General Giancotti returns to Puglia visiting the 36th Fighter Wing and the 84th SAR Centre On 14 and 15 December, the Commander of the Air Squad, Air Chief Marshal Fernando Giancotti, visited the 36th Fighter Wing and the 84th SAR Centre at the ’A. Ramirez“ Military Airport in Gioia del Colle.
Gen. Giancotti took part in a training flight mission focused on reacting to small, slow, asymmetrical air threats. The crews of the XII Group, with Eurofighter “Typhoon” aircraft, and the 84th SAR Centre of the 15th Wing, with two HH139A helicopters, also participated in this activity. On this occasion, Gen. Giancotti had the opportunity to directly observe the application of procedures and the level of coordination achieved in the interception and escort phases of a low, slow and small aircraft by the two flight units, which can thus work synergistically for broader airspace surveillance against any possible threat. A CAEW (Conformal Airborne Early Warning) aircraft from the 14th Wing of Pratica di Mare also took part in the mission. At the end of the mission, Gen. Giancotti, expressing his appreciation for the constant work of modernising procedures and fostering capability exchange, stressed how teamwork and pooling the unique characteristics of each individual aviation unit are the only way to face continuous emerging challenges and demonstrate all-around professionalism, beneficial to the country. Gen. Giancotti, recalling his long operational past at the Gioia base, concluded his address by offering all the personnel best wishes for a peaceful Christmas and a happy 2019, a year that will surely prove packed, challenging, but rich with new goals to achieve.
The 36th Fighter Wing, which reports to the Air Squadrons Command through the Combat Forces Command, is one of the Italian Air Force's air defence wings ensuring national airspace surveillance 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, with an integrated defence system, even in peacetime, alongside that of other NATO member countries. The service is guaranteed – for surveillance, identification, and control – by the 11th DAMI Group of Poggio Renatico (FE) and the 22nd Radar Group of Licola (NA); for airborne interception, by the 4th Wing (GR), the 36th Wing (BA), and the 37th Wing (TP), all equipped with Eurofighter fighter aircraft. From January 2017, the Italian Air Force also activated a Eurofighter F-2000 cell at the 51st Wing of Istrana in order to optimise national airspace coverage, with a view to generally reducing response times and promptly countering any threats. Since March 2018, F-35 aircraft of the 32nd Wing of Amendola have also been integrated into the air defence system, contributing with specific operational capabilities and cutting-edge technology to the defence of Italian skies. The 84th SAR Centre is one of the units of the 15th Wing of the Italian Air Force that guarantees 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the search and rescue of flight crews in distress. It also contributes to public utility activities such as searching for missing persons at sea or in the mountains, emergency medical transport of patients in danger of death, and rescuing severely traumatised individuals.
Since its establishment to the present day, the crews of the 15th Wing have rescued approximately 7,300 people whose lives were in danger.
