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Italian Air Force

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"Italian Air Force" redirects here. For other uses, see Italian Air Force (disambiguation).
Aeronautica Militare
Coat of arms of the Italian Air Force
Founded28 March 1923
CountryItaly
Size45,000 personel
1260 aircraft
Part ofItalian Armed Forces
Motto(s)Latin: Virtute Siderum Tenus
"With Valour to the Stars"
Commanders
Current
commander		Lieutenant General Daniele Tei
Insignia
Identification
symbol

The Aeronautica Militare is the air force of the Republic of Italy (Repubblica Italiana). It has held a prominent role in modern Italian military history and its Aerobatic display team is the Frecce Tricolori.

History

Italy is one of the nations that can boast some of the oldest traditions in the field of aviation. As far back as 1884, in fact, the Italian Royal Army (Regio Esercito) was authorised to equip itself with its own air component, the Air Force Service (Servizio Aeronautico), based in Rome.

In 1911, during the Italo-Turkish War, Italy employed aircraft for the first time ever in the world for reconnaissance and bombing missions.

On 28 March 1923, the Italian air force was founded as an independent service arm by King Vittorio Emanuele III of the Kingdom of Italy (Regno d'Italia). This air force was known as the Regia Aeronautica (Royal Air Force).

During the 1930s, the Regia Aeronautica was involved in its first military operations, initially in Ethiopia in 1935, and later in the Spanish Civil War between 1936 and 1939. After a period of neutrality, Italy entered World War II on 10 June 1940 alongside Germany. The Regia Aeronautica could deploy more than 3,000 aircraft, although less than 60% were serviceable. The Regia Aeronautica fought from the icy steppes of Russia to the sand of the North African desert losing men and machines. After the armistice of 8 September 1943, Italy was divided into two sides, and the same fate befell the Regia Aeronautica. The end of the hostilities, on 8 May 1945, opened the gates to the rebirth of military aviation in Italy.

A referendum resulted in the proclamation of Italy as a Republic on 18 June 1946, and in parallel the Regia Aeronautica was transformed into the Air Force of the Italian Republic (Aeronautica Militare Italiana, or AMI), the title that it holds today. The Paris Peace Treaty of 1947 placed severe restrictions on the Italian armed forces, but membership of NATO in 1949 opened the way for modernisation of the AMI. The American military aid through the Mutual Defence Assistance Programme saw the arrival of P-51 Mustang and P-47 Thunderbolt piston-engined fighters. Later in 1952 some of the best aircraft of the period, F-84G, F-86E(M) and F-84F fighters and C-119 transports came to Italy. The reborn Italian aviation industry began to develop and produce aircraft of its own like the Fiat G91, Aermacchi MB-326, Piaggio Aero P166 and the line of Agusta-Bell helicopters. The first supersonic aircraft to serve with the AMI was the Lockheed F-104G Starfighter, constructed under licence by Fiat.

The 1970s witnessed the acquisition of the Aeritalia G222 and Lockheed C-130, which renewed the transport fleet, and the Lockheed-Aeritalia F-104S, a fighter-variant of the Starfighter developed specifically to meet the requirements of the Italian defence system.

Italian Eurofighter Typhoon.

The drive to improve and expand the aircraft industry led Italy into the tri-national development of the Panavia Tornado with Germany and the UK and the development and introduction of the AMX, this later with Embraer of Brazil. In 1990, following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, Italy joined the coalition forces and for the first time in 45 years Italian pilots and aircraft were tasked with military war-time operations.

With the need to replace the Starfighter, Italy joined with Germany, Spain and the UK, this time in the development of the Eurofighter Typhoon. In 1994 with the Eurofighter Typhoon still some years away from introduction 24 Panavia Tornado ADV (Air Defence Variants) were leased from British Royal Air Force stocks for a period of 10 years. The Tornado provided an up-to-date interceptor fleet bolstering the ageing Starfighter force.

The crises in Somalia, Mozambique, and the Balkans led to Italian Air Force involvement as part of multinational forces. The conflict in the former Yugoslavia, only a few minutes flying time from the Italian borders, saw a need to improve the future air defence.

The last of the Starfighters were retired in 2004. The Eurofighter Typhoon had originally been expected to start service from 2000 so as a replacement for the leased Tornado ADV interceptors (which were due expensive refurbishment and upgrades), the AMI leased 30 F-16A Block 15 ADF and four F-16B Block 10 Fighting Falcons, with an option for some more. Currently the introduction of the Eurofighter Typhoon to replace the leased F-16 Fighting Falcons is underway. Furthermore updates are foreseen on the Tornado IDS/IDT and the AMX-fleet.

The transport capacity was improved with the delivery of 22 C-130Js and 12 C-27J Spartan, that replaced the G222's.

In the year 2003, the Italian Air Force expanded its combat capabilities to land warfare and Special Forces by the creating the 17º Stormo Incursori ("17th Special Operations Wing"), also known as RIAM, Reparto Incursori Aeronautica Militare (Air Force Raiders Group), a unit that's primarily geared towards missions such as raids on land-based aeronautical compounds, Forward Air Control, and Combat Search and Rescue.

Aircraft inventory

Template:Standard table ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Aircraft ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Origin ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Type ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Versions ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|In service[1] ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Notes ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Others |----- ! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Combat aircraft |----- | AMX International AMX Ghibli ||  Italy/ Brazil || attack || AMX || one-seat 110, two-seat 26 first batch phased out for technical problems|| Total: 54 || will undergo the Mid Life Update ACOL by 2009, two-seat 26 |-----

| Lockheed F-16 Fighting Falcon[2] ||  United States || fighter

trainer || F-16AM-15

F-16BM-10

F-16B

F-16A || 30

4 || Total: 34 || leased from USAF; four F-16AM and one F-16BM crashed;[3] basic F-16A are used for spare parts

|-----

| Panavia Tornado ||  Europe || fighter-strike

anti-radar || IDS 1st MLU

IDS 2nd MLU

IDS full MLU

IT-ECR full MLU || 50

24

20 || Total: 94 || Mid Life Update divided in three tranches, currently the first is concluded, by now the other planes are in the original configuration, second MLU batch to be delivered by 2011

|----- | Eurofighter Typhoon ||  Europe || fighter-strike || || 35 || Total: 35 (35 T1s delivered) || 105 planned by 2012 |----- | || || || || || Total || |----- | General Atomics RQ-1 Predator ||  United States || reconnaissance UAV || RQ-1A || 5 || originally 6 || jointly operated with the Navy |-----

| Aermacchi MB-339 ||  Italy || trainer

(Combat Capable)

aerobatic display || MB 339A

MB 339A/MLU

MB 339CD

MB 339PAN || 24

33

30

15 || Total: 102 || originally 120

Mid Life Upgrade

variants with hud glass cockpit and more fighter capability

used by Frecce Tricolori

|----- | Aermacchi SF-260 ||  Italy || trainer || SF 260EA || 28 || All SF260AM phased out[4] |----- | General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper ||  United States || reconnaissance UAV || MQ-9 || 4 || |----- | MD Helicopters MD 500 Defender ||  Italy || utility helicopter || NH 500E || 50 || || built by BredaNardi |----- | Agusta-Bell AB212 Twin Huey ||  Italy || rescue helicopter || AB212AM || 34 || || built by Agusta |-----

| Sikorsky HH-3F Sea King ||  Italy || Combat SAR

VIP transport || HH-3F

SH-3DTS || 30

2 || Mid Life Update on 24 helicopter currently carry out || built by Agusta

|----- | Breguet Atlantique ||  France || maritime patrol || Br 1150 || 12 || 18 were purchased in early seventies || jointly operated with the Navy |-----

| Boeing 767 ||  United States || aerial refueling

strategic transport || KC-767A || 0 || 4 on order, revised delivery Q4 2009 ||

|----- | Alenia G.222 ||  Italy || tactical transport || G222|| 46 || Phased out || |----- | Alenia C-27J Spartan ||  Italy || tactical transport || C-27J || 12 ||[4] || |-----

| Lockheed C-130J Super Hercules ||  United States || tactical transport || C-130J

C-130J-30 || 12

10 || 6 KC-130J tanker kit ||

|----- | SIAI Marchetti S 208 ||  Italy || liaison || S 208M || 27 || Being phased out || |-----

| Piaggio P166 ||  Italy || utility transport || P.166DL-3

P.166 APH || 31 || All P-166M phased out || utility transport

aerial cartography

|-----

| Piaggio P180 Avanti ||  Italy || utility transport || P.180 M

P.180 RM

P.180 APH || 8

4

2 || The Radio calibration and the Aerial cartography variants are rapidly reconfigurable to utitily transport role. || utility transport

radio calibration

aerial cartography

|----- | Dassault Falcon 50 ||  France || VIP transport || 4 || 1 || || |-----

| Dassault Falcon 900 ||  France || VIP transport || 900EX

900EX Easy || 3

2 || ||

|----- | Airbus A319 ||  Europe || VIP transport || A319-100 ACJ || 3 || || |----- Total aircraft = 560 |}

Future aircraft

Retired aircraft

Bases

  • Milano-Linate
  • Brescia-Ghedi
  • Piacenza-San Damiano
  • Treviso-Istrana
  • Udine-Rivolto
  • Cervia-San Girgio
  • Rimini-Miramare
  • Pisa-San Giusto
  • Grosseto
  • Roma-Guidonia
  • Roma-Ciampino
  • Roma-Pratica di Mare
  • Latina
  • Frosinone
  • Grazzanise
  • Foggia-Amendola
  • Gioia del Colle
  • Brindisi-Casale
  • Lecce-Galatina
  • Catania-Sigonella
  • Trapani-Birgi
  • Decimomannu
  • Perdasdefogu
  • Malta
  • Novara-Cameri
  • Treviso
  • Napoli-Capodichino
  • Vicenza
  • Caselle-airport of Sandro Pertini

Rank Structure

Ufficiali generali - General officers
Generale
General
Generale di Squadra Aerea Generale di Divisione Aerea Generale di Brigata Aerea
Lieutenant General Major General Brigadier General
Ufficiali superiori - Senior officers
Colonnello Tenente Colonnello Maggiore
Colonel Lieutenant Colonel Major
Ufficiali inferiori - Junior officers
Capitano Tenente Sottotenente
Captain 1st Lieutenant 2nd Lieutenant
Sottufficiali - Warrant Officers
Primo maresciallo luogotenente
1st Lieutenant Marshall
Primo Maresciallo Maresciallo di Prima Classe Maresciallo di Seconda Classe Maresciallo di Terza Classe Sergente Maggiore Sergente
1st Marshall 1st Class Marshall 2nd Class Marshall 3rd Class Marshall Sergeant Major Sergeant
Truppa - Troops
No insignia
Primo Aviere Capo Primo Aviere Scelto Aviere Capo Primo Aviere Aviere Scelto Aviere
First Chief Airman First Senior Airman Chief Airman First Airman Senior Airman Airman

Aeronautica Militare organisation and units

Aeronautica Militare Structure (Click to enlarge)

Stato Maggiore Aeronautica Militare

  • Stato Maggiore Aeronautica Militare (Aeronautica Militare General Staff) in Rome
    • Comando della Squadra Aerea (Air Force units Command) in Centocelle
    • Comando Logistico (Logistic Command) in Rome
    • Comando Scuole dell'Aeronautica Militare (Aeronautica Militare Schools Command) in Bari
    • Comando Operativo Delle Forze Aeree (Air Operations Command) in Poggio Renatico
    • Comando 1 Regione Aerea (1st (North Italy) Air Region Command) in Milan
    • Comando 3 Regione Aerea (3rd (South Italy) Air Region Command) in Bari

Comando della Squadra Aerea

The Comando della Squadra Aerea (Operational Forces Command or CSA) controls all operative units of the Aeronautica Militare. The responsibility of the CSA is to ensure that each unit is equipped, trained and prepared for combat duty. However for actual missions the units are commanded by the Comando Operativo Delle Forze Aeree (Air-forces Operations Command or COFA).

  • Comando della Squadra Aerea (Operational Forces Command) in Centocelle
    • Comando delle Forze da Combattimento (Combat Forces Command) in Milan
      • 2º Stormo Mario d'Agostini (2nd Wing) in Rivolto
        • Reparto Missili (Missile Regiment)
          • 700º Gruppo Mobile Sistemi Missilistici (700th Mobile Missile Systems Squadron) operating Spada Air-defence system
          • 701º Gruppo Mobile Sistemi Missilistici (701st Mobile Missile Systems Squadron) operating Spada Air-defence system
          • Gruppo Addestramento Sistemi Missilistici (Missile Systems Training Squadron)
        • 402º Gruppo STO (402nd Technical Support Squadron)
        • 502º Gruppo SLO (502nd Logistic Support Squadron)
        • Gruppo Difesa (Air Defence and Security Squadron) operating Spada Air-defence system
      • 4º Stormo Amedeo d'Aosta (4th Wing) in Grosseto
        • 9º Gruppo ADX (9th Fighter Squadron) operating Eurofighter Typhoon
        • 20º Gruppo OCU ADX (20th Fighter Training Squadron) operating Eurofighter Typhoon (Twin-seat variant)
        • 404º Gruppo STO (404th Technical Support Squadron)
        • 504º Gruppo SLO (504th Logistic Support Squadron)
        • 904º Gruppo Efficenza Aeromobili (904th (Eurofighter Typhoon) Maintenance Squadron)
        • Gruppo Difesa (Air Defence and Security Squadron) operating Spada Air-defence system
        • 604ª Squadriglia Collegamenti (604th SAR and Communication Flight)
      • 5º Stormo Giuseppe Cenni (5th Wing) in Cervia
        • 23º Gruppo ADX (23rd Fighter Squadron) operating 10 × F-16ADF Fighting Falcon
        • 405º Gruppo STO (405th Technical Support Squadron)
        • 505º Gruppo SLO (505th Logistic Support Squadron)
        • 905º Gruppo Efficenza Aeromobili (905th Maintenance Squadron)
        • Gruppo Difesa (Air Defence and Security Squadron) operating Spada Air-defence system
        • 605ª Squadriglia Collegamenti (605th SAR and Communication Flight)
      • 6º Stormo Alfredo Fusco (6th Wing) in Ghedi
        • 102º Gruppo OCU (102nd Training Squadron) operating Tornado IDS
        • 154º Gruppo FBX-STRIKE-RECCE (154th Fighter-Bomber Reconnaissance & SEAD Squadron) operating Tornado IDS
        • 156º Gruppo FBX (156th Fighter-Bomber Squadron) operating Tornado IDS
        • 406º Gruppo STO (406th Technical Support Squadron)
        • 506º Gruppo SLO (506th Logistic Support Squadron)
        • 906º Gruppo Efficenza Aeromobili (904th (Tornado) Maintenance Squadron)
        • Gruppo Difesa (Air Defence and Security Squadron) operating Spada Air-defence system
        • 606ª Squadriglia Collegamenti (606th SAR and Communication Flight)
      • 32º Stormo Armando Boetto (32nd Wing) in Amendola
        • 13º Gruppo FBA (13th Ground Attack Squadron) operating AMX
        • 28º Gruppo UAV (28th Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron) operating 5 × RQ-1A Predator
        • 101º Gruppo OCU (101st Training Squadron) operating 26 × AMX-T
        • 432º Gruppo STO (432nd Technical Support Squadron)
        • 532º Gruppo SLO (532nd Logistic Support Squadron)
        • 932º Gruppo Efficenza Aeromobili (932nd (AMX) Maintenance Squadron)
        • Gruppo Difesa (Air Defence and Security Squadron) operating Spada Air-defence system
        • 632ª Squadriglia Collegamenti (632nd SAR and Communication Flight)
      • 36º Stormo Riccardo Helmut Seidl (36th Wing) in Gioia del Colle
        • 12º Gruppo ADX (12th Fighter Squadron) operating Eurofighter Typhoon
        • 436º Gruppo STO (436th Technical Support Squadron)
        • 536º Gruppo SLO (536th Logistic Support Squadron)
        • 936º Gruppo Efficenza Aeromobili (936th Maintenance Squadron)
        • Gruppo Difesa (Air Defence and Security Squadron) operating Spada Air-defence system
        • 636ª Squadriglia Collegamenti (636th SAR and Communication Flight)
      • 37º Stormo Cesare Toschi (37th Wing) in Trapani
        • 10º Gruppo ADX (10th Fighter Squadron) operating 10 × F-16ADF Fighting Falcon
        • 18º Gruppo ADX (18th Fighter Squadron) operating 10 × F-16ADF Fighting Falcon
        • 437º Gruppo STO (437th Technical Support Squadron)
        • 537º Gruppo SLO (537th Logistic Support Squadron)
        • 937º Gruppo Efficenza Aeromobili (937th Maintenance Squadron)
        • Gruppo Difesa (Air Defence and Security Squadron) operating Spada Air-defence system
        • 637ª Squadriglia Collegamenti (637th SAR and Communication Flight)
      • 50º Stormo Giorgio Graffer (50th Wing) in Piacenza
        • 155º Gruppo ETS (155th Electronic Warfare and Tactical Suppression Squadron) operating 16 × Tornado ECR
        • 450º Gruppo STO (450th Technical Support Squadron)
        • 550º Gruppo SLO (550th Logistic Support Squadron)
        • Gruppo Difesa (Air Defence and Security Squadron) operating Spada Air-defence system
        • 650ª Squadriglia Collegamenti (650th SAR and Communication Flight)
      • 51º Stormo Ferruccio Serafini (51st Wing) in Istrana
        • 103º Gruppo FBA (103rd Ground Attack Squadron) operating AMX
        • 132º Gruppo FBA/RECCE (132nd Ground Attack Reconnaissance Squadron) operating AMX
        • 451º Gruppo STO (451st Technical Support Squadron)
        • 551º Gruppo SLO (551st Logistic Support Squadron)
        • Gruppo Difesa (Air Defence and Security Squadron) operating Spada Air-defence system
        • 651ª Squadriglia Collegamenti (651st SAR and Communication Flight)
      • 313º Gruppo Addestramento Acrobatico (313th Acrobatic Training Squadron - Frecce Tricolori) operating 20 × MB-339PAN in Rivolto
      • Squadriglia Collegamenti Linate (Communication Flight Linate) in Linate
    • 1ª Brigata Aerea Operazioni Speciali Vezio Mezzetti (1st Special Air Brigade) in Padua
      • 9º Stormo Francesco Baracca (9th CSAR Wing) in Grazzanise
        • 21º Gruppo (21st Squadron) operating AB 212 helicopters
        • 409º Gruppo STO (409th Technical Support Squadron)
        • 509º Gruppo SLO (509th Logistic Support Squadron)
        • Gruppo Difesa (Air Defence and Security Squadron) operating Spada Air-defence system
        • 609ª Squadriglia Collegamenti (609th SAR and Communication Flight)
      • 16º Stormo (16th Force Protection Wing) in Martina Franca
        • Battaglione Fucilieri dell'Aria (Air-force Fusiliers Battalion)
        • 416º Gruppo STO (416th Technical Support Squadron)
        • 516º Gruppo SLO (516th Logistic Support Squadron)
        • Compagnia Difesa (Security Company)
      • 17º Stormo (17th Raiders Wing) in Cerveteri
        • Gruppo Operativo Incursori (Operational Raiders Squadron)
        • Gruppo Addestramento (Training Squadron)
        • Gruppo Servizi di Supporto (Service Support Squadron)
        • Compagnia Difesa (Security Company)
    • 46ª Brigata Aerea Silvio Angelucci (46th Air Brigade) in Pisa
      • 2º Gruppo (2nd Squadron) 12 × C-130J Super Hercules
      • 50º Gruppo (50th Squadron) 10 × C-130J-30
      • 98º Gruppo (98th Squadron) 12 × C-27J Spartan
      • 446º Gruppo STO (446th Technical Support Squadron)
      • 546º Gruppo SLO (546th Logistic Support Squadron)
      • 946º Gruppo Efficenza Aeromobili (946th Maintenance Squadron)
      • Gruppo Difesa (Air Defence and Security Squadron) operating Spada Air-defence system
      • Centro Addestramento Equipaggi (Crew Training Center)
    • 14º Stormo Sergio Sartoff (14th Wing) in Pratica di Mare
    • 15º Stormo Stefano Cagna (15th Wing) in Pratica di Mare
      • 81º Centro Addestramento SAR (81st Search and Rescue Training Center) in Pratica di Mare operating AB-212 helicopters
      • 82º Centro C/SAR (82nd Combat/Search and Rescue Center) in Trapani operating HH-3F helicopters
      • 83º Centro C/SAR (83rd Combat/Search and Rescue Center) in Rimini operating HH-3F helicopters
      • 84º Centro C/SAR (84th Combat/Search and Rescue Center) in Brindisi operating HH-3F helicopters
      • 85º Centro C/SAR (85th Combat/Search and Rescue Center) in Pratica di Mare operating HH-3F helicopters
      • 615ª Squadriglia Collegamenti (641st Communication Flight) operating NH-500E helicopters
    • 31º Stormo Carmelo Raiti (31st Wing) in Ciampino
      • 93º Gruppo (93rd Squadron) operating 3 × Airbus A319CJ & 4 × Falcon 50
      • 306º Gruppo (306th Squadron) operating 2 × Falcon 900EX, 3 × Falcon 900EASy, 2 × Sikorsky SH 3D-TS
      • 431º Gruppo STO (431st Technical Support Squadron)
      • 531º Gruppo SLO (531st Logistic Support Squadron)
      • 931º Gruppo Efficenza Aeromobili (931st Maintenance Squadron)
      • Gruppo Difesa (Air Defence and Security Squadron) operating Spada Air-defence system
      • Centro Addestramento Equipaggi (Crew Training Center)
    • 41º Stormo Athos Ammannato (41st Wing) in Sigonella
      • 88º Gruppo A/S (88th Anti Submarine Squadron) operating 12 × Breguet Atlantic
      • 441º Gruppo STO (441st Technical Support Squadron)
      • 541º Gruppo SLO (541st Logistic Support Squadron)
      • 941º Gruppo Efficenza Aeromobili (941st (Breguet Atlantic) Maintenance Squadron)
      • Gruppo Difesa (Air Defence and Security Squadron) operating Spada Air-defence system
      • 86º Centro Addestramento Equipaggi (86th Crew Training Center)
      • 641ª Squadriglia Collegamenti (641st SAR and Communication Flight)
    • Comando Aeroporto / Quartier Generale del Comando della Squadra Aerea (Air Base Command & Operational Forces Command HQ) in Centocelle
    • Comando Aeroporto Aviano (Aviano Air Base Command) in Aviano
    • Centro Informazioni Geotopografiche Aeronautiche (Aeronautica Geo-topographic Information Center) in Pratica di Mare
    • Reparto Supporto Tecnico Operativo Guerra Elettronica (Electronic Warfare Support Regiment) in Pratica di Mare
      • Gruppo Supporto Operativo (Operations Support Squadron)
      • Gruppo Supporto Tecnico (Technical Support Squadron)
    • Reparto Addestramento Controllo Spazio Aereo (Air-space Control Training Regiment) in Pratica di Mare
      • Gruppo Addestramento Operativo Traffico Aereo (Air-traffic Training Squadron)
      • Gruppo Addestramento Operativo Difesa Aerea (Air-defence Training Squadron)
      • Gruppo Supporto Tecnico (Technical Support Squadron)
    • Reparto Sperimentale Standardizzazione Tiro Aereo Giovanni Farina (Weapons R&D Regiment) in Decimomannu

Comando Logistico

  • 1ª Divisione - Centro Sperimentale di Volo (1st Division - Experimental Flight Center)
    • Reparto Sperimentale Volo (Experimental Flight Department)
      • 311º Gruppo Volo (311th Flight Squadron)
      • Gruppo Sistemi Spaziali (Space Systems Squadron)
      • Gruppo Tecnico (Technical Squadron)
      • Gruppo Gestione Software (Software Squadron)
    • Reparto Chimico (Chemical Research Department)
      • Gruppo Materiali Strutturali (Structural Materials Squadron)
      • Gruppo Materiali di Consumo (Fuel Materials Squadron)
      • Gruppo Controlli non Distruttivi (Control Squadron)
      • Gruppo Analisi e prove Chimiche e Fisiche (Chemical and Physical Analysis and Experimentation Squadron)
    • Reparto Armamento (Weapons Research Department)
      • Gruppo Armamento Convenzionale (Conventional Weapons Squadron)
      • Gruppo Indagini Balistiche (Ballistic Research Squadron)
      • Gruppo Indagini Tecniche (Technical Research Squadron)
    • Reparto Medicina Aeronautica e Spaziale (Air and Space Medicine Department)
      • Gruppo Alta Quota ed Ambienti Estremi (High Altitude Squadron)
      • Gruppo Biodinamica (Biodynamical Squadron)
      • Gruppo Fattori umani (Human Factor Squadron)
  • 2ª Divisione - Supporto Tecnico Operativo Aeromobili Armamento ed Avionica (2nd Division - Avionic and Armaments Support)
    • 1º Reparto Supporto Aeromobili (1st Aircraft Support Unit)
    • 2º Reparto Supporto Sistemi Avionica Armamento (2nd Avionics and Weapons Systems Support Unit)
  • 3ª Divisione - Supporto Tecnico Operativo Sistemi Comando e Controllo Telecomunicazioni e Telematica (3rd Division - IT Support)
    • 1º Reparto Sistemi D.A./A.V./T.L.C. (IT Department)
    • 2º Reparto Sistemi Automatizzati (Automatic Systems Department)
  • Servizio dei Supporti (Support Service)
  • Servizio Infrastrutture (Infrastructure Service)
  • Servizio di Commissariato e Amministrazione (Commissariat and Administration Service)
  • Servizio Sanitario Aeronautica Militare (Aeronautica Militare Medical Service)

Comando Scuole dell'Aeronautica Militare

The Comando Scuole dell'Aeronautica Militare is responsible for the formation and training of all members of the Aeronautica Militare. It controls all schools and three Training Stormo's:

  • Comando Scuole dell'Aeronautica Militare (Aeronautica Militare Schools Command) in Bari
    • Istituto di Scienze Militari Aeronautiche (Military Aeronautical Sciences Institue) in Florence
      • Scuola Militare Aeronautica Giulio Douhet (Aeronautica Militare (High) School) in Florence
    • Accademia Aeronautica (Airforce Academy) in Pozzuoli
    • Divisione Formazione Superiore (Formation Division) in Taranto
      • Scuola Marescialli Aeronautica Militare (Non Commissioned Officers school) in Viterbo
      • Scuola Specialisti Aeronautica Militare (Non Commissioned Officers school) in Caserta
      • Scuola di Perfezionamento Sottufficiali Aeronautica Militare (on Commissioned Officers school) in Loreto
        • Scuola Lingue Estere (Foreign Languages School) in Loreto
      • Scuola di Sanità (Medical School) in Rome
    • Scuola di Aerocooperazione (Air Cooperation School - a inter-service coordination & training center) in Guidonia Montecelio
    • Centro di Selezione Aeronautica Militare (Aeronautica Militare Selection Center) in Guidonia Montecelio
    • Centro di Volo a Vela (Glider Centre) in Guidonia Montecelio
    • Centro Storiografico e Sportivo Aeronautica Militare (Aeronautica Militare History & Sport Center) in Vigna di Valle
    • Rappresentanza Aeronautica Militare Italiana Moose Jaw (Italian Aeronautica Militare Mission or RAMI Moose Jaw)
    • Rappresentanza Aeronautica Militare Italiana Sheppard (Italian Aeronautica Militare Mission or RAMI Sheppard)
    • 61º Stormo (61st (Jet Training) Wing) in Lecce
      • 212º Gruppo (212nd Squadron) operating MB-339CD
      • 213º Gruppo (213rd Squadron) operating MB-339A
      • 214º Gruppo Istruzione Professionale (214th Training Squadron)
      • 461º Gruppo STO (461st Technical Support Squadron)
      • 561º Gruppo SLO (561st Logistic Support Squadron)
      • 961º Gruppo Efficenza Aeromobili (961st (MB-339A) Maintenance Squadron)
      • 661ª Squadriglia Collegamenti (661st Communication Flight)
      • Compagnia Difesa (Security Company)
    • 70º Stormo Giulio Cesare Graziani (70th (Basic Training) Wing) in Latina
      • 207º Gruppo (207th Squadron) operating SF.260EA
      • Gruppo Istruzione Professionale (Training Squadron)
      • 470º Gruppo STO (470th Technical Support Squadron)
      • 570º Gruppo SLO (570th Logistic Support Squadron)
      • Gruppo Efficenza Aeromobili (Maintenance Squadron)
      • 674ª Squadriglia Collegamenti (674st Communication Flight)
      • Compagnia Difesa (Security Company)
    • 72º Stormo (72nd (Helicopter Training) Wing) in Frosinone
      • 208º Gruppo (208th Squadron) operating NH-500E helicopters
      • Gruppo Istruzione Professionale (Training Squadron)
      • 472º Gruppo STO (472nd Technical Support Squadron)
      • 572º Gruppo SLO (572nd Logistic Support Squadron)
      • Gruppo Efficenza Aeromobili (Maintenance Squadron)
      • Compagnia Difesa (Security Company)

Comando Operativo Delle Forze Aeree

The Comando Operativo Delle Forze Aeree (Air-forces Operations Command or COFA) conducts all operations of the Aeronautica Militare. The COFA controls all military radar installations in Italy and its Gruppo Riporto e Controllo Difesa Aerea coordinates the control of and if necessary the defence of the Italian Air-space. If needed the COFA can directly employ and command all units under administrative control of the Comando della Squadra Aerea (CSA).

  • Gruppo Riporto e Controllo Difesa Aerea in (Air-space Control Center) Poggio Renatico
  • 21º Gruppo Radar (21st Radar Squadron) in Poggio Ballone
    • 112ª Squadriglia Radar Remota (Radar Sation) in Mortara
    • 113ª Squadriglia Radar Remota (Radar Sation) in Lame di Concordia
    • 114ª Squadriglia Radar Remota (Radar Sation) in Potenza Picena
    • 115ª Squadriglia Radar Remota (Radar Sation) in Capomele
  • 22º Gruppo Radar (22nd Radar Squadron) in Licola
  • 32º Gruppo Radar (32nd Radar Squadron) in Otranto
    • 132ª Squadriglia Radar Remota (Radar Sation) in Crotone
  • 34º Gruppo Radar (34th Radar Squadron) in Mezzogregorio
    • 134ª Squadriglia Radar Remota (Radar Sation) in Lampedusa
    • 135ª Squadriglia Radar Remota (Radar Sation) in Marsala

Chiefs of the Air force

Name Term start Term end
Pier Ruggero Piccio 1 January 1926 6 February 1927
Armando Armani 10 February 1927 13 October 1928
Giuseppe Valle 22 February 1930 23 November 1933
Antonio Bosio 23 November 1933 22 March 1934
Giuseppe Valle 22 March 1934 10 November 1939
Francesco Pricolo 10 November 1939 15 November 1941
Rino Corso Fougier 15 November 1941 27 July 1943
Renato Sandalli 27 July 1943 18 June 1944
Pietro Piacentini 19 June 1944 13 December 1944
Mario Ajmone Cat 13 December 1944 5 February 1951
Aldo Urbani 5 February 1951 10 November 1955
Ferdinando Raffaelli 10 November 1955 1 February 1958
Silvio Napoli 1 February 1958 1 September 1961
Aldo Remondino 1 September 1961 28 February 1968
Duilio S. Fanali 28 February 1968 1 November 1971
Vincenzo Lucertini 1 November 1971 27 February 1974
Dino Ciarlo 27 February 1974 20 June 1977
Alessandro Mettimano 20 June 1977 1 April 1980
Lamberto Bartolucci 2 April 1980 12 October 1983
Basilio Cottone 19 October 1983 17 September 1986
Franco Pisano 18 September 1986 15 April 1990
Stelio Nardini 16 April 1990 24 March 1993
Adelchi Pillinini 25 March 1993 3 June 1995
Mario Arpino 4 June 1995 5 February 1999
Andrea Fornasiero 5 February 1999 5 August 2001
Sandro Ferracuti 5 August 2001 4 August 2004
Leonardo Tricarico 5 August 2004 19 September 2006
Vincenzo Camporini 19 September 2006 30 January 2008
Daniele Tei 30 January 2008 Incumbent

Photos

  • Aermacchi MB-339CD
    Aermacchi MB-339CD
  • Aermacchi MB-339PAN
    Aermacchi MB-339PAN
  • Alenia Aermacchi Embraer AMX
    Alenia Aermacchi Embraer AMX
  • Breguet Atlantic
    Breguet Atlantic
  • Eurofighter Typhoon
    Eurofighter Typhoon
  • General Atomics RQ-1A Predator
    General Atomics RQ-1A Predator
  • Lockheed F-16A
    Lockheed F-16A
  • Huges NH-500E
    Huges NH-500E
  • Panavia Tornado ECR
    Panavia Tornado ECR
  • Piaggio P-166 DL3
    Piaggio P-166 DL3

See also

References

Notes

  1. ^ "World Military Aircraft Inventory", Aerospace Source Book 2007, Aviation Week & Space Technology, January 15, 2007.
  2. ^ http://www.f-16.net/f-16_users_article10.html
  3. ^ http://www.f-16.net/f-16_mishaps_airforce-AMI.html
  4. ^ a b Italian military aviation OrBat
  5. ^ Aeronautica Militare official site

Bibliography

  • Malizia, Nicola. F-47D "Thunderbolt" (Aviolibri Records n.6) (Bilingual Italian/English). Rome, Italy: IBN Editore, 2005. ISBN 88-7565-021-7.
  • Mattioli, Marco. Lockheed P-38 Lightning in Italian Service, 1943-1955 (Aviolibri Records n.4) (Bilingual Italian/English). Rome, Italia: IBN Editore, 2004. ISBN 88-7565-010-1.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Italian_Air_Force&oldid=336906464"