LAMPEDUSA: AIR BRIDGE CONCLUDED BY ITALIAN AIR FORCE.

The Italian Air Force has concluded the transport of migrants from Lampedusa to reception centres in Palermo and Sigonella. The Italian Air Force, at the request of the Ministry of the Interior, established an air bridge commencing on Tuesday 20th September, making available C-130J aircraft from the 46th Air Brigade of Pisa. The operations were necessary due to the fire that broke out at the island’s Reception and First Aid Centre, following which approximately 1,300 migrants flooded into the town, causing tensions among the local population and the subsequent intervention of law enforcement.
The activities, carried out at Lampedusa Civil Airport and supported by the personnel of the Aeronautical Detachment, enabled the transport of approximately 500 migrants on over 30 flights. The 46th Air Brigade, stationed at Pisa San Giusto Airport, has under its command the 2nd, 50th, and 98th Groups (united in the Flight Department), the Crew Training Centre (CAE), the 446th STO Department, the 546th SLO Department, and the Defence Group. The aircraft used are the C-130J, in service with the 2nd and 50th Groups, and the G.222 (98th Group), used for tactical and strategic transport, air dropping of personnel and materials for the Armed Forces, including in operational theatres such as Afghanistan, for humanitarian missions, as well as guaranteeing support for NATO's ‘Unified Protector’ air operations in Libya. The National Training Centre (NTC) for the C-130J, one of the largest and most modern military aircraft training centres in Europe, has also recently been established at the base. Video news produced by the Air Force Staff – 5th Department