In a highly intricate logistical endeavor, the Italian Air Force is set to undertake a joint training mission in Japan, featuring the deployment of various military aircraft, including four F-35s. The training exercise is scheduled to take place from the 4th to the 8th of August at the Komatsu air base in Japan, where the Italian Air Force and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force will collaborate closely to enhance their tactical skills and foster mutual understanding. For the Italian Air Force, this mission represents a crucial test of their command and control network, as well as their expeditionary capability. The deployment, commencing at the end of July, demands meticulous planning and coordination to project, support, and operate assets in a distant theater.
Italy’s aircraft lineup for the mission is diverse, comprising Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II 5th generation fighters, Boeing KC-767A military aerial refueling tanker and transport aircraft, CAEW (Conformal Airborne Early Warning) G-550, and Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules tactical transport aircraft. The primary objective of this training activity is to bolster the defensive cooperation and skills of both Air Forces involved. It is an integral part of the broader partnership between Italy and Japan, which includes an agreement for the training of student pilots at the International Flight Training School (IFTS) based in Decimomannu, Italy, further strengthening the ties between the two nations.
