On January 28, 2021, personnel from the 32nd wing and the Experimental Flight Unit, deployed on Decimomannu airport, conducted a mission with two F-35As and one F-35B in the configuration known in jargon as "Beast Mode", for release of inert armament at the Experimental and Joint Jumping Training Range. of Quirra (PISQ).
The mission, carried out in the continuation of the operational training activities and the continuous OT&E (Operational Test and Evaluation) activity of the 5th generation weapon systems, allowed to verify the simultaneous release of laser-guided weaponry from F-35A and F-35B, as well as the first opportunity for the F-35B variant to practice the release of GBU-12 armament. The activity was conducted during the redeployment of a component of the 13th flight group of the 32nd wing at the Decimomannu base, to verify for the first time the ability of the weapon system and personnel to operate in "Split Ops" , or simultaneously and at sustained rhythms on Main Operating Base (MOB) and Deployment Operating Base (DOB). The success of the activity was possible thanks to the teamwork of men and women from the various departments involved and the careful coordination of operations.
The 32 ° stormo, based in Amendola (Foggia), is one of the flight departments of the Air Force dependent on the Rome Air Team Command, through the Milan Combat Force Command. First department in Europe to operate with the F-35A aircraft which, since March 2018, has been integrated into the National Air Defense, contributing to the defense of the Italian skies with specific operational capabilities and latest generation technology.
After achieving the Initial Operational Capability (IOC) in 2018, from 2019 it participates in NATO Air Policing operations outside national borders. Since February 2020, the 32nd wing is the only department on the international scene that jointly uses both F-35A (CTOL) and F-35B (STOVL) contributing, with the 5th generation aircraft, to the capacity expeditionary of the Armed Force. Furthermore, using the Remotely Piloted Aircraft MQ-1C and MQ9-A, it carries out Intelligence Surveillance Target Acquisition Recoinnissance (ISTAR), both national and coalition. Through MB-339 aircraft he completes the training of APR pilots to maintain an adequate level of training on traditional piloted aircraft.
Il joint experimental and training polygon of Salto di Quirra and the employee detachment of Capo San Lorenzo constitute a single operational area for the execution of advanced training and experimentation activities, which allow the Armed Forces and national and foreign industrial realities to test, test, experiment and innovate the new systems used by Defense in the interest of national security and to achieve the objectives of the country system.
