ITALIAN ARMY AVIATION COMPLETES ITS MOST ADVANCED TRAINING EVER

Italian Army comples its most advanced training ever.

26 October 2018 - The Italian Army Aviation completed today the exercise CAEX II 2018 (Complex Aviation EXercise) after two weeks of hard training. The goal of the CAEX II was to train and validate two task forces for operational use, verifying the integration skills and capabilities of all the units involved.

After the initial planning phase in Viterbo, central Italy, the CAEX II 2018 continued in Sardinia with three tactical actions focused on three different objectives that involved all the air assets and some land units.

On October 21, in the late afternoon, a platoon of paratroopers launched into the operational area to conduct an exploration mission along with a Raven drone. Thanks to the data acquired, the "Angelo" Task Force was able to plan its mission in the best way. On October 22, the action started in the morning with an aeromechanical operation against the first target: three AH-129 helicopters launched Spike missiles, supported by a platoon of mortars.

Subsequently, a CH47-F Chinook launched paratroopers who attacked the second target, supported by two AH-129 helicopters. During this operation, an AH-129 simulated an emergency landing to also include a personnel recovery activity conducted by a MedEvac team together with IEED and K9 units for minefield reclamation.

In addition, an aircraft infantry platoon, aboard four UH-90 helicopters, carried out an air raid against the third target. The Direction of the exercise unexpectedly revealed the presence of enemy forces that required the intervention of the Quick Reaction Force (QRF). The QRF was composed of paratroopers and a CH47 helicopter always ready to operate. At the same time, a Dornier 228 aircraft provided for the supply of ammunition to allow the Task Force to maintain its combat capability.

This training, headed by the commander of the Army Aviation, Brigadier General Paolo Riccò, was characterized by the synergistic integration of the capacities of the flight and ground units. Riccò was very satisfied with the great operational realism achieved during the exercise.

The activity involved 530 soldiers, 20 helicopters and 2 aircraft and various weapon systems, and was included in the first training phase for the introduction into the operational theater of the new tactical and operational units of the armed force.