The Arctic Challenge is a biennial exercise, the first edition of which dates back to 2013. Now in its 6^ edition, the Arctic Challenge Exercise is a candidate to be the most impressive and complex of the military exercises ever carried out in Nordic territory, both for the number of participating countries and for the number of assets used.
Jointly organised by Norway, Finland, Sweden and Denmark, this year Finland has been in the lead. A total of 14 nations took part: in addition to Italy, the Armed Forces of Holland, Belgium, United Kingdom, Italy, Canada, France, Germany, Switzerland, Czech Republic and USA participated, to which of course the host nations must be added.
The main purpose of the exercise was the joint training of all the components present who, perfecting the integration process between 4th and 5th generation assets, had the opportunity to confront themselves in complex mission scenarios and prohibitive environmental situations, in considerably congested airspaces (about 200 aircraft flying at the same time), with simulated and real threats, with tactics and rules of engagement that allowed to test and maximize all the Technological resources available.
All this has allowed the increase of the combat readiness of the crews involved, favoring the increase of international cooperation thanks to the exchange of experiences gained and acquired knowledge.
Precisely the availability of large usable airspaces, mainly on Swedish territory, has made it possible to perform numerous sorties carried out by the various assets involved and redeployed at the 4 reference bases: Orland (Norway), Rovaniemi (Finland), Kallax (Sweden) and Pirkkala (Finland).
The Italian Air Force took part in the activity with five F-35A aircraft of the 32nd Wing of Amendola redeployed on the Norwegian base of Orland and related personnel, also supplemented by an aliquot from the 6th Wing of Ghedi.
The activities carried out have embraced the entire spectrum of aerospace capabilities, including OCA (Offensive Counter Air), AI (Air Interdiction) and DCA (Defensice Counter Air) missions, and have been supported by an Airborne Command and Control (AWACS) and KC-135 Stratotanker assets for in-flight refueling operations, all inserted in advanced threat scenarios and implemented by real air defense systems, simulators and aerotactic set-ups.
The availability of a large firing range off the western coast of Norway has also made it possible for two F-35A aircraft to use two air-to-air missiles (AIM-120 AMRAAM) for the neutralization and shooting down of two specially launched and controlled targets from the ground.
The success of the activity of the first real launch of the AIM-120 AMRAAM missile with Italian F-35, confirmed not only the very high level of training and competence achieved by the Italian Air Force in the use of the 5 ^ generation weapon system but also the extreme reliability and effectiveness of the F-35 which, with maximum precision and from a considerable distance, managed to find, identify, engage and hit both targets.
The success of the activity, the first real launch of the AMRAAM missile with Italian F-35, confirmed the extreme reliability and effectiveness of the weapon system that, with maximum precision and from a considerable distance, managed to hit both targets.
This event represents the achievement of a further important “milestone” in the capacity growth of the F-35 towards the achievement of Final Operational Capability (FOC) in the year of the Centenary of the Italian Air Force and has allowed the Italian Defense to confirm, once again, the ability of the Italian Air Force to effectively guarantee the defense of the national airspace and the Alliance.
The 32nd Wing is employed by the Combat Forces Command (CFC) of Milan, whose assigned mission is to acquire and maintain the operational readiness of all air defense and attack and reconnaissance bodies, providing for the operational efficiency of weapon systems, means and materials, as well as staff training and constant updating and optimization of operational procedures, in compliance with the guidelines of the SS. AA.
The CFC is employed by the Air Squad Command which exercises the responsibilities regarding the training, preparation and operational preparation of its Departments, so that they acquire and maintain the expected levels of operational readiness. After reaching the Initial Operational Capability (IOC), which took place in 2018, it participates, since 2019, in NATO Air Policing Operations outside the national borders. Since February 2020, the 32nd Wing is the only Department on the European scene that jointly employs both F-35A (CTOL) and F-35B (STOVL), contributing, with the 5th generation aircraft, to the Air Expeditionary capacity of the Armed Forces.
From January 2022 the 32nd Wing is regularly included in the rotation of the national and NATO Airspace Surveillance Service. In addition, using MQ9-A Remotely Piloted Aircraft, the Department carries out Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition & Recoinissance operations, both national and coalition. Finally, through the MB-339 aircraft, the 32° Stormo completes the training of UAV pilots to maintain an adequate operational level on traditional piloted aircraft.
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