At the Alghero (SS) airport detachment of the Italian Air Force, the rapid refueling activity took place on 6 October for two F-35B aircraft, one of which was supplied to the 32nd wing of Amendola (FG) and the other at the Marina di Grottaglie (TA) aircraft station, in the role of receiver aircraft with engines running and pilot on board refueled by a KC-130J aircraft of the 46th air brigade of Pisa, in the role of Thoughts.
The exercise involved the simulation of the landing of two STOVL (Short Take Off and Vertical Landing) aircraft, with short take off and vertical landing capabilities on short or damaged runways, in an isolated area without stable refueling facilities. The ALARP system, which thanks to the direct withdrawal of fuel from the tanks of a KC-130J is capable of refueling up to four aircraft simultaneously, represents one of the expeditionary capabilities expressed by the Air Force which allow rapid refueling for flight units employed in isolated areas far from the mother base or in rather complex operational contexts.
The refueling operations were carried out by qualified "ALARP operator" personnel from the 3rd wing of the Verona Air Force, while a team of "Air Riflemen" from the 16th "Force Protection" wing of Martina Franca (TA) ensured the security framework of the area during the operation.
Also participating in the activity were personnel from the 6th wing of Ghedi (BS), Air Force and Navy specialists on the F-35B aircraft from the Amendola and Grottaglie bases, an emergency firefighting team from the 32nd wing of Amendola which supported the specialists of the Alghero detachment and the operators and vehicles of the Fire Brigade stationed at the civil airport of Alghero.
The AM airport detachment of Alghero, located in the military area of Alghero airport, dependent on the experimental and standardization department of Decimomannu aerial shooting and part of the AM logistics command, ensures logistical support to passing military aircraft, the implementation of social protection tasks in favor of members of the armed forces, the carrying out of survival courses at sea aimed at those attending the normal courses of the Air Force Academy and familiarization on survival at sea for those attending the military school Giulio Douhet.
