Afghanistan: the helicopter component commander changes
The Mangusta Helicopters of the Italian contingent in Afghanistan have reached the 13.000 flight hours in more than 7.000 missions
Yesterday at "Camp Arena" there was the ceremony to change the Command of the "Fenice" Task Group of the Italian contingent in Afghanistan. In the presence of the Commander of the Train Assist and Advise Command West (TAAC-W), Brigadier General Giovanni Parmiggiani, Lieutenant Colonel Daniele Mantoani, of the 7 ° "Vega" Regiment of the Army Aviation (AVES) of Rimini, sold the Command of the helicopter component to Lieutenant Colonel Walter Moncada, of the 5 ° Regiment AVES "Rigel" stationed in Casarsa della Delizia (PN).
At the end of their mandate, the Blue Basques of the “Fenice” Task Group, based on 7 ° AVES “Vega” Regiment, reached the important milestone of 13.000 flight hours for AH-129D “Mangusta” helicopters.
The characteristics of the Mangustas, used as a support for fire, escort and protection at advanced bases, convoys, personnel and national and international structures, have always proved to be fundamental in every type of operation in Afghanistan: first in the context of the International Security Assistance Force mission (ISAF) and later, from 1 January 2015, within the framework of Resolute Support Mission (RS).
Army Air Force personnel also operate with UH-90 tactical transport aircraft and with the Tactical Unmanned Air Vehicle “Shadow” 200 RQ-7C, a system capable of providing, to the supported units, an air reconnaissance and surveillance capability day / night meeting the needs of Expeditionary, Combat Capabilities and Force Protection.
The helicopter assets also provide personnel search and rescue capabilities (Personal Recovery), making use of qualified personnel of the 66 ° "Trieste" Air Infantry Regiment, and of medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), with a medical and nursing team able to operate in the third dimension.
The "Fenice" Task Group is the only rotary-wing component of the TAAC-West of Herat, currently the "Pozzuolo del Friuli" Cavalry Brigade.