From 29th to 31st January, the 51st Wing of Istrana, as part of the activities planned for the occasion of the 56° JSF Finance and Contracts Committee (FCC), hosted the works of the delegation belonging to the F35 programme“Lightning II Joint Programme Office”.
Guided by Mrs Tracy Deans and composed of military and civilian representatives from the programme's Partner Countries, the delegation was received by the Commander of the 51st Fighter Wing, Colonel Emanuele Chiadroni, who, in his welcoming speech, stressed the responsibility and importance of hosting the Committee's activities within the Wing's facilities, not failing to describe the role and mission of the 51st Wing in the context of National Air Defence e NATO.
It Federal Communications Commission it is the F-35 Program Financial Forum, which meets four times a year and whose tasks include advising the JSF Executive Steering Board (JESB) regarding contractual and financial issues, creating recommendations on activities that impact Programme costs. The JESB is the highest expression of Governance of the Programme, in which participate the Principals of Partner Countries and US Services of the F-35 JSF Program (USAF, USN, USMC, UK, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Italy, Netherlands, Norway). The Program headquarters is in Arlington (Virginia), United States of America, where the JPO is located (Joint Programme Office) within which Italy participates with personnel from the Air Force and the Navy.
As per the meeting schedule, once a year the meeting is held outside US territory, and for 2024, the chosen host country has been Italy, and in particular, the venue selected by the IV Department of SGD, to which the JSF Programme Directorate reports (Joint Strike Fighter, was that of the 51st Wing of Istrana.
During their stay at Istrana Airport, the delegation had the chance to get a closer look at the activities carried out by the men and women of the Wing and the bodies that form the Unit's organisation, including the 132nd Flight Group “E. Buscaglia” which, using EF 2000 aircraft, provides the service of National Airspace Surveillance and NATO.
At the conclusion of the three days, the Head of Delegation, Mrs Tracy Deans, thanked the Wing's personnel for the hospitality and support received, as well as for the organisation put in place for the complete success of the 56th. JSF Finance and Contracts Committee (FCC), spending words of sincere appreciation towards our country.
It 51st Fighter Wing, Istrana is employed by Combat Forces Command (CFC) in Milan, whose assigned mission is to acquire and maintain the operational readiness of all air defence, attack and reconnaissance units, ensuring the operational efficiency of weapon systems, means and materials, as well as personnel training and the constant updating and optimisation of operational procedures, in compliance with the guidelines of the Higher Commands. The CFC reports to the Air Squad Command exercises the powers related to the training, preparedness and operational readiness of its Squadrons, so that they acquire and maintain the expected levels of operational readiness. The 51st Wing, equipped with AMX, AMX-T and F2000 aircraft, in addition to supporting surface forces and carrying out attack and reconnaissance operations, is one of the 6 Squadrons of the Air Force that ensure national air defence and service of Quick Reaction Alert of NATO.
