U.S. Marines with Marine all Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA(AW)) 224 conduct pre-flight inspections on an F/A-18D Hornet assigned to VMFA(AW)-224, prior to departure for Trident Juncture 18 at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina, Oct. 15, 2018.
MCAS Beaufort
October 15, 2018
Rome 17 December 2018
Two F-2000 Eurofighter jets have scrambled to intercept a civilian aircraft – belonging to an Australian airline and flying from Crete to Spain- that had lost radio contact. Communication was interrupted while the aircraft was crossing Italy’s airspace.
The two Air Force interceptor aircraft from 37th Wing-Trapani, having established that no emergency conditions existed and restored communication, resumed their surveillance task.
The scramble order was issued by Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC) –Torrejon (Spain), the NATO headquarters in charge of surveillance in that area, while the Italian Air Force Air Defence and Surveillance System’s Operations Room provided control over the operation.
Ensuring continued surveillance of the national airspace is one of the tasks implemented by the Italian Air Force.
Control over the Air Defence System is a NATO task. Surveillance over the airspace south of the Alps, from the Canary Islands to Turkey and from the Azores Islands to Romania, was assigned by the Alliance to CAOC -Torrejon.
When an emergency is detected, the national Air Operations Centre (AOC) is in charge of organizing the air defence service by implementing a fundamental continued surveillance task.
When a threat against the Italian airspace is detected,- e.g. when a civilian aircraft implements unusual manoeuvers while crossing the national airspace- AOC-IT takes back control of interceptor aircraft entrusted to NATO for the subsequent counter-action.
Marines are seen during an air assault in support of Trident Juncture 18, Oct. 31, 2018.
Trident Juncture allowed Marines to function as a Marine Air Ground Task Force in a unique and challenging environment.
The Marines departed from USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) via a CH-53E Super Stallion and showcased the 24th Marine expeditionary Units quick response. Dirico is a section leader with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th MEU.
U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Margaret Gale
November 9, 2018
Various shots of EA-18Gs during Red Flag Operations at Nellis AFB, Nevada.
NELLIS AFB, NV, UNITED STATES
01.04.2019
Marines assigned to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit board an MV-22B Osprey, attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 365 (Reinforced), aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) while conducting operations in the Alvund Fjord during Trident Juncture 2018, Oct. 31, 2018.
Also shown are Sea Hawks, CH-53Es, and an air cushioned landing craft operating during the exercise.
Trident Juncture 2018 was a NATO-led exercise designed to certify NATO response forces and develop interoperability among participating NATO Allies and partner nations.
Credit: US Navy
November 2, 2018
U.S. Marines with 2nd Aircraft Wing talk about their cold weather experience during Exercise Trident Juncture 18, Norway, Nov 5., 2018.
The exercise enhances the U.S. and NATO Allies’ and partners’ abilities to work together collectively to conduct military operations under challenging conditions.
Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 366 is with Marine Aircraft Group 29, 2nd MAW. Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 is with MAG 26, 2nd MAW.
11.05.2018
Video by Lance Cpl. Paige Stade
MV-22B Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 is staged on the flight line during Trident Juncture 18 at Vaernes Air Base, Norway, Nov. 1, 2018.
The exercise enhanced the U.S. and NATO Allies’ and partners’ abilities to work together collectively to conduct military operations under challenging conditions.
U.S. Marine Corps photos by Lance Cpl. Cody J. Ohira)
November 6, 2018
Highlights of missions and key accomplishments across the Air Force Materiel Command footprint during 2018.
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, OH, UNITED STATES
12.17.2018