01 Oct 2009

On Tuesday 29 September 2009, the Italian Air Force 4° Stormo celebrated reaching the historical milestone of 10,000 flight hours with the Eurofighter Typhoon. Based in Grosseto, in central Italy, the 4° Stormo was the first Italian Air Force wing to receive the Typhoon in 2004.

The ceremony was attended by the Air Force Commander-in-Chief, Air Force General Daniele Tei, among other senior officers. Colonel Achille Cazzaniga, commander of the 4° Stormo, attributed the achievement to the “synergy of all men and women of the Stormo". Human resources is the key to ensuring the effectiveness of the air weapon, even in times of reduced funding of the Armed Forces.

After his flight in one of the unit's two-seater Typhoons, General Tei expressed his thanks to all 4° Stormo staff “for what you did, what you are doing and what you do for the future” and the representatives of Alenia and Finmeccanica “for the general logistical support provided to achieve this important outcome”.

To commemorate the milestone, one of the aircraft (single-seater M.M.7299) from the wing was given special markings on its fin, including 'Diecimila ore' titles and the names of the wing's men and women. Another Typhoon was on display together with its arsenal of air-to-air weapons, signifying the air defense role of the aircraft in Italian service.

The 4° Stormo operates with two Squadrons. 20 Gruppo is the Operational Conversion Unit for the pilots’ transition to the Eurofighter Typhoon, and 9 Gruppo is the first operational squadron. In addition to the OCU and operational task of securing national airspace, the Stormo obtained NATO’s certification to accomplish out-of-area missions in support of peace within the NATO Response Force on June 21, 2009.