The objective of the exercise, called "Dardo 2", was to achieve and increase the Terrestrial Defense Operational Support (SODT) personnel of the Forces Protection Group the operational capacity by means of a training activity in the QRF assets ( Quick Reaction Force), Internal Motorized Patrol (Patrol to ensure the surveillance of sensitive points within the installation), POA (Advanced Observation Point) in order to be able to respond promptly and effectively to the challenges that the current national and international context in the continuous process of adaptation of the armed force.
The "Dardo 2" developed in two main phases and involved around a hundred military personnel.
The first of training and integration between the local component and the Riflemen during which briefings were given to carry out the activities and training in FIBUA (Fight In Building-Up Area) and C-IED (improvised explosives) techniques. During this phase the SODT staff of the 41 ° Stormo was indoctrinated and inserted into the FCA assets to carry out the training exercises envisaged by the next phase.
During the second phase, always in close contact with the Field Operations Room (SOC), with a command and control function for Internal Security activities, created specifically to ensure radio links between the various structures identified, various events were simulated such as package bomb, intruder, suspicious vehicle, complex attack, with the precise intention of activating the capabilities implemented by the FCA and the GPF. Tasks of deterrence, contrast, reinforcement, defense and surveillance have been assigned to the deployed assets in order to avert any type of threat on the sensitive objectives established.
The air base and the 41 ° antisom flock of Sigonella, both commanded by Colonel Vincenzo Sicuso, supported all the activity of the exercise.
The mission of the 41 ° flock consists in countering the underwater and naval threat and in providing the long-range search and rescue service to protect the main maritime routes in order to keep potentially hostile underwater and surface naval units under control. In addition to these activities, there is the control of mercantile traffic in the Mediterranean, as part of the "post 11 September" operations against international terrorism, and support for activities aimed at controlling migration flows from the southern quadrants of the Mediterranean,
The institutional task of the Air Riflemen is to protect men and vehicles of the Air Force in Italy and in Operations Outside National Borders (OFCN) with all the means, capabilities and assets they are equipped with (VTLM - Lince; Assetto FAC - Forward Air Controller; CBRN capability - Chemical Bacteriological Radiological Nuclear; IEDD capability - Improvised Explosive Device Disposal, etc. The Remotely Piloted Aircraft (APR) Strix-c, an additional weapon system which the Air Force has equipped itself with, it has implemented the structure of the protection of the forces in the Afghan theater.
Source: 41 ° Stormo A / S - Sigonella - 1 ° mar. Savoca Carmelo
