DECEMBER 18, 2024 – U.S. Air Force Airmen and aircraft assigned to the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano Air Base, Italy, joined Italian and German forces for NATO Allied Air Command’s annual Poggio Dart 2024 exercise over Northern Italy, Dec. 2-13.
U.S. F-16 Fighting Falcons from Aviano AB flew alongside Italian Air Force F-35 Lightning IIs, Eurofighter Typhoons, Panavia Tornados and MQ-9 Predators. Italian Naval F-35Bs and AV-8 Harriers and a German Learjet also joined the ranks.
“Tech school provides the foundation, but it’s here – in the real-world operating environment – where our Airmen truly put their skills to the test,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Anthony D’Agostino, 606th Air Control Squadron commander. “This experience has been a valuable proving ground, allowing them to apply textbook knowledge to real-world challenges and emerge as capable, confident and mission-ready professionals.”
Members from the 555th Fighter Squadron, “Triple Nickel,” and the 606th ACS at Aviano AB supported the exercise with F-16s and personnel to execute command and control maneuvers for day and night operations.
The Deployable Air Command and Control Center based out of Poggio Renatic, Italy, organized Poggio Dart 2024, bringing together almost 30 aircraft, land and maritime forces and cutting-edge technologies to train for the challenges of a rapidly evolving security landscape.
Designed to simulate a variety of scenarios testing the adaptability and responsiveness of NATO forces, the exercise challenged participants with realistic scenarios. Participants were required to seamlessly communicate and cooperate, contributing to synchronized air and maritime operations.
The exercise demonstrated that NATO is a unified force capable of responding to adversarial aggression at a moment’s notice.
“As exercise Poggio Dart 24 unfolds, we are witnessing top cooperation and coordination among our allied forces,” said Italian air force Maj. Gen. Luca Maineri, commander of the DACCC. “This exercise not only strengthens our readiness and skills but also reinforces the bonds of interoperability and cohesion that are the foundation of NATO’s solidness.”
The U.S., Italy and Germany worked together to orchestrate the full spectrum of multi-domain operations, from planning to real-time execution, which showcased joint commitment to defense and security.
NATO Allied Air Command contributed to this story.
United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa Public Affairs