Italian Typhoons train with Iraqi Air Force F-16s
February 4, 2025
The Italian National Contingent Command Air/Task Force Air Kuwait (IT NCC AIR/TFA K) was established in Kuwait on 17 October 2014, and supports Operation Prima Parthica (the Italian element within the multi-national Operation Inherent Resolve), with some 400 personnel assigned to ITNCC AIR.
These are divided between Ali Al Salem air base in Kuwait, with General Atomics MQ-9A Predator aircraft from the Araba Fenice Task Group and F-2000A Eurofighter aircraft from the Typhoon Task Group.
KC-767As from the Breus Task Group and (K)C-130J(-30)s of the Medal Task Group operate from Abdullah Al Mubarak Air Base (the military enclave of Kuwait International Airport), carrying out air-to-air refuelling in support of Coalition air assets, with the Hercules conducting Medical Evacuation and tactical transport operations in support of Prima Parthica, and the European Union Training Mission (EUTM) in Somalia and Djibouti.
The EC-27J JEDI aircraft of the Albatros Task Group carry out EW missions for the protection of the ground component (approximately 300 soldiers assigned to ITNCC LAND) from Erbil air base in Iraq.
The Italian Eurofighters also carry out joint exercises with the Iraqi Air Force, aimed at promoting integration and sharing of training, with a view to collaboration in the service of peace and stability in the region.
On 28 January, ITNCC AIR announced that its two Eurofighter F2000A Typhoons had undertaken training activities with four Iraqi F-16 aircraft as part of long-running training operations between the Italian Air Force and the Iraqi Air Force. The exercise tested air-to-air tactics and procedures in order to strengthen interoperability and co-ordination with the Iraqi Air Force.
At the end of the training events, Colonel Matteo Zuliani, Commander of the Italian National Contingent Command Air – Task Force Air Kuwait, underlined the importance of training in multinational and joint contexts, essential to guarantee the effectiveness of operations and increase synergy between Coalition forces, in order to guarantee international stability and security.
