NATO, Poggio Renatico: the Virtual Flag 2023 exercise concluded

It concluded on Thursday 23 November, at the Air and Space Operations Command (COA) from Poggio Renatico (FE), the Battle Staff Training of Virtual Flag 2023 (VF BST23), the training activity aimed at acquiring the skills necessary to populate the Crisis Establishment of the ITA JFAC HQ (Italian Joint Force Air Component Headquarters), in anticipation of the upcoming national and NATO certifications.
The exercise is part of a series of events that will allow the COA staff to train to fill key positions within the JFAC HQ, the staff body that ensures the processes necessary to support the decisions, tasks, and responsibilities of the Commander (COM JFAC). At the same time, the processes and products necessary to exercise the Command and Control of the Air Component (AIR C2) in case of crisis.

The activity just concluded took place in two phases. In the first phase (Strategy Division) they have been developed strategic processes of the conduct of the operations; the second phase, however, was dedicated to the processes related to planning and the execution of an aerial campaign in a joint context (Multi Service).

It JFAC It is the Air Component Command of the national, Alliance or coalition inter-service task force, which is called upon to manage a crisis using the military instrument when necessary.
In peacetime, the permanent structure is called the “Core JFAC Directorate” and operates as the JFAC staff nucleus for the conduct of exercises and the management of national and/or multinational operations, in compliance with the directives requested by the Higher Authorities and the NATO.

The Core JFAC Directorate is part of the Operations Department (RO), an organizational unit that, as the operational staff of the COA Commander in his function as the Air Component Commander, ensures the effective use of Aerospace Power, By integrating logistical, financial and telecommunications skills into operational planning, including cybernetic ones.