As part of the bilateral Cooperation Plan with Albania for the year 2025 and among the activities of primary interest to the Armed Force, it took place, from 1st to 3rd December, at the 36th Fighter Wing of Gioia del Colle (BA), an introductory visit promoted by Cabinet of the Minister of Defence Go on then Defence Staff. For the occasion, the Gioia Tauro unit hosted a delegation composed of representatives from the Italian Air Force General Staff – 3rd and 4th Departments, the Italian Air Force Logistics Command, the Air Fleet Command – 1st Air Region, as well as officers of the “Forca Ajrore”, the Albanian air force operating under the command of the’Albanian Joint Forces Command of NATO and operating from two main air bases, respectively in Kuçova and Tirana.
Welcomed by the Wing Commander, Colonel Pilot Antonino Massara, the visiting delegation attended illustrative briefings on the unit's activities, an opportunity that was conducive to sharing topics of training interest, strengthening cooperation between the two nations to improve the training of flight and specialist personnel at the Armed Force's designated facilities, as well as defining joint planning of future activities that will involve the two Air Forces starting as early as the first quarter of 2026. In detail, this latter aspect will be relevant in the short and long term for the stand-up capacity of the Albanian air base located in Kuçovë, an airport that could assume strategic importance within the ACE (Agile Combat Employment) concept, pursued within the NATO framework as an operational manoeuvre scheme aimed at increasing the resilience and survival of aerospace power.
In the circumstances, the Group Captain Antonino Massara shared his thoughts with the audience: “Today’s meeting represents an opportunity for constructive dialogue, enabling each of us to share expertise, know-how and innovative solutions to integrate operational processes within a multinational context.” Please let me know the rest of the sentence. Colonel Fabio Zanichelli, Head of Delegation MA: “This meeting confirms the long-standing cooperation between our Air Forces. A cooperation that goes back a long way between two countries separated by a strip of sea, but united by feelings of mutual friendship and brotherhood. In this context, the capacity build-up of the Kuçova Air Base represents an exciting challenge and a great opportunity for growth for both.” To support the arguments addressed, the words of Colonel Pilot Salvatore Lanni: “Support is, and must be, mutual, because everyone has something to teach others”.
The visit then continued to the logistic and operational areas located within the airport grounds. On this occasion, it was possible to see more closely the role that the Wing diligently performs every day to ensure, seamlessly and together with other units of the “F2000 and F-35 Community”, national and NATO Air Defence as a primary task of the Italian Air Force. The visit concluded at the 84th SAR Centre, where the Albanian delegation was able to appreciate the capabilities of the HH139 in its primary search and rescue role.
Finally, during the ritual gift exchange, the Colonel Luan Sadiku, Deputy Commander of the Air Force, thus highlighted his personal appreciation: “It has been a privilege for us to exchange views and share our vision with a view to improving future cooperation with the Italian Air Force. The 36th Fighter Wing is a unit where there is a constant sense of pride and professionalism inherent in a team of men and women who, united and cohesive, tackle the constant challenges of aviation. I am confident that our collaboration will prove fruitful for our operational commitments in the near future.”.
It 36th Fighter Wing, Gioia del Colle (Bari) it is under the command of the Combat Forces Command (CFC) of 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, equipment and materials, as well as the training of personnel and the constant updating and optimisation of operational procedures, in compliance with the guidelines of the Higher Authorities. The CFC reports to the Air Squad Command – 1st Air Region, which exercises responsibilities regarding the training, preparation and operational readiness of its units so that they acquire and maintain the required levels of operational readiness. The 36th Fighter Wing is one of the 5 Italian Air Force wings that ensure national air defence and the NATO Quick Reaction Alert service.
