Italy’s ‘Gladiator’ task force concludes NATO duty in Romania

Italy’s Task Force ‘Gladiator’ successfully completed their eight-month NATO enhanced Air Policing mission in Romania, celebrated with a ceremony at Mihail Kogalniceanu airport on 3 August.

Among those in attendance at this notable ceremony were Lieutenant General Achille Cazzaniga, Head of the Operations Department of the Italian Joint Operational Command (COVI), and Mrs. Simona Cojocaru, Romania’s Secretary of State for Defence.

Both figures highlighted the demanding nature of the Air Policing phase.

Lt. General Achille Cazzaniga was quoted as saying to the members of the Italian Task Force, “It was a demanding and very formative mission both from a personal and from a professional point of view. Bring home the experience gained, pass on the lessons learned to those who have not had this opportunity and be bearers of the highest values of the Air Force, as we have been doing for 100 years now.” He also expressed his gratitude to Col. Massara, Commander of the TFA-R Gladiator, for his invaluable contribution during the mission.

Between 1 December 2022 and 31 July 2023, Task Force ‘Gladiator’ clocked up over 1700 flight hours. Their primary roles encompassed defending Romanian airspace, managing various Quick Reaction Alerts, and participating in several NATO exercises, such as Dacian Strike, Air Defender, and Neptune Strike.

They also undertook Close Air Support missions, collaborating with an international Joint Terminal Attack Controller component and took part in training exercises alongside artillery fire units. Personnel Recovery exercises in tandem with rotary wing assets from both the Host Nation and the US were also executed.

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