The Italian Air Force participated with its assets in one of the most important international air shows.
From 15 to 17 July, at Fairford (United Kingdom), there was the Royal International Air Tattoo, one of the world's largest airshows. The Air Force participated in the event with a series of aircraft and crews capable of allowing the public present to appreciate many of the Armed Force's operational capabilities.
During the event, the were highlighted technological excellence and the technical and professional readiness of the Armed Forces which, thanks to a strong synergy between the defence world and industry, is capable of supporting fundamental programmes for common security such as the programme Eurofighter, the backbone, along with the 5th generation F-35 fighter, of the Air Force's aerotactical lines, of aerospace power and of the national and NATO air defence system.
At the international event in Fairford, the Italian delegation was one of the largest in terms of aircraft and displays.
In particular, the Experimental Flight Department It distinguished itself as the only team to present a display with 3 different configurations: the C-27J transport aircraft; the T-346A advanced trainer and the high-performance fighter Eurofighter.
Exactly the aircraft's crew C-27J, thanks to manoeuvres uncommon for this type of aircraft, after astonishing the public with a technical demonstration that highlighted the aircraft's flight qualities, won the award “The Sir Douglas Bader Trophy”as best solo performance. The Experimental Flight Department is no stranger to this type of recognition: back in 2013, again thanks to the C-27J aircraft display, it had indeed received another prestigious award for best presentation.
The performance of the indispensable Frecce Tricolori, who with their acrobatics held thousands of people spellbound, helping to highlight the Made in Italy and to Italian excellence worldwide.
Furthermore, to underline the role of Italy and the Air Force in the international context, two important meetings were held, with the Kuwait Air Force and with the Japan Air Self-Defence Force. The first was a further tangible sign of the Eurofighter programme's continuous progress, of the cooperation between Italy and Kuwait, as well as in the support that the Italian Air Force has provided, and continues to provide, for the training phase of new Kuwaiti pilots. The second, however, demonstrates collaboration in training and instruction, as well as the sharing of experiences, procedures, and Best practice also thanks to the meeting between the Italian delegation of the Experimental Flight Department of DASAS and that of the 2nd Tactical Airlift Group of the Japan Air Self-Defence Force.
Also present at the event was Chief of Staff of the Air Force, General of the Air Force Luca Goretti, who, in addition to addressing topics such as strengthening international cooperation activities and the development of new aeronautical programmes in such a privileged context, was able to witness both the technological excellence that the Italian Air Force boasts and a further tangible demonstration of the professionalism and competence of all its personnel, who are daily committed to defending the values and colours of the Italian flag.
The Italian Air Force has contributed to the success of’Air Tattoo, also with AMX aircraft of the 51st Wing and MB-339CD and T-346A trainers of the 61st Wing, visible to the public in static display.
