MILAVIA > Specials > IMMEDIATE RESPONSE 2019 1st CAB Deployment – Rivolto, Italy Last updated: 22 November 2020
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Exercise Report : IMMEDIATE RESPONSE 2019 1st CAB Deployment – Rivolto, Italy

Exercise IMMEDIATE RESPONSE 2019

1st Combat Aviation Brigade Deployment Rivolto, Italy

Renzo Del Bianco reports on the 1st CAB deployment to Rivolto in 2019, including Maniago range photos contributed by Marcello Cosolo

The 1st CAB (Combat Aviation Brigade) “Demon” is the aerial component of the famous 1st Infantry Division “THE BIG RED ONE”, headquartered in Fort Riley, Kansas, United States. In 2019, the 1st CAB deployed to Europe from January to October as part of the Operation Atlantic Resolve. During these months, the Brigade was engaged in training activities involving several exercises all over the Europe until being replaced by the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, on November 1, 2019.

Exercise Immediate Response is a terrestrial exercise held in Europe. The 1st CAB was one of the main participants in the 2019 edition, which had involved approximately 3,000 U.S. Army personnel from various units and more than 6,000 from allied and partner nations. The multinational exercise Immediate Response 19 (IR19) was co-led by Croatian Armed Forces, Slovenian Armed Forces and U.S. Army Europe at various locations in the hosting nations of Croatia, Hungary and Slovenia. IR19 was designed to test the ability to move forces and equipment rapidly to Forward Operating Bases during operational crisis scenarios, with the purpose of improving readiness and interoperability among the participating forces. Highlights in IR19 included airborne jumps, air assaults, a medical exercise, live fire exercise, as well as the establishment and integration of a multinational battalion with forces from 15 allied and partner nations.

From May 3 until 17 the personnel and equipment assigned to 1st Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) deployed to Rivolto, the Italian Air Force base situated in the northeastern region of the Italy, home of the Italian Air Force 2° Stormo, in preparation for its participation in IR19. The task of the 1st CAB in IR19 was to provide aerial support for the 173rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team – Airborne (IBCT-A), based in Vicenza, and elements of the Italian Army “Folgore” Airborne Brigade.

Vehicles and helicopters arrived at Rivolto from various locations in Germany, Lithuania, and Romania. Until May 13, daily sorties were also flown by 1st CAB’s helicopters to the Maniago range, situated between Rivolto and Aviano AB. Every morning and afternoon different pairs of HH-60s and CH-47s took off from Rivolto and flew to the range area, where parachutists from 173rd Airborne Brigade carried out medium-height training drops from the helicopters. From May 14 onwards the vehicles and helicopters progressively moved to Cerklie (Krsko), Slovenia, to support deployment of ground troops belonging to 173rd Brigade IBCT-A and the Folgore Arborne Brigade, which were both airdropped respectively by C-130s belonging to three different Air National Guard units departing from Aviano AB and by C-130s belonging to 46^ Brigata Aerea departing from Pisa.

This CH-47F, serial #16-08201, is taking off with destination the Maniago range
The CH-47F, serial #16-08201, is taking off with destination the Maniago range
One more CH-47F, serial #15-08196, parked in the apron next the runway of Rivolto Air Base
The CH-47F, serial #16-08201, in hovering while waiting for the couple of UH-60Ms. These helis departed to the Maniago range to support the day's training activities of the 173rd Airborne Brigade parachutists
A UH-60M is moving from parking area closer to the runway for take off
A close view of this UH-60M. The air crew member is checking everything is OK
A UH-60M while waiting
UH-60M #11-20398 while is moving from parking area to depart
CH-47F Chinook sporting the 1st Infantry Division insignia
This UH-60M is joining the Chinook to the Maniago range
Close up rear CH-47F Chinook
Close up of the front section of this CH-47F Chinook
The inner close up of a Chinook in configuration for airborne troops
No activity planned with this CH-47F Chinook
Crews check in this UH-60M
A front view of the UH-60M #11-20399
The Black Hawk #11-20420 parked on south side of the taxiway
The Black Hawk #11-20420 parked on south side of the taxiway
The Black Hawk #11-20346 parked on south side of the taxiway
The line up of the 3-1 AVN
A close up of the UH-60M Black Hawk #11-20346 sporting the 1st Infantry Division insignia
A close up of the UH-60M Black Hawk #11-20346
View of the Sikorsky UH-60M new advanced cockpit
The CH-47F, serial #16-08201, begins to taxi
The CH-47F, serial #16-08201, begins to taxi. On both side an air crew member check everything is clear for taxiing
The CH-47F, serial #16-08201, is taxiing towards the take off point on the runway
The UH-60M, serial #11-20413, is taxiing towards the take off point on the runway
The UH-60M, serial #11-20398, is in hovering waiting to reach the take off point on the runway
After taking off the helis turn towards the Maniago range
Close up view of the tail rotor blades
An angled front view of this Sikorsky UH-60M
Emblem of 3rd AHB (Assault Helicopter Battalion) - 1st Aviation Regiment
No activity planned for this UH-60M assigned to 3-1 AVN
An angled front view of this Sikorsky UH-60M #11-20420
Sikorsky UH-60Ms parked on south side of the Rivolto taxiway
UH-60s tails rotor blades aligned
Technician checks everything is ok in tail rotor blade transmission

During the media day in Rivolto, which took place on May 10, there was the opportunity to have a close look at the whole helicopter detachment deployed; five CH-47F Chinooks and twelve UH-60 Black Hawks. Unfortunately, there were not any AH-64E Apaches at Rivolto, because those had been forward deployed at different locations in Slovenia and Croatia. We were able to witness some departures of CH-47s and UH-60s to the training range, as well as activities of the crews to prepare the Black Hawks for the sorties.

This kind of deployment represented an important training opportunity also for 2° Stormo in providing what is expected per Host Nation Support directives, i.e. civil and military assistance rendered to NATO and Allied forces which can be located on or be in transit through the Host Nation’s territory. The 2° Stormo operates the SPADA missile system for air defense of specific sites like airports or other high value locations. The unit also is responsible for the complete service and maintenance of the air base’s infrastructure and systems, supporting the Rivolto based 313° Gruppo Addestramento Acrobatico “Frecce Tricolori” aerobatic display team, and everything else necessary for handling aircraft in transit or hosting deployments of other units, as with the 1st CAB’s deployment.

The right side of the UH-60M Black Hawk #09-20225
The UH-60M Black Hawk #11-20418 fitted with ESSS (External Stores Support System) device
Ground crew is preparing this Black Hawk for afternoon sortie
With the ESSS (External Stores Support System) the Black Hawk is able to carry external weapons and fuel tanks
UH-60M Black Hawk #11-20418 fitted with ESSS
An impressive view of the Black Hawk #11-20418 fitted with ESSS
UH-60M #11-20413 at the Maniago
UH-60M #11-20413 at the Maniago range while taking off with parachutists on board
UH-60M #11-20398 at the Maniago range taking off with parachutists on board
1st CAB flight crew member
1st CAB flight crew
UH-60M #11-20398 inbound at the Maniago range
CH-47F #16-08201 at the Maniago range while boarding parachutists from the 173rd Airborne Brigade
Some parachutists jumping from a 1st CAB UH-60M over Maniago range


Report by Renzo Del Bianco. Photos by Renzo Del Bianco and Marcello Cosolo.





First Published: 22 November 2020
Last Modified: 22 November 2020