Sei F-35A e sei Eurofighter dell’Aeronautica si addestrano con gli F-16 di Aviano
Si è conclusa il 17 febbraio, presso l’Aeroporto di Aviano, l’esercitazione “Agile Combat Employment” che ha visto la partecipazione di sei F-35A del 32° Stormo e sei Eurofighter dell’Aeronautica Militare con otto F-16 del 555th Fighter Squadron “Triple Nickel”.
I velivoli, supportati da due KC-135 decollati dalla base inglese di Mildenhall, hanno potuto addestrarsi insieme in “offensive counter training” per consolidare e rafforzare l’interoperabilità tra le forze Alleate
L’addestramento congiunto, si legge nel comunicato dell’USAF, permette inoltre al 31st Fighter Wing di aumentare la propria letalità consentendo allo stesso tempo di contrastare le aggressioni condividendo la responsabilità per una difesa comune.
Il Maggiore Eric Broyles, coordinatore internazionale del 31st Operations Group ed esaminatore sull’F-16, ha dichiarato che “i partner europei sono la spina dorsale delle esercitazioni Agile Combat Employment. Il successo della missione non si basa solamente sull’infrastruttura dei nostri alleati ma anche sulla nostra visione, l’integrazione tattica e la capacità di costruire rapporti che sono proprio sviluppati in esercitazioni di questo tipo.”
Il Sergente Capo Tom Larson, 31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, ha affermato: “L’ACE (Agile Combat Employment) è una opportunità per noi specialisti dato che possiamo impiegare solamente strumenti ed equipaggiamenti che sono disponibili sul posto. Questo permette di pensare fuori dagli schemi ed attuare metodi innovativi per effettuare i lavori richiesti”.
Galleria
A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 510th Fighter Squadron soars above Amendola Air Base, Italy, during an Agile Combat Employment exercise, Feb. 16, 2021. During the exercise, the 555th and 510th Fighter Squadron executed counter air training with Italian air force F-35 Lightning II. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ericka A. Woolever) 
U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Kyle Senn, 555th Fighter Squadron pilot, pins a warning tag onto an F-16 Fighting Falcon during an Agile Combat Employment exercise at Amendola Air Base, Italy, Feb. 16, 2021. ACE exercises are designed to ensure U.S. Air Forces in Europe, along with allies and partners, are ready for potential short or no-notice contingencies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ericka A. Woolever) 
A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 510th Fighter Squadron takes flight during an Agile Combat Employment exercise at Amendola Air Base, Italy, Feb. 17, 2021. During the exercise, Airmen enhanced their ability to rapidly deploy and operate from remote locations with varying levels of capacity and support. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ericka A. Woolever) 
A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 555th Fighter Squadron lands during an Agile Combat Employment (ACE) exercise at Amendola Air Base, Italy, Feb. 17, 2021. ACE exercises ensure Airmen and aircrews are postured to provide lethal combat power across the spectrum of military operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ericka A. Woolever) 
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman William Hambleton, 31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, inspects the intake of an F-16 Fighting Falcon during an Agile Combat Employment exercise at Amendola Air Base, Italy, Feb. 16, 2021. Hambleton climbed into the intake to check the engine blades for dents and cracks. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ericka A. Woolever) 
U.S. Air Force Maj. Matthew Bender, 555th Fighter Squadron pilot, refuels an F-16 Fighting Falcon during an Agile Combat Employment (ACE) exercise at Amendola Air Base, Italy, Feb. 16, 2021. ACE exercises are designed to ensure U.S. Air Forces in Europe, along with allies and partners, are ready for potential short or no-notice contingencies by allowing forces to operate from locations with varying levels of capacity and support. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ericka A. Woolever) 
U.S. Air Force Maj. Mike Rogers, 555th Fighter Squadron pilot, refuels an F-16 Fighting Falcon during an Agile Combat Employment exercise at Amendola Air Base, Italy, Feb. 16, 2021. The exercise was designed to provide aircrew and support personnel the experience needed to maintain a ready force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ericka A. Woolever)
Immagine di copertina: Two U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 31st Fighter Wing return from offensive counter air training with two Italian air force F-35 Lightning II assigned to the 32° Stormo during an Agile Combat Employment (ACE) exercise at Amendola Air Base, Italy, Feb. 17, 2021. Training with joint and combined allies and partners during ACE events increases the 31st FW lethality and enhances interoperability, allowing our forces to counter military aggression and coercion by sharing responsibility for common defense. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ericka A. Woolever)
