Among the 5 Eurofighter aircraft of the 36th Stormo of Gioia del Colle, which took part in the exercise, there was also a special color version.
The air exercise ended on Friday, May 20, 2022, in Araxos, Greece. NATO Tiger Meet 2022 Organized this year by the Greek Air Force and attended by Flight Departments from different NATO member countries belonging to the Tiger Association (NTA).
A highly significant exercise that, as per tradition, saw the meeting of different structures, traditions and cultures capable of developing and strengthening a spirit of unity, cooperation and operational experiences, in line with the primary objectives of the Atlantic Alliance.
In the weeks from May 9 to 20, 2022, pilots from numerous NATO air units trained to improve interoperability between participating assets, conducting composite air operations (COMAO). An international scenario where it was possible to combine training and operational experiences to maximize integration between the Flight Departments.
In detail, the XII Flight Group of the 36th Fighter Wing, The protagonist of last year’s edition with the victory of the prestigious “Silver Tiger Trophy”, a recognition that is awarded to the Volo Group that stands out the most during the event, participated with five Eurofighter 2000 Typhoon aircraft, including a “Special Color” version. The commemorative “tiger” livery recalls the 351st “White Tigers” Squadron, one of the four operational units of the XII Flight Group.
It 36th Fighter Wing, The Air Force Air Defense Squadron, which depends on the Air Force Command for Combat Forces, is one of the Air Force’s air defense squadrons that ensures the surveillance of the national airspace 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, with an integrated defense system, even in peacetime, along with those of the other countries belonging to NATO. There are 5 Air Force squadrons that ensure the national air defense and NATO Quick Reaction Alert service: four equipped with Eurofighter aircraft (the 4th Grosseto Squadron, the 36th Gioia del Colle Squadron, the 37th Trapani Squadron and the 51st Istrana Squadron) and one with aircraft F-35A (32nd Squadron of Amendola).
The Air Defense system also includes two operational units: the 11th DAMI Group in Poggio Renatico (FE) and the 22nd DAMI Group in Licola (NA), both of which are subordinate to the Integrated Missile Defense Air Defense Group (DAMI) of the Airspace Control Brigade of the Air Operations Command (COA).
From the two operational rooms, through radar signals arriving from a network of sensors deployed throughout the national territory (Squadriglie Radar Remote), the controllers responsible for surveillance and guided-attack operations operate every day of the year, day and night, to ensure the defense of the Italian airspace and guide the assets of the Air Defense, providing the necessary information to intercept potential aerial threats.
