircraft, piloted by the Commanders of the 32nd and 51st Wings, the newly appointed Group Commander of the 101st GV and pilots due to be assigned to the Unit. The ceremony, presided over by Colonel Maurizio D’Andrea and attended by Colonel Michele OBALLA, was attended by a large delegation of the Unit’s military and civilian personnel. During their speeches, both Commanders highlighted the importance of the tasks entrusted to the 101st OCU Group, which will operate alongside the other two historic Flight Groups at Istrana, the 103rd and the 132nd, which are also equipped with the AM-X aircraft. Indeed, with this redeployment, the 51st Wing now has the entire AM-X fleet at its disposal; these aircraft have played a significant role in the history of the Italian Air Force, having participated prominently in various operational campaigns both domestically and in multinational contexts, the most recent of which was the mission in Afghanistan.
