The Italian air force has formally activated its new command structure, which regroups all operational forces in three new major commands. The revised structure comprises an air forces command (CSA) and logistics and training commands. Operational activity is entrusted to a separate air forces operation command
The operational units are controlled by the CSA comprising:
Missile Systems Brigade/1st Aerobrigade, consisting of the 17th Missile Wing with three squadrons of Nike Hercules surface-to-air missiles; Fighter Interceptor Brigade consisting of 4, 5, 9, 36 and 37 Wings and 21 Sqn with Panavia Tornado ADV and F-104 fighters; Fighter bomber/reconnaissance brigade with Tornado IDS and Alenia/Embraer AMX aircraft; Air Support Brigade with Piaggio PD 808s, Sikorsky HH-3F and AB212 helicopters, Alenia G222 light transports and other aircraft; Air Transport Brigade with Lockheed Martin C-130 and McDonnell Douglas DC-9 transports, and, in future, C-130Js; Airspace Brigade, with air traffic control and surveillance radars.The Italian air force is to lose the 65th Missile Group, which operates the Nike Hercules surface-to-air missile, and the 22nd All-Weather Interceptor Squadron, that operates the Lockheed F-104ASA.
Source: Flight International
