Italian and Iraqi aircraft training for the anti-ISIS coalition

A joint exercise was conducted in Iraqi airspace, involving two Italian F-2000 ‘Eurofighter’ aircraft, part of the Typhoon Task Group, based at the Ali Al Salem airbase in Kuwait, which serves as the headquarters of the Italian National Contingent Command Air Force. The exercise included two Iraqi F-16 aircraft from the 9th and 11th Groups of the Iraqi Air Force base in Balad (Iraq). The cross-training activity was conducted as part of the ‘Partner Nation Integration’ initiatives within the context of the multinational mission ‘Prima Parthica/Inherent Resolve.’ The exercise was designed to assess the interoperability of assets and joint intervention capabilities to provide support and promote security in the region. The Italian National Contingent Command Air/Task Force Air Kuwait was established on 17 October 2014 and placed under the Interforce Summit Operations Command. It participates in Operation Prima Parthica/Inherent Resolve as part of the International Anti-ISIS Coalition, deploying F-2000 ‘Eurofighter’ aircraft with tactical reconnaissance functions.