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Operation Locusta

BETA VERSION

Following the invasion and annexation of Kuwait by Iraq, on September 25, 1990, the Italian Government sent eight multi-role Panzer Tornado IDS fighters (plus two in reserve) belonging to the 6th, 36th and 50th Wing in the Persian Gulf. Operation Desert Shield, which were deployed at the Al-Dhafra air base near Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.These planes formed the "Autonomous Flight Department of the Italian Air Force in the Arabian Peninsula". The Department's staff, initially made up of 239 men, including twelve Carabinieri of the Air Force for supervisory needs and military police, was subsequently brought to 314 elements.The risk of Italian aircraft was part of the international security system implemented by UN Security Council Resolution 678.The use of Italian aircraft in the Desert Storm operation represented the first operational use in combat missions of Italian Air Force aircraft after the end of the Second World War.During the 42 days of war, Italian fighter fighters made 226 sorties for a total of 589 flight hours. Mario Arpino was head of the air coordination unit during the war operations in Saudi Arabia from October 1990 to March 1991.Added to this commitment is the activity carried out by the RF104-G tactical reconnaissance aircraft (for a total of 384 sorties and 515 flight hours) operating in Turkey under the NATO AMF (ACE Mobile Force NATO). This cell had been resettled on the Anatolian peninsula on 6 January 1991, against a decision in NATO, to protect a possible Iraqi attempt to widen the conflict, and the support of transport aircraft, which carried out 244 missions for 4156 hours of flight, ensuring logistical support for national air and naval units as well as the evacuation of nationals from areas at risk.The RF104-G returned to Italy on March 11, 1991.The Tornadoes instead returned to the air base of Gioia del Colle March 15, 1991, two weeks after the end of military operations. The return of Italian fighter planes was welcomed by a ceremony attended by the Minister of Defense Virginio Rognoni, the Chief of General Staff of the General Defense Domenico Nardini, and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force General Stelio Nardini.
by Roby7979