A winning and above all effective synergy has been expressed by our Armed Forces on the occasion of the worldwide health emergency caused by the epidemic of the coronavirus.
In a press note it Defense General Staff announced the words of thanks from the Italian Defense Chief of Staff, General Enzo Vecciarelli: "My thanks go to the men and women of the Armed Forces who, without any savings, night and day, they have worked in the service of their compatriots who have returned and who are still returning from China to an emergency situation worldwide. In particular, I appreciated the collaboration with other sections of the state, with which the air transport operations were conducted, including the necessary arrangements for assistance implemented in flight on the KC767 of theair Force and in Italy at the facilities of the Cecchignola and the Celio Polyclinic of theArmy".
In close coordination with the civil protection and with the other departments through the COI - Defense Summit Operational Command - flights dedicated to the return of Italian citizens stuck in Wuhan, the Chinese city most affected by the health emergency linked to the spread of the new coronavirus, were organized in recent days. Medical personnel, nurses and adequate medical equipment were employed on board the military aircraft to deal with possible cases of infection and to ensure safe transportation.
Defense operated flights
The first flight, which took place on February 2nd with a KC767A supplied with the 14th Wing of the Air Force, he brought home the first 56 Italians who were in the city of Wuhan. Once arrived in Italy, after the first medical screening by the Health Team, made up of doctors and nurses of the Air Force and specialized personnel of theSpallanzani Hospital, were transported and subjected to an observation period at the Army Olympic Sports Center at the military town of Cecchignola.
On February 9th, always an Air Force KC767A took off from Brize Norton (England) with eight Italians, who had returned from Wuhan (CHINA), and then landed in Pratica di Mare. The compatriots, after the first medical checks, were transported by military vehicle to the Celio military hospital, where they will spend a period of health surveillance by the Army medical staff, as required by the health protocol.
Currently the next return of another compatriot from China is planned on an Air Force KC-767A aircraft, set up to ensure transportation in bio-containment with specialized medical personnel, doctors and on board Army and Air Force nurses, coordinated by a team from the Spallanzani Hospital.
Army
Set up at the Army Olympic Sports Center:
- 18 single rooms - 4 double rooms - 5 triple rooms - 3 quintuple rooms for repatriated compatriots;
- 1 health center consisting of 1 medical officer, 2 nurses non-commissioned officers and 1 health worker
At the Celio military hospital, the following have been arranged:
- 1 Single Room - 2 double- 1 triple
- 1 health center consisting of 1 medical officer, 2 nurses non-commissioned officers and 1 health worker
The Army has made available 2 ambulances always present at the two military structures. In addition, essential services are ensured such as catering even for intolerant people, sanitation service, washing machines and dryers as well as all the material for personal hygiene.
aeronautics
THE 767C STORMO KC-14A
It derives from the commercial aircraft Boeing 767-200 "Extended Range". The KC-767 Tanker / Transport guarantees high flight and load autonomy, combined with the ability to refuel in flight, both as tanker and receiver. The KC-767A can refuel using the telescopic boom system or the wing and central pods equipped with special baskets. Refueling systems are interoperable with Italian and allied aircraft; in addition, the KC-767A is capable of being refueled to extend its range.
The aircraft can be set up in three different configurations (combi, cargo and fullpax), with a payload of up to 25.000 kg. In the cargo configuration 19 standard NATO military pallets can be loaded; in the fullpax (passengers) configuration, up to 200 people can be checked in with their luggage; in the combi configuration, finally, up to 100 passengers and ten NATO standard military pallets can be loaded.
The KC-767A of the 14th Wing is one of the few technically capable of supplying all types of military aircraft in the world and with it Italy is currently one of the leading countries in the field of in-flight refueling. Bio-containment transport is a capacity that only Italy and England have in Europe.
Description: Length: 48,51 m - wingspan: 47,57 m - height: 15,85 m - propulsion: 2 General Electric (27.306 kg x2) - maximum take-off weight: 180.000 kg - maximum fuel on board: 70 tons - operating tangency : 13.000 m - hourly range: 14 hours - range: 11.500 km - cruising speed: mach 0.8 (about 900 km / h).