After 158 days of mission, the aircraft carrier ITS Cavour (C 550) returned to Taranto yesterday. The carrier group, consisting of the flagship Cavour of the Naval Squadron, the frigate ITS Alpino (F 592), and, in the final phase of the mission, the offshore multipurpose patrol vessel ITS Montecuccoli (P 432), departed from Taranto on June 1 and, during its Indo-Pacific deployment, visited the ports of Salalah, Singapore, Darwin, Yokosuka, Manila, Jakarta, Goa, Muscat, Karachi, and Alexandria.
On board the Cavour, advanced F-35B aircraft operated, enabling the Navy to assume a crucial strategic role in ensuring freedom of navigation and safeguarding the nation’s vital interests. Starting from the stopover in Darwin, Australia, Naval pilots from the embarked air group in Grottaglie worked alongside colleagues from the 32nd Wing of Amendola of the Air Force, which deployed two aircraft on the carrier. As emphasized by General Portolano, the mission highlighted the Defense’s remarkable teamwork capabilities. Air Force pilots remained on board until the group’s return to Taranto, working in perfect synergy with Navy personnel.
Among the numerous activities conducted, the group provided support to units involved in the “Aspides” and “Atalanta” missions for navigation security in the Red Sea, collaborated with the U.S. carrier groups Eisenhower and Lincoln, and participated in “Pitch Black 2024,” an Australian exercise involving over 20 participating nations.
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