The meeting, of international level, is dedicated to the study and analysis of CAS operations (Close Air Support), many issues have been addressed, from the formation of the FAC / JTAC (Forward Air Controller / Joint Tactical Air Controller), to the matured operational experiences and lessons learned (lessons learned) in the various operating theaters.
General Giunchi focused his intervention on the current skills and abilities of the Aerocooperation School, as the main national institute for the training and updating of the FACs, presenting the adopted training and training process, and the future challenges to which the school it is opening up, with the "internationalization" of its courses.
In particular, the commander of the Guidonia Aircooperation school underlined how "in the specific field of aircooperation, thanks to the skills acquired and the peculiar characteristics of the entire training process - recently certified by the NATO-FST (FAC Standardization Team) of Allied Air Command (AIRCOM) - the School of Aerocooperation is the only national authority, designated by the Defense Staff, to issue the certification and qualification of the FACs and aims to become, with the opening to the armed forces of allied and friendly countries, a point of reference not only national ".
The entire process, in fact, designed to deal with subsequent modules, provides for the attendance of specific military English courses held at the language schools of the Italian army and the military air force; “familiarization” flights for all personnel in training, to better understand the pilot's perspective during CAS operations; specific and complex joint exercises, in realistic operating environments, with the use of piloted and remote-controlled flight arrangements; the use of a specific simulator based on the GFT (Game for Training) training concept, which, widely adopted also in other operating sectors, such as pilot training and training, allows a wide and diversified choice of realistic settings and operating conditions and a high cost reduction.
The Aerocooperation School is the military inter-agency of specialized training and technical-operative value in the field of interpretation of remote sensing images (aerial and satellite) and in that of aeroterrestre and aeronavale cooperation. The courses held at the Aerocooperation School are open , in addition to the military personnel of the Armed Forces, also to personnel external to the Defense Administration and to the military personnel of NATO and of the countries participating in the international Partnership for Peace program (PfP - Partnership for Peace), with prior authorization from the General Staff Defense.
Source: PIO School of Aerocooperation, Maj. Antonio Caliandro
