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Italy Hosts Major Multinational F-35 Exercise “Falcon Strike 2022” at Amendola Air Base
For the second consecutive year, Italy’s 32nd Wing at Amendola Air Base (Foggia) hosted Falcon Strike, one of the most advanced multinational air exercises in Europe, centered around fifth-generation fighter jets. The exercise concluded on November 25 and brought together F-35 aircraft and personnel from Italy, the United States, and the Netherlands, simulating high-intensity, contested operational environments.
Showcasing Advanced Capabilities and Cooperation
Falcon Strike 2022 served as the Italian Air Force’s most significant training event of the year, emphasizing flexibility, interoperability, and operational effectiveness. With over 50 aircraft and 1,000 personnel — including 600 deployed at Amendola — the exercise incorporated assets from six Italian Air Force bases and the Italian Navy destroyer Caio Duilio. Training scenarios focused on maximizing Very Low Observability capabilities and enhancing coordination in complex air operations.
The strategic importance of the event was underscored by visits from Italy’s Chief of Defense, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, and the Minister of Defense, Hon. Guido Crosetto, who praised the professionalism and commitment of Italy’s military personnel.
F-35 Air Chief Meeting Hosted in Italy
In conjunction with the exercise, Italy hosted — for the first time — the F-35 Air Chief Meeting, a high-level forum typically held at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. Led by the United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE), the meeting gathered senior leaders from across the F-35 European Users Group, further cementing Italy’s leadership within the F-35 community and leveraging its state-of-the-art Operational Training Infrastructure.
Extensive Multi-Domain Participation
A wide range of aircraft participated in the exercise, including Italian F-35A/Bs, Tornados, Eurofighter Typhoons, KC-767A tankers, G550 CAEW aircraft, HH-101 and HH-139 helicopters, and transport aircraft from the 46th Air Brigade. NATO allies contributed additional F-35s, F-16s, and KC-135s.
Ground operations played a crucial role as well, with JTAC teams conducting real-time targeting for air support, alongside a broad array of surface-to-air defense systems, including the SAMP/T missile system and STINGER batteries. Realistic electronic warfare threats were simulated using USAFE’s Wide Band Joint Threat Emitter and other advanced systems.
Complex Training in Contested Airspace
The exercise featured missions in highly defended environments (A2AD), including offensive counter-air operations, electronic warfare, air interdiction, and Special Forces support operations. Strategic command and control were ensured by the NASOC center in Poggio Renatico and advanced surveillance assets like the G550 CAEW and the Italian Deployable ASACS.
A notable highlight was the demonstration of the Italian Defense’s expeditionary capability, including “hot pit refueling” operations carried out by KC-130Js to support F-35Bs operating from remote locations such as Alghero, increasing the Air Force’s rapid deployment readiness from land-based platforms.
32nd Wing: A Cornerstone of European F-35 Operations
The 32nd Wing, under the Combat Forces Command in Milan, plays a central role in Italy’s air defense and strike readiness. Since achieving Initial Operational Capability in 2018, it has participated in NATO Air Policing missions abroad and is the only European unit operating both F-35A and F-35B variants. It also conducts ISR missions using MQ-1C and MQ-9A drones, and provides advanced pilot training through its MB-339 fleet.
Air Force Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Luca Goretti, emphasized that Falcon Strike reflects Italy’s growth in fifth-generation capabilities and its appeal to international partners: “This exercise showcases not just our aircraft, but the entire system — from air traffic control to mission planning — and it draws the attention of 13 nations at the highest military levels. That is the strongest endorsement of our leadership and professionalism.”
