Italian Air Force, Italian Navy F-35B jest conduct austere training on Pantelleria Island
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| Italian Air Force and Italian Navy F-35B aircraft are preparing to take off from the austere airfield on the island of Pantelleria, Italy, at the end of a Hot-pit refueling operation. |
The integration process between the Italian Air Force and Italian Navy fifth generation fighters has recently made new steps forward with a joint refueling activity in a remote and austere location. F-35B STOVL aircraft belonging to the two armed forces conducted an exercise at the Pantelleria Airport Detachment of the Italian Air Force, on January 27, 2022. Pantelleria is an Italian island located in the south-west of Sicily, in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea.
The activity was attended by the Chief of Staff of the Italian Defense, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, by the Chief of Staff of the Italian Navy, Admiral Enrico Credendino and by the Chief of Staff of the Italian Air Force, Air Squad General Luca Goretti.
The exercise was aimed at increasing expeditionary capacity from an austere air base not suitable for flight operations with conventional take-off aircraft.
Often the air forces have to deploy the aircraft on bases far from the operational theater with a consequent increase in costs (use of tankers) and operational risks due to the long routes to be covered. Through the use of austere bases, usually located near the areas of operation and in greater numbers than traditional ones, the deployment can take place much more quickly and the assets can operate with greater flexibility and shorter intervention times.
The event in Pantelleria was a great example of a Joint Expeditionary Force. Taking advantage of the Short Takeoff and Vertical Landing (STOVL) capability, two F-35Bs landed at the austere base of Pantelleria to be refueled on the ground by an ITAF KC130J tanker aircraft, while keeping their engines running (Hot Pit Refueling). The operation was carried out through the ALARP (Air Landed Aircraft Refueling Point) system which is able to provide simultaneous ground refueling of up to 4 aircraft, taking fuel from the Rapid Ground Refuel of the KC-130J, or through SPRP (Single-Point Refuel Panel). Once the operation was completed, the F-35Bs quickly took off to join two ITAF Eurofighter Typhoons over Calabria, southern Italy, to conduct a Composite Air Operation (COMAO).
Often the air forces have to deploy the aircraft on bases far from the operational theater with a consequent increase in costs (use of tankers) and operational risks due to the long routes to be covered. Through the use of austere bases, usually located near the areas of operation and in greater numbers than traditional ones, the deployment can take place much more quickly and the assets can operate with greater flexibility and shorter intervention times.
The event in Pantelleria was a great example of a Joint Expeditionary Force. Taking advantage of the Short Takeoff and Vertical Landing (STOVL) capability, two F-35Bs landed at the austere base of Pantelleria to be refueled on the ground by an ITAF KC130J tanker aircraft, while keeping their engines running (Hot Pit Refueling). The operation was carried out through the ALARP (Air Landed Aircraft Refueling Point) system which is able to provide simultaneous ground refueling of up to 4 aircraft, taking fuel from the Rapid Ground Refuel of the KC-130J, or through SPRP (Single-Point Refuel Panel). Once the operation was completed, the F-35Bs quickly took off to join two ITAF Eurofighter Typhoons over Calabria, southern Italy, to conduct a Composite Air Operation (COMAO).
According to Admiral Dragone, the goal of the Italian Defense is to achieve expeditionary capability from land and ships with the F-35Bs of both armed forces. Depending on the reference domain, all F-35Bs can be deployed under the operational control of the Air Force or the Navy, reporting to the Chief of Defense.
Italy's plan is to build an inter-force and multi-domain air expeditionary capacity, suitable for the development of a modern military structure based on the F-35B STOVL, which will allow capitalization of the expertises acquired by the fighter squadrons of both armed forces. It also provides for the exchange of pilots between the Air Force and the Navy and to house all the F-35Bs in a single base.
As proof of the good relations that currently bind the two armed forces, General Goretti highlighted how the Air Force and Navy are today on a "honeymoon" that they will ensure to last as long as possible.
The integration activity between the F-35B aircraft of the Italian Air Force and the Italian Navy began at the end of last year with the joint exercise aboard the Italian aircraft carrier Cavour and the British aircraft carrier Queen Elizabeth.
Italy's plan is to build an inter-force and multi-domain air expeditionary capacity, suitable for the development of a modern military structure based on the F-35B STOVL, which will allow capitalization of the expertises acquired by the fighter squadrons of both armed forces. It also provides for the exchange of pilots between the Air Force and the Navy and to house all the F-35Bs in a single base.
As proof of the good relations that currently bind the two armed forces, General Goretti highlighted how the Air Force and Navy are today on a "honeymoon" that they will ensure to last as long as possible.
The integration activity between the F-35B aircraft of the Italian Air Force and the Italian Navy began at the end of last year with the joint exercise aboard the Italian aircraft carrier Cavour and the British aircraft carrier Queen Elizabeth.
Report by Matteo Sanzani
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