Italy Invades Green Flag

The Italian Air Force for the first time participated in Green Flag, sending nearly 180 airmen and 10 AMX aircraft to Nellis AFB, Nev., for close air support training Aug. 9-20. Capt. Davide Dentemaro, an AMX pilot, praised Green Flag’s realistic conditions. He said: “You have actual cities and villages with people, just like in Iraq and Afghanistan. … You don’t simulate anything. … You see friendlies and enemies. It’s the best realistic training.” Despite being their first Green Flag, Lt. Col. John Walker, 549th Combat Training Squadron commander at Nellis, said the Italian pilots are familiar with US flying operations, since most attended Euro-NATO jet training in the US. Walker said they “are extremely focused on the details, and when they’re not flying, they’re still involved learning and observing; they’re true professionals. (Nellis Aug. 25 report by Capt. Teresa Sullivan)