On January 14, with the overflight of the helicopters, 1 CH-47F “Chinook” and 3 AH-129D “Mangusta”, in quartet formation on the Forward Operating Base (FOB) of Menaka in Mali, the achievement of Full Operational Capability (FOC) by the Italian contingent deployed in the Sahel, as part of Operation Barkhane, expression of a French-led international coalition.
Since July 2021, when the deployment of the Italian contingent began, an intense training activity has been launched aimed at strengthening and implementing interoperability with the coalition assets.
About 200 Italian soldiers will operate within TF Takuba, guaranteeing medical evacuation capabilities for coalition personnel in operation through the use of the 3 CH 47 F transport aircraft of the 1st Army Aviation Regiment, in medevac configuration which will use of the necessary safety framework ensured by the 3 exploration and escort helicopters AH – 129D “Mangusta”, of the 5th and 7th regiments of the Army Aircraft Brigade, framed in the “JACANA” Task Force under the orders of Col. Andrea Carbonaro, first Commander of the Italian contingent in Mali.
TF JACANA also makes use of “Guardian Angel” rifle squads of the 66th Army regiment that will ensure the safety of the CH 47Fs on board the aircraft. The Italian contribution is completed with the availability of a Role 1 pre-hospital capacity health structure, with a team that will ensure medical support for all coalition personnel and with the presence of the National Support Element.