Since mid-June, more than 40 Eurofighter Typhoons belonging to the German, Italian and Austrian Air Forces have deployed to Decimomannu airbase, in Italy, for training activities in the large training ranges surrounding Sardinia island.
Decimomannu is the home of the Air Weapons Training Installation (AWTI) established 55 years ago by the NATO partnership of Italy, Germany, Great Britain and Canada. The AWTI includes an Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation (ACMI) range where air-to-air missions and Dissimilar Air Combat Training are remotely monitored and recorded. It also has an air-to-ground bombing range at Capo Frasca, where pilots can train for delivering both conventional and smart weaponry.
Currently, the base is mainly used by aircraft belonging to the Italian and German Air Forces. But it often hosts aircraft of other air militaries involved in training campaigns and multinational exercises.
From Jun. 12 to 26, the German Luftwaffe deployed 23 Typhoons (including four two-seaters) from Taktisches Luftwaffengeschwader 73 “Steinhoff” squadron. Some 8 Typhoons are still operating from “Deci.”
Along with the GAF Typhoons, the air forces deployed two A-4 Skyhawks (N431FS white and N262WL camo) and two Learjets (Learjet 31A and Learjet 35A) to support the firing training of the Eurofighters.
The Germans also conducted Combat Air Patrol, air interception, and aerial combat training, operating along with the Italian Typhoons.
From June 12 to July 3, the Italian Air Force deployed 13 Typhoons belonging to the 4°, 36° and 37° Stormo Wing to receive air-to-air combat training.
This was not the first time the Italian Air Force simultaneously deployed all its currently equipped squadrons to Deci. Last year, several units took advantage of the ACMI range to improve their skills in the air defense field.
Five Austrian Typhoons are currently based at Deci. The aircraft, belonging to the Austrian Air Surveillance Wing from Zeltweg, arrived on July 9.
The Aviationist contributor Alessandro Caglieri has visited the airbase several times during the last few weeks, and took all of the photographs in this post.
All images by Alessandro Caglieri
