Joe Campion details the rotary contingent of the Italian Air Force
15° Stormo is the home of search-and-rescue (SAR) for the AM. Its HQ is located at Cervia AB, with detached units located at 81° Centro Addestramento Equipaggi (CAE; Crew Training Center), the 83° SAR. The squadron’s units can be seen at four other AM bases: the 80° SAR at Decimomannu AB, the 82° SAR at Trapani AB, the 84° SAR at Gioia del Colle AB and the 85° SAR at Pratica di Mare AB.
In 2022, 15° Stormo carried out more than 80 rescue missions, involving 200 flying hours and saving the lives of 55 people. On top of SAR, 30 missions lasting 70 flying hours were spent on firefighting missions in the same year.
On January 2012, the first Leonardo HH-139A (MM81796 ‘15-40’) entered service with 15° Stormo. The initial fleet, made up of 13 helicopters, became operational in March 2013.
In 2021, the fleet was increased with the arrival of the HH-139B – this saw the number of helicopters in service reach 30. Compared to the HH-139A, the HH-139B is equipped with a double winch and a mission console that allows better management of the onboard equipment during SAR missions. Finally, the HH-139B has been updated with the latest generation avionics and onboard sensors,…
