http://www.airforcesmonthly.com #359 FEBRUARY 2018 // 33
Aiming for
interoperability
The main objective of JS17 was
to improve interoperability and
co-ordination of procedures
across the various components
of the Italian armed forces. The
army, navy and air force jointly
deployed more than 3,600
soldiers and airmen, sharing
resources and refining their
capabilities within simulated
missions. These were designed
to replicate both international
crises and national emergencies.
Civilian evacuations were
planned and carried out in
areas of military operations.
Meanwhile, military tasks
included landing an amphibious
force into contested territory.
In terms of troops, the heart of
the expeditionary component was
provided by the Esercito Italiano’s
(Italian Army’s) Reggimento
Lagunari (Amphibious Regiment)
‘Serenissima’ and the Marina
Militare’s (Italian Navy’s) 1º
Reggimento ‘San Marco’. They
pooled their capabilities to provide
all combat, combat support and
combat service support functions.
Meanwhile, the Aeronautica Militare
delivered effects from the air,
including close air support (CAS),
suppression of enemy air defences
(SEAD), combat search and
rescue (CSAR), tactical transport
of personnel and evacuation of
injured civilians. For the first
time, the air force utilised its new
F-35As in an exercise scenario.
The Aeronautica Militare deployed
examples of almost its entire
inventory during JS2017. Trapani
air base in Sicily hosted the
main Blue Air deployment, which
included Tornado IDS/ECRs (6º
Stormo), Eurofighters (4º, 36º and
37º Stormo), AMXs (51º Stormo)
and G550 Conformal Airborne
Early Warning aircraft (14º Stormo).
Meanwhile, Decimomannu air base
in Sardinia hosted the helicopter
units, comprising HH-101As
and HH-139As (15º Stormo) and
HH-212As (9º Stormo). Operating
on behalf of the Blue Forces from
Amendola air base on the mainland
were MQ-9 Predator Bs and
F-35As (both 32º Stormo). Support
for the Blue Air was the duty of
the KC-767A tankers from Pratica
di Mare near Rome, and KC-130J
and C-27J transports from Pisa.
The two main Red Air bases
were Decimomannu, which
hosted T-346As (61º Stormo)
and Grosseto, with more
Eurofighters (4º Stormo). Also
at Deci were Hellenic Air Force
F-4Es that flew with both Blue
and Red components.
The Esercito Italiano was
heavily committed too. As well
as the Reggimento Lagunari
‘Serenissima’, its units comprised
the Comando Artiglieria
Controaerei (Anti-Aircraft Artillery
Command) with its 17° Reggimento
Artiglieria Controaerei ‘Sforzesca’,
the Brigata di Cavalleria (Cavalry
Brigade) ‘Pozzuolo del Friuli’,
the Reggimento ‘Genova
Cavalleria’, the 3º Reggimento
Genio Guastatori (3rd Engineers
Regiment) and the 5° Reggimento
Aviazione dell’Esercito (5th
Army Aviation Regiment) ‘Rigel’.
CH-47Fs and Mangustas from the
latter unit also operated from the
decks of navy amphibious vessels.
Among the deployed Marina
Militare warships were the aircraft
carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi (C551)
and the amphibious transport
docks (LPD) San Marco (L9893)
and San Giorgio (L9892). These
ships hosted EH-101As from
the 1° Gruppo Elicotteri (1st
Helicopter Group) and SH/
MH-90As from the 5° Gruppo
Elicotteri. The navy battle group
also included the Horizon-class
destroyer Caio Duilio (D554), the
FREMM frigate Alpino (F594),
the coastal minehunters Milazzo
Star wars
Air force, army and navy
assets from across Italy
were engaged in Joint
Stars, the country’s
largest national joint
exercise of 2 0 17.
Giovanni Colla and
Remo Guidi investigate.
A pair of 6º Stormo Tornado ECRs from Ghedi off the wing of the tanker during a JS17 mission. Nearest the camera is
HARM-carrying EA-200B MM7070 ‘6-71’.
Little bandit! Providing part of the
Red Air contingent at Decimomannu
were the T-346As of 61º Stormo.
This is MM55217 ‘61-13’ in what is
fast becoming a familiar aggressor
role for the type. Mirco Bonato
