It concluded on Friday 27 February, at the 37th Wing of Trapani, the annual national exercise Typhoon Flag, which saw Eurofighter aircraft crews train in complex flight missions alongside aircraft from other Air Force branches.
The training activity represents the Eurofighter line's main exercise for the Air Force and was established to pool assets and personnel to promote the process of operational and maintenance standardisation among the Units employing the Eurofighter aircraft. The event specifically involved pilots, technicians, and Eurofighter aircraft originating from 4th Wing of Grosseto, 36th Wing of Gioia del Colle, 37th Wing of Trapani and the 51st Wing of Istrana, Units contributing to the defence of Italian and NATO airspace. During the exercise, diversified flight missions were planned and conducted, aimed at achieving multiple training objectives.
As highlighted by the Colonel Daniele Mastroberti, Commander of the 37th Wing, «The Typhoon Flag, confirms itself as a fundamental training moment for the “Eurofighter Community”, as through the sharing of knowledge and experience, the preparation level of the F-2000 line is increased and the operational readiness, projectability, and deterrence capabilities of the Armed Force are consolidated.»
During the exercise, F-35s of and of the 6th Wing in Ghedi and the 32nd Wing in Amendola, to promote integration between 4th and 5th generation aircraft. The aircraft belonging to the 14th Wing of Pratica di Mare also played an active part in Typhoon Flag: a G-550 CAEW with air surveillance and command, control and communications functions, and a KC-767 for in-flight refuelling missions.
Thanks to the technical and operational support and the availability of training areas provided by Salto di Quirra Interforce Polygon (PISQ), it was possible to train pilots on the threats posed by Cruise Missile (CM), Unmanned Aircraft System Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Electronic WarfareElectronic Warfarein the most realistic environment possible and adapted to contemporary scenarios. The exercise also saw the participation of 46th Air Brigade of Pisa with a C-27 and a C-130, of the 41st Wing of Sigonella with a P-72, of the 61st Wing of Galatina with two T-346s, of the 15th Air Wing of Cervia with an HH-139 and the Trapani Forward Operating Base, which has the capability to redeploy the AWACS;
The following took part in the exercise: Operational Electronic Warfare Technical Support Department (RESTOGE) of Pratica di Mare who carried out electromagnetic spectrum analysis and the 22nd Integrated Air and Missile Defence Group (DAMI) of Licola as the Control Unit through its operations room.
