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US, Italian troops conduct battalion-sized air assault training operation


The United States Army has announced that the 1st Cavalry Brigade from Fort Hood, Texas has joined the Italian Brigata Parachutiti Parachute Brigade “FOLGORE,” or “FOLGORE,” to complete an air assault training mission. largest in the history of the parachute brigade.

“This is the first time ‘FOLGORE’ has conducted such a large exercise abroad,” explained Italian Army Captain Matteo Gentile of Brigata Parachutiti “FOLGORE”. in our exercise so that we can coordinate and interact with our allies and a very important part of the exercise to validate our ability in this operation.”

Air attack is a military technique used with vertical lift vehicles to maximize the value of a surprise shock to destroy or neutralize an enemy. It is often used in areas that are difficult to penetrate because of topography or other limiting factors and maximizes the ability to capture and hold those critical areas.

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“This training event is a great opportunity to continue to strengthen our interoperability, understand each other’s systems and processes, and prepare us to fight together,” said US Army Major. Ky Dan Huff, foreign exchange officer assigned to Brigata Parachutiti’ FOLGORE explains. ‘ “Special Task Force ‘FOLGORE’ is thrilled to have the opportunity to practice targeted air attack operations with partner forces on such unique terrain.”

Two US Army CH-47 Chinooks and four UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters assigned to “Air Cav” transported approximately 400 Italian paratroopers from an isolated location near the Krivolak Training Area, North Macedonia arrives at a landing site near opposition forces (OPFOR) nearby Skopje.

Detailed joint mission planning for the event begins approximately 96 hours prior to implementation, requiring pilots, crew, and operations planners to rapidly build trust and flexibility between units. taste.

The units conducted a detailed and purposeful conceptual exercise (ROC) led by Task Force Lobos of the 2-227 General Support Aviation Battalion (GSAB), 1st Airborne Brigade. . This allows all participants the opportunity to visualize the training event and work through any detected friction points prior to implementation.

As the paratroopers moved to the pick-up zone (PZ) high up in the hills of North Macedonia, they contacted the pathfinders of the UK’s 16th Assault Brigade Combat Team and the UK’s 16th Assault Brigade Combat Team. fight of the 1st Aviation Brigade to effectively take the stage to receive US Army helicopters.

When the plane landed, the navigation officer and the helicopter crew chief used hand and arm signals to notify the Italian paratroopers to begin loading each aircraft. Speed ​​is key to making an unsuccessful road attack mission, but the safety of everyone involved is always a top priority.

After the doors closed, the 20-minute journey to the landing zone (LZ) began.

Soldiers on the ground at each location used field communications equipment to approach and coordinate with the pilots during the training event. The Italian army on the ground secured the helipad and established the conditions for the air raid.

US Army Major Victor Rodriguez of Task Force Lobos explains: “Time, coordination, and swift actions on target are the hallmarks of a successful strike and beyond that a sign of success. Well trained team. “It has been an honor and pleasure to witness and participate in the rapid growth of this multinational team. I believe all members of this exercise can say that we have reached a satisfactory level of shared understanding.”

After the plane touched the landing pad, the paratroopers quickly moved and established perimeter security around the battlefield. No matter how hot it was outside or how tired they were, Italian soldiers displayed their maximum military might as they carried out tactical maneuvers around the landing zone.

Both units described the training event as a resounding success.

“Working with the Italian special forces was a great experience. Conducting an air attack is always complicated, but to execute it on this scale requires certainty about the terrain that will work best in planning both ground and air forces. aviation task force”. Lieutenant Colonel Brad Deloach, commander of Task Force Lobos, 2-227 GSAB. “This is an air strike that we will never forget.”

Exercise Rapid Response 2022 is an annual multinational exercise that will take place in Eastern Europe, the High Arctic, the Baltics and the Balkans from 2 to 20 May 2022. It aims to showcase forces. Trusted militaries in Europe and Africa and enhanced combat readiness by building air interoperability with Allies and Partners and integrating joint service partnerships.



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