An exercise to perfect operational and personnel recovery techniques in conflict zones
In the weeks from February 6th to 17th, in a large operational area between southern Basilicata and northern Calabria, the’exercise of Personnel Recovery called“PR WEEK 23-01”.
The aim of the activity was to refine operational and cooperative techniques for the Staff recovery isolated in conflict areas, both domestically and internationally, peculiar and excellent capability of the Air Force. The training exercise, which spanned several days of air and ground operations in pre-identified areas, helped to strengthen the coordination between airborne and ground forces.
The personnel and flight assets involved were deployed from the Gioia del Colle (BA) airbase, home to 36th Fighter Wing of the Italian Air Force. In more detail, the exercise saw the participation of Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft from the 36th Fighter Wing of Gioia del Colle (BA), a MQ9-A “Predator B” remotely piloted aircraft” del 32nd Wing of Amendola (FG), a setup CAEW del 14th Stormo (Air Wing) of Pratica di Mare (Rome province), as well as HH-101 helicopters del 9th Wing, Grazzanise (CE). Ground support was provided by STOS (Special Operations Tactical Support) operators from 17th Raiders Wing of Furbara (RM), integrated by units of the Force Protection Group of the 36th Fighter Wing and by the military of the’Extraction Force with JTAC capability San Marco Marine Brigade.
Among the various operations carried out under the coordination of Aerospace Operations Command in Poggio Renatico (FE) – commanded and controlled the “PR Task Force” from the National Operations Room via the Personnel Recovery Coordination Cell (PRCC) dedicated – significant have been the recovery missions of a military pilot who simulated being isolated on the ground in a non-permissive environment with a threat from the ground. At the same time, the avionics equipment used, such as Link-16, Vortex and Satcom, made it possible to verify the high degree of technological interoperability of the Armed Force. The event achieved all the set training objectives and proved to be a valuable opportunity to strengthen the procedures of these specific types of missions that are of absolute strategic relevance to the Armed Forces and Defence.
The 36th Fighter Wing of Gioia del Colle (BA) is under the command of Combat Forces Command (CFC) in Milan, whose assigned mission is to acquire and maintain the operational readiness of all bodies of the Air defence and of attack and of reconnaissance, ensuring the operational efficiency of weapon systems, means and materials, as well as’Staff training and to the constant updating and optimisation of operational procedures, in compliance with the guidelines of the H.H. The CFC is reporting to Air Squad Command which exercises the powers concerning the training, preparation and operational readiness of its Squadrons, so that they acquire and maintain the foreseen levels of operational readiness. The 36th Fighter Wing is one of the 5 Air Force Wings that ensure national air defence and the Quick Reaction Alert service of NATO.
