The aircraft completed the “Frozen Skies” operation, ensuring air space surveillance and training. The KC 767A and C-130J aircraft, respectively based at the 14th Squadron at Pratica di Mare and the 46th Air Brigade in Pisa, provided the necessary support to the Eurofighters during the return to Italy, ensuring the in-flight refueling and the transport of personnel and equipment. The mission will officially end on July 10 with the return to Italy of a final contingent of personnel tasked with completing the return operations.
The Italian operational unit, called Task Force Air (TFA) Ice, operated from Keflavik Airport (ISL) under the aegis of the Joint Inter-Service Operations Command (C.O.I.). The mission of monitoring the Icelandic airspace, carried out on a rotating basis among the various NATO partners, was established following the withdrawal of the US aircraft assets permanently stationed in Iceland, given that the same Iceland does not possess an armed force. This operation represents a clear example of the rational management and sharing of available resources among the various NATO partners. The security of the skies has a cost that is now being sought to be contained by utilizing also shared European/NATO solutions.
The daily operational and training activities were carried out in complete safety, thanks also to the synergy created with the Icelandic Coast Guard, which has supported the Italian forces deployed on its territory by providing both the Surveillance, Reporting and Control Service in the area of responsibility and the Search and Rescue Service. All the required logistical requirements were also met. In this regard, the Director General of the Icelandic Coast Guard, Admiral George Kr. Lárusson, during the various meetings held with the Commander of the TFA Ice, stated that “
The Icelandic Coast Guard and the Air Force have worked successfully, in close collaboration, throughout the entire period of operational deployment; a success for both nations and for NATO. A positive and well-trained group has worked together as a single entity to achieve the best possible outcome and to successfully complete the assigned mission.“.
The guest of the Commander of the TFA Ice was the Italian Honorary Consul in Iceland, Mr. Petur Biörnsson, who recalled the historic feat of the Second Atlantic Crossing in 1933, when Italian aircraft in formation reached Iceland: “
It was an event of great importance for the Icelandic population. It demonstrated for the first time that the air route could be opened to large movements of people, as we can still see today, a new connection of the country to the world in a quick and efficient way. For the people, the feeling of isolation was no longer the same. The Trasvolata Atlantica announced the modern world to the Icelanders. An event that we still remember very well. Seeing Italian aircraft fly in the Icelandic skies again after 80 years evokes emotion in me.”.
The Commander of the TFA Ice, Colonel Urbano Floreani, at the end of the activities, proudly represented to all the personnel deployed his deep satisfaction for the success of the operation, declaring: “
It was a operation in which everything worked perfectly. Thanks to the commitment of all the staff of the Air Ice Task Force, we obtained NATO validation 24 hours ahead of schedule. The Eurofighter aircrafts operated effectively and safely in the Icelandic skies thanks also to the cooperation established with the Coast Guard. I consider it a real privilege to have had the opportunity to be your Commander. I will carry a special memory of the days spent together in Iceland in my heart; we worked as a motivated and results-oriented team in a climate of harmony and collaboration”.
The operation ”Snowy Skies” involved Eurofighter units and their respective navigators and specialists from the 4th Squadron in Grosseto, the 36th Squadron in Gioia del Colle and the 37th Squadron in Trapani, navigators from the Air Traffic Control of the Aviano Air Base, controllers from the Air Defense Command of the Air Operations Command, the Riporto and Control Group of Air Defense, the 21st Radar Group in Poggio Ballone (Grosseto) and the 22nd Radar Group in Licola (Naples), support personnel from the Combat Forces Command in Milan and the 1st Reception and Dispatch Group, personnel from the CIS coming from the 4th RTM and the GISCC Department, administrative personnel from the Air Force Command, the 15th Squadron and the Service of Commissariat and Administration of Milan, medical personnel from the Storiographic and Sports Center and the Institute of Aerospace Medicine of Milan, the Air Rangers of the 9th Squadron in Grazzanise and the 16th Squadron in Martina Franca. The Mezzogiorno newspaper of 12/07/2013
La Nazione of 12/07/2013
TGCOM24 of 09/07/2013 at 17:19
Tg1 of 02/07/2013 at 13:52
Il Sole 24 Ore Website “Visir.is” Website “www.ruv.is
The Italian Eurofighters have returned after having operated in Iceland since June 7th 2013. They were tasked to ensure the surveillance and security of the Icelandic airspace and to carry out training activities. On the return flight they were supported by KC-767A tanker aircraft of the 14th Wing in Pratica di Mare (Rome) and C-130J of the 46th Air Brigade in Pisa, which ensured the necessary support to the Eurofighters for the in-flight refueling and the transport of personnel and equipment.
The operational Italian Unit, named Task Force Air (TFA) Ice, operated from Keflavik Airport (ISL) under the aegis of the Joint Operational Command (IOC). The operation is intended to provide a NATO air defense capability after the withdrawal of permanently stationed US aircraft and ground-based radar facilities. The country does not operate autonomous airspace surveillance assets that are provided by other NATO member nations. This mission is a good example of how NATO is organizing and sharing its resources among its members. The safety of the airspace has a cost that they are trying to reduce using shared European/NATO resources.
Daily operational and training activity requirements have been satisfied in complete safety, thanks to the synergic support offered by the Icelandic Coast Guard. It sustained the Italian forces deployed, providing both Radar Surveillance and Report Service within the area of responsibility, and Search and Rescue Service; they also complied with all logistical supplies.
“The ”Cieli Ghiacciati“ (Ice Skies) operation was carried out by the following units and personnel: Eurofighter pilots and maintenance personnel from the 4th Wing in Grosseto, the 36th Wing in Gioia del Colle and the 37th Wing in Trapani; pilots from the Aviano Airport Command; a team of Air Defense Controllers from the Air Operation Command (COA); the 21st Air Defense Radar Squadron in Poggio Ballone (Grosseto); the 22nd Air Defense Radar Squadron in Licola (Naples); support staff from the Combat Forces Command in Milan and the 1st Logistic Movements Squadron; CIS staff from the 4th RTM (Technical Maintenance Department) in Borgo Piave (Latina) and the GISCC Department in Pratica di Mare (Rome); administrative staff from the Air Force Command; the 15th Wing and the Service Commissioner and Directors in Milan; medical staff from the Centre and the Institute of Sports Medicine and Aerospace Historiographic in Milan; personnel from the 9th Wing in Grazzanise and the 16th Wing ”Force Protection” in Martina Franca. The mission ended on July 10th with the return of a final team of staff to complete the re-entry.
