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By Robbin Laird

The Italian Air Force leadership saw early on that the F-35 was more than a next generation aircraft – it was a whole different way to look at airpower in the digital age and enabling multi-domain airpower.

They committed to the aircraft and have built a fifth-generation air force. The Italian government committed to building an F-35 plant and maintenance facility in Cameri with a very wide aperture to encompass other members of the F-35 global enterprise. And finally, they re-shaped their training program to shape a way ahead for a fifth generation enabled multi-domain training regime.

In 2022, a new training facility was opened on the island of Sardinia. As Lieutenant General Aurelio Colagrande, Italian Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff, started his presentation to the Williams Foundation seminar in Canberra, Australia in 2022: “We launched a very challenging operational training infrastructure program in Sardinia, an Italian island in the Mediterranean Sea where we have lot of airspace, air to air, air to ground, EW and lots of test ranges and good weather throughout the year.

“Furthermore, in Sardinia, we are setting up our international flight training school where we will train in the phase four advanced training, our future fifth generation pilots. Within the OTI framework, we are investing in connectivity network in order to offer a real effective advanced training.

“And through it, we intend to achieve one of the most challenging objectives, the integration between legacy and new generation weapon system for exploiting the main operational output of the fifth-generation assets that we believe is the ability to be task enablers and force multipliers.”

This training facility is embedded in the Italian fifth generation transition. Symptomatic of this reality is the current head of Air Force training and of the new international center, Brigadier General Edi Turco. A look at his bio highlights his early engagement with the F-35 and his deep understanding of what this new aircraft brings to driving change in air and multi-domain operations.

BGen Edi TURCO serves as Chief of Staff of the Air Education Training Command / 3rd Air Region, and Head of the International Flight Training School (IFTS) Program Office.

BGen TURCO joined the Italian Air Force in 1991 and he graduated at the Air Force Academy in 1995. He is a Master Navigator, Weapon Instructor, with more than 2200 flying hours (2000 of which on Tornado). He has served different combat tours.

BGen Turco spent most of his operational career assigned to the 154th Squadron, 6th Wing in Ghedi (Brescia – Italy) flying, as a WSO, on Tornado aircraft (reconnaissance, conventional and dual role fighter-bomber).

Between 2009 and 2012, BGen Turco was the Air System Requirements Working Group Lead and F-35 Future Requirements Deputy Lead at the JSF Program Office, in Arlington, Virginia (USA).

He, then, was Base/Wing Director of Operations at 6th Wing Ghedi (Italy), after his appointment at the ItAF HQ as Director of F-35 Air Force Integration Office, he commanded the 2nd Wing at Rivolto Air Force Base (Italy) and subsequently he was the Deputy Commander Air Staff Situational Room at the Air Operational Forces Command in Rome (Italy).

Prior to his current assignment, BGen Turco was the Air Attaché at the Embassy of Italy in Washington DC (USA), accredited both to the United States Department of the Air Force and Mexico.

I met with him to discuss the new training center on 12 November 2024. The Italians have created a cutting-edge training center looking beyond airpower muscle memory training to shaping pilots who can think and operate in the changing multi-domain combat environment. It is a very international program with pilots from several nations, including from Asia. Students have come from twelve counties, including Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Sweden, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Singapore, Austria, Netherlands, Hungary and Spain.

Because the training facility is on Sardinia, the combination of live training and be able to operate over water, land and in air-to-air engagements means that the training center pushes the envelope on advanced training, they are clearly positioned to work with the world of unmanned and autonomous systems airborne, land-based or sea based in shaping the 360 capabilities of what I originally labeled the emergence of the three dimensional warrior.

IFTS is located at Italian Air Force base in Decimomannu (Cagliari), and employs an international team of instructor pilots and technical staff, who train students on phase 4 “Lead-In to Fighter Training – LIFT“, the most advanced part of training syllabus, that prepares the way for subsequent deployment on fighter aircraft.

This graphic below from the presentation which the Turco made to me, highlights the physical nature of this facility:

The IFTS was set up as a collaboration between the Italian Air Force and the private sector. The Italian Air Force rewrites the syllabus for training, which is crucial given how dynamic the global combat situation has become. And Leonardo and the Canadian company CAE provided the private sector support in terms of managing the equipment and services for the IFTS. Leonardo and CAE are key players in providing the support for the Live Virtual Constructive systems to support the training regime.

BGen Turco underscored that the syllabus is modular so can be updated rapidly as threats change. He underscored that fifth-generation training was really about getting pilots of whatever aircraft being flown to understand the comprehensive and extended battlespace and to find their place within that battlespace. It is crucial to understand what platforms and payloads are available to deal with the threat envelope.

The M-346 training aircraft is the key element for providing live training but a focal point for bringing the constructive world into the cockpit. As Leonardo described a key aspect of the M-346:

“The M-346 – a twin-engine, tandem-seat aircraft with fully digital flight controls and avionics – is equipped with a fly-by-wire flight control system with quadruple redundancy, a modern human-machine interface with Head-Up Displays (HUD) and Multi-Function Displays (MFD), Hands On Throttle And Stick (HOTAS) controls and in-flight safety features such as the Pilot Activated Attitude Recovery System (PARS). The M-346 can operate in complete autonomy with the aid of its Auxiliary Power Unit (APU).

“The training system features integrated on-board technology to simulate tactical training – the Embedded Tactical Training System (ETTS) – allowing the aircraft to emulate sensors, weapons and Computer Generated Forces (CGF). It also enables pilots to interact in real-time, through Live, Virtual and Constructive (LVC) training that features aircraft in flight (Live), simulators (Virtual) and computer-generated force/threat generated environments (Constructive).

“The system is completed by the Ground Based Training System (GBTS), which consists of various flight and mission simulation systems, multi-media and classroom courses, mission planning and training management systems, and an integrated logistic support (ILS) service that optimises fleet and simulator management for maximum operational use.”

According to BGen Turco, the school is built around its students. The ground-based simulators are available 24/7. This is especially important for international students whose families live in distant time zones, so that they can stay in touch with late night or early morning calls, and then go to the simulators to learn and build their muscle memory,

In short, Italy has established a cutting edge fifth generation training center which drives forward the future of developing air power-enabled multi-domain warfare in a dynamically changing world. And they are doing it with allies from the ground up.

This graphic provided an overview of the IFTS effort:

Brigadier General Edi Turco

Chief of Staff of the Air Education Training Command / 3rd Air Region, and Head of the International Flight Training School (IFTS) Program OfficeItalian Air Force

BGen Edi TURCO serves as Chief of Staff of the Air Education Training Command / 3rd Air Region, and Head of the International Flight Training School (IFTS) Program Office.

BGen TURCO joined the Italian Air Force in 1991 and he graduated at the Air Force Academy in 1995. He is a Master Navigator, Weapon Instructor, with more than 2200 flying hours (2000 of which on Tornado). He has served different combat tours.

BGen Turco spent most of his operational career assigned to the 154th Squadron, 6th Wing in Ghedi (Brescia – Italy) flying, as a WSO, on Tornado aircraft (reconnaissance, conventional and dual role fighter-bomber).

Between 2009 and 2012, BGen Turco was the Air System Requirements Working Group Lead and F-35 Future Requirements Deputy Lead at the JSF Program Office, in Arlington, Virginia (USA).

He, then, was Base/Wing Director of Operations at 6th Wing Ghedi (Italy), after his appointment at the ItAF HQ as Director of F-35 Air Force Integration Office, he commanded the 2nd Wing at Rivolto Air Force Base (Italy) and subsequently he was the Deputy Commander Air Staff Situational Room at the Air Operational Forces Command in Rome (Italy).

Prior to his current assignment, BGen TURCO was the Air Attaché at the Embassy of Italy in Washington DC (USA), accredited both to the United States Department of the Air Force and Mexico.

BGen TURCO is a graduate of the “Joint and Combined Forces Staff College” in Rome.

Featured photo: U.S. Space Force Brig. Gen. Stephen Purdy, right, Space Launch Delta 45 commander, laughs with Italian Air Force Col. Edi Turco, Italian Air Attaché to the United States, at Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Fla., Jan. 27, 2022. Leaders of the Italian Air Force, Navy, and Army visited for CCSFS the launch of the Italian COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation (CSG-2) Earth Observation Satellite aboard the American-made and launched SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The U.S. and Italy share a long heritage of space security cooperation. (U.S. Space Force photo by Senior Airman Thomas Sjoberg)

I had the privilege of visiting Norfolk in the recent past and discussing the coming of the USS Gerald R. Ford with the first commander of Ford and then the commander of Naval Air Force Atlantic, Rear Admiral “Oscar” Meier.

Last month, I had the chance to visit Norfolk once again and to meet with Meier’s successor, Rear Admiral Doug “V8” Verissimo and discuss with him the coming of the first squadron of CMV-22Bs to Norfolk and the evolution of the fleet in the Atlantic, which now includes the Ford carrier.

Naval Air Force Atlantic is the aviation Type Commander (TYCOM) for the United States Naval aviation units operating primarily in the Atlantic under United States Fleet Forces Command. AIRLANT is responsible for the material readiness, administration, training, and inspection of units/squadrons under their command, and for providing operationally ready air squadrons and aircraft carriers to the fleet.

Both the CMV-22B and the Ford carrier bring new capabilities to naval operations in the Atlantic region, and we discussed both during our time together on Oct. 29, 2024.

We started by discussing the challenge of contested logistics and how the coming of the CMV-22B provides significant capabilities to meet this challenge. Not only does the Navy need to deal with contested logistics, but consider this challenge in an environment where the Navy is focused on distributed operations.

There are benefits when the CMV-22 is combined with the Ford. The island on the Ford has been moved towards the end of the deck, freeing up space to which an Osprey can move when it lands for offloading of weapons or supplies, not blocking the EMALS catapults. And there is a fuel capability in that area of the deck which can refuel the Osprey for its departure from the deck as well.

Verissimo also correlated the coming of the Osprey with changes the Navy is working with in regard to its carriers. For example, he underscored that “the future will likely bring smaller more agile weapons to complement the heavier more difficult weapons to transport like TLAMs.” He then argued that this shift to a different weapons stockpile would augment the utility of the CMV-22 supporting weapons re-supply in a contested combat environment.

He argued that there are specific capabilities of the CMV-22B which have a significant impact beyond logistics, namely, personnel support, notably in a medical emergency.

He put it this way: “If I have a medical emergency, I’m not trapping and catapulting the human body that’s already injured. I can softly land and softly take off so I can take care of my people in a medical emergency.”

Throughout much of our discussion, the Admiral emphasized the evolution of the carrier for the new strategic situation and the flexibility it brings to the fight. The assets assigned to the Ford carrier, that contribute to the fight, will change as future payloads and platforms emerge.

He also underscored the unique features of the Ford design, notably the significant enhanced power generation capabilities which enable the ability to use future payloads, weapons and platforms which leverage that enhanced electrical power generation capacity.

The Admiral emphasized that the carrier brings unique capability to a blue water navy, and that the flexibility demonstrated through the life cycle of the Nimitz-class carrier and built into the Ford class is crucial for the fleet to adapt to evolving warfighting operations.

He argued: “The carrier and the carrier strike group is one of the only integrated forces which brings the core seven joint warfighting functions to the fight wherever it is operating. And with the Ford class, and its ability to generate electric power, it enhances those capabilities as well.”

Rear Admiral Douglas Verissimo

Rear Adm. Doug “V8” Verissimo, is a native of Falmouth, Massachusetts. He is a 1987 graduate of Cape Cod Community College with an Associates in Arts and Science. Immediately following graduation, he enlisted with the Naval Aviation Cadet (NAVCAD) Program.

Upon completion of flight training, he earned both his commission and designation as a naval aviator in July 1989. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics from California State University, Fresno, California and a Master of Science in Campaign Planning and Strategy from the Joint Forces Staff College. He is also a graduate of the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program.

His operational assignments include Fist of the Fleet, Fighter Attack Squadron (VFA) 25, catapult and arresting gear officer aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74); department head for the Blue Blasters of VFA-34, command of the Gunslingers of VFA-105; executive officer aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), and commanding officer of USS New Orleans (LPD 18) and USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70).

Verissimo’s shore duty assignments include instructor duty at VFA-125, a demonstration pilot for U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, Blue Angels; executive assistant to Commander, Naval Air Forces Atlantic and Joint Staff J3, where he served as joint force coordination/strategic plans division chief.

Verissimo’s flag tours include deputy director for operations, Operations Team 2 (J3), Commander Carrier Strike Group 9, Director Assessment Division (N81), and Director, Maritime Operations, U.S. Fleet Forces Command.

He assumed his duties as Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic on Aug. 17, 2023.

By Robbin Laird

On 11 November 2024, I was in Rome and meeting with the Air Force Chief of Staff. Lt. General Luca Goretti.

When I entered the building and walked to his office, the memory of my last visit to that office and with then COS Lt General Preziosa flooded into my mind.

My last visit was on September 29, 2015 which was third time I had the opportunity to meet with the Italian Chief of Staff, and to engage in a brisk dialogue on the way ahead for 21st century airpower.

The Italians had made the commitment to become a fifth generation Air Force and unique in Europe they were building a factory to assemble their own F-35s and with F-35 European partners.

So it was a return to a country where I had been engaged in the effort to support the Italian Air Force in its vision, but now NINE years later I was back to see the future efforts of 2015 in terms of the present of 2024.

I can frankly say that this story is dramatic and amazing and underscores that when the foundations for an enterprise are laid effectively, success will follow.

Italy now has the most advanced air force in Europe which has operated with global reach. Italy’s Cameri facility not only assembles more combat aircraft than any other European facility but is the home to heavy maintenance for multiple European air forces and now has the most advanced training facility in Europe for fifth generation airpower.

I watched with Ed Timperlake, the Italian first of flying from Italy to the United States in the midst of winter of 2016.

As I wrote with Ed Timperlake at the time: “On Feb. 5, the Italian Air Force’s first F-35, AL-1 with code “32-01” and markings of the 32 Stormo Wing landed at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, at the end of the JSF’s first ever transatlantic flight.

“The aircraft was piloted by “Ninja,” an Italian Air Force test pilot, belonging to the Reparto Sperimentale Volo (Test Wing) from Pratica di Mare, and who had successfully completed his initial F-35 flight training at Luke AFB in November 2015.

“To put this in perspective, the pilot had only 50 flight hours of F-35 flying experience.

“And the Lightning II which Ninja flew across the North Atlantic in winter had only 15 flight hours on before he took off on his historic flight. 32-01was the first plane to came off of the Italian assembly line at Cameri Italy.

“And this was done in the middle of winter, flying in and out of cloud layers over the turbulent North Atlantic against 120-knot headwinds. It was remarkable flying.”

Ed and I were two of the four outsiders there at Pax River. Not exactly a rush of interest. And from the lack of stories about the past nine years in Italy’s journey to shaping the most significant fifth generation enterprise in Europe is probably not surprising.

We have a lot of big talkers in the discussion about the future of European defense. The Italian Air Force and MoD and the current government certainly have a sense of the importance of creating actual capability for Europe’s defense.

It is a journey which the incoming Trump Administration might notice in its desires to see greater European defense capability – build industrial alliances and respect European sovereignty is not a bad formula for shaping a way ahead. It might be noted that the current Minister of Defence in Italy, earlier in his career, was a key player in ensuring that the Cameri facility became a successful reality.

Lt. General Goretti: “When we started our F-35 program, our focus was upon how we could build an effective enterprise which would significantly advance our capabilities. It was not a narrow approach on just buying a new platform. It was a new way of thinking. A new way of working that was required and provided us with an opportunity to shape something really new, dynamic and effective”

He then underscored that they did this in stages of building from the initial air wing and lessons learned and then applied them to the next and so on. And from the beginning, the F-35 was not viewed as a niche aircraft but a foundational element for rethinking the way ahead for Italian defence approaches.

When I was last there, there was a lot of tension among the services about the impact of the F-35, but the aircraft is a multi-domain flying combat system, and it is now having an impact on overall Italian defence thinking.

The recent engagement of the Italian Air Force and Navy with Australia is a case in point. Not only did the Air Force participate in the RAAF-led Pitch Black exercise, but the Italian Navy was engaged with its air wing as well operating off the Cavour. Indeed, what Pitch Black showed was the global reach of the Italian Air Force which Goretti discussed in some detail. For example, he noted that the Italian Air Force deployed to Japan with their F-35s while deploying other aircraft for exercises in the United States. They were the first to deploy F-35s to Iceland for air defence and to Estonia as the first F-35s to be deployed on the Russian border.

One source noted: “From August 6 to 8 2024, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF, Koku Jieitai) and the Italian Air Force (ITAF, Aeronautica Militare) conducted their second consecutive bilateral exercise, dubbed Rising Sun 24, at Misawa Air Base in northern Japan.

“The training focused on enhancing tactical skills through the integration of advanced aircraft, including the JASDF’s F-35A and the ITAF’s F-35A, EF2000 Typhoon, G-550 CAEW and KC-767 tanker. In a further display of strengthened military cooperation, the United States Air Force (USAF) also participated in the exercise, contributing to the deepening of trilateral operational ties between Japan, Italy, and the U.S. The joint activities focused on interoperability between air units, with an emphasis on refining strategic capabilities in aerial combat and refueling operations.”

In addition to the Italian Air Force’s operational development, the Cameri facility is assembling F-35s in Europe for Italy and several European partners. And the facility is operating as a significant maintenance facility as well for allied air forces.

We then moved to the third pillar of the Italian fifth generation enterprise – the first being operational capability and the second the Cameri sustainment capability – the creation of fifth generation airpower capability. In 2022, the Italians established a new training facility in Sardinia, the International Flight Training School (IFTS). This facility has been created from the ground up for the Italians and the allies who are coming to the new facility to train together in shaping new ways to operate in a multi-domain environment.

As Lt. General Goretti put it: “The attitude of a modern air force is to look around, see the change in of the geopolitical situation, consider what you have in your inventory, and then try to think and reconsider the way of training to maximize your mission success. To follow this path, we saw the necessity of building a new kind of training facility.

“We decided upon working with our Italian company Leonardo, to establish a new international flight training school. After only 16 months from concept to execution, we held our first class at the new training facility. We have more than 13 allied air forces already engaged in our program. This is a significant achievement which we have been able to do in only two years since the flight school opened in 2022.”

We concluded by looking back at the journey since 2015. As Lt. General Goretti eloquently underscored:

“You need to have a vision. You need to consider the opportunities and go for them despite the many, many issues that will be against you. We were lucky enough that our Air Force chiefs throughout this period were committed to the journey. Now Cameri is an awesome place where you can easily see the commitment of a nation.

“And everybody who visits the FACO, they note what a huge program Italy has built. And the lesson learned is that if you are positive want to succeed on a key program and you have to fight in order to keep the program alive without any hesitation.”

Also, see the following: 

Shaping a Way Ahead for the Networked Integrated Force: An Italian Air Force Perspective

Featured photo: Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Stephen Chappell, DSC, CSC, OAM conducts a gift exchange with the Itatlian Air Force Chief of Staff, Lieutanant General Luca Goretti for bilateral engagements during Exercise Pitch Black 2024 in Darwin. Credit: Australian Department of Defence. July 30, 2024.