F-35B: rapid refueling exercise with ALARP system at the Pantelleria airport detachment

(To air Force)
24/12/24

In the past few weeks, a training activity on the ability to Air Landed Aircraft Refueling Point (ALARP) for the advanced refueling of tactical aircraft, in which F-35B assets of the Italian Air Force took part.

In particular, the event focused on the operational regeneration of two F-35B aircraft, which, once landed at the Pantelleria airport – which in this case simulated a so-called “austere” base, i.e. not suitable for conventional take-off flight operations – and with their engines still running, performed ground refueling, technically known as the “Hot Pit”, and then quickly took off to continue their operational mission.

The activity was carried out under the coordination of the Air Team Command - 1st RA of Milan of the Italian Air Force, with the participation of assets and personnel from the 32nd Wing of Amendola, which also guaranteed maintenance activities, assistance to the aircraft and cross-service, of the 46th air brigade of Pisa with KC-130J tanker equipment, the 3rd wing of Villafranca for activities connected to the refueling operations and of the 16th wing of Martina Franca which guaranteed the necessary security framework through the air riflemen.

This scenario of operations allows you to take full advantage of the features Short Takeoff of the F-35B aircraft and to practice in peacetime, according to the train as you fight concept, on the use of ground refueling procedures. The training activity also allowed to practice the NATO concept called Agile Combat Employment (ACE), an operational maneuver scheme designed to improve the resilience and survivability of aerospace power, that is, the ability to move from a base and regenerate its air operational capacity in geographically dispersed locations, and then continue to conduct the assigned mission, that is, to be resilient and capable of generating operational readiness from the sky in any circumstance.

The development of this NATO operational concept, which through the dispersion of assets reduces the risk of having air resources concentrated in a single location, determines a freedom of action and operational flexibility that allows the Armed Forces to continue to conduct their mission even in the presence of threats and increases the flexibility of air operations, as aircraft can be rapidly repositioned to respond to changing operational needs, with minimal support.