Italian Air Force bids farewell to AMX light strike aircraft
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| ITAF AMX with special livery takes off from Istrana Air Base, Northern Italy, on the occasion of the aircraft phase-out ceremony. |
The Italian Air Force recently said goodbye to the AMX "Ghibli" light attack aircraft which was retired after 35 years of intense operational activity in Italy and abroad. The sunset of the iconic jet was celebrated with an event at the Istrana Air Base, home of the 51st Fighter Wing, on 5 April 2024.
The event was kicked off by the take-off of five AMX jets, including the one with the special "phase-out" celebratory livery, which conducted a training mission before joining a Tornado, a Eurofighter and an F-35, ideally bringing together all generations of tactical aircraft currently in service with the Italian Air Force.
The ceremony was further enanched by the presence of the Frecce Tricolori aerobatic team, which deployed at the Istrana Air Base to carry out one of the last training sessions before starting the 2024 aerobatic season. During 2024 the Frecce Tricolori will also tour North America, where they will return to perform more than 30 years after the last time.
The event was kicked off by the take-off of five AMX jets, including the one with the special "phase-out" celebratory livery, which conducted a training mission before joining a Tornado, a Eurofighter and an F-35, ideally bringing together all generations of tactical aircraft currently in service with the Italian Air Force.
The ceremony was further enanched by the presence of the Frecce Tricolori aerobatic team, which deployed at the Istrana Air Base to carry out one of the last training sessions before starting the 2024 aerobatic season. During 2024 the Frecce Tricolori will also tour North America, where they will return to perform more than 30 years after the last time.
The AMX, which was born from the collaboration between the Italian and Brazilian aerospace industries, entered service with the Italian Air Force in 1989, at the 103rd Flight Squadron based at the 51st Wing/Istrana AB, and was then also assigned to the 2nd Wing/Rivolto AB, to the 3rd Wing/Villafranca AB and to the 32nd Wing/Amendola AB, to progressively replace the G-91R and F-104 aircraft.
During its 35 years of service the AMX has exceeded 240,000 flight hours, of which 18,500 in real operations, and has crossed the skies of 33 nations, operating in eight different operational theaters and taking part in numerous international exercises: from freezing climates of Norway and Canada to the sand of Kuwait. Thanks to its very versatile light fighter capabilities - also acquired from the various updates which over time have improved the avionics, sensors, armament and range - the AMX has been able to carry out various types of missions such as interdiction and ground attack , escort and support to ground troops and ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Recognition) tasks.
During its 35 years of service the AMX has exceeded 240,000 flight hours, of which 18,500 in real operations, and has crossed the skies of 33 nations, operating in eight different operational theaters and taking part in numerous international exercises: from freezing climates of Norway and Canada to the sand of Kuwait. Thanks to its very versatile light fighter capabilities - also acquired from the various updates which over time have improved the avionics, sensors, armament and range - the AMX has been able to carry out various types of missions such as interdiction and ground attack , escort and support to ground troops and ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Recognition) tasks.
From the mid-1990s to 2019, the AMX participated in numerous real operations in the former Yugoslavia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Libya, Iraq and Kuwait. It also carried out valuable photographic reconnaissance missions over national skies as part of the support provided by Defense to populations affected by serious natural disasters.
The four aircraft still operational - two single-seaters and two two-seaters - will conclude their activity in the next few days by landing at Piacenza airport, the site designated to house the Flight Museum of the Italian Air Force. The Flying Museum will allow all aviation enthusiasts to admire the AMX in the air again in the future.
The four aircraft still operational - two single-seaters and two two-seaters - will conclude their activity in the next few days by landing at Piacenza airport, the site designated to house the Flight Museum of the Italian Air Force. The Flying Museum will allow all aviation enthusiasts to admire the AMX in the air again in the future.
Written by Matteo Sanzani
Source, Images: Italian Air Force
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