Viterbo Aviazione Dell'Esercito center.
The AvEs center of Viterbo hosts the training unit of the Italian Army Aviation, it also hosts all of the heavy CH-47, the Special Operation squadron and the only fixed wing squadron of the AvEs.
The Aviation Army Training Centetr it's composed by three squadrons. The first one it's focused on the basic training and it's equipped with the old AB206. Once finished the basic training the young pilots depending on the final assignements move to the following squadrons. Someone goes to the AB-205/NH-90 Group for the transportation unit training, others will go to the combat training group flying with A-129CBT. They all flight on the close by range along the Appenini that allow them to fly low level missions along tactical flight using the enviroment as hideouts. The italian pilots are not the only ones flying around since the training center at Viterbo it's used also by foreing armed forces. In order to increase the training capabilities there are also a couple of three-dimensional flight simulator, expecially for the AB-205. Due to the fact that all the pilot pass through the training unit of Viterbo you could see most of the Army inventory, from the AB205 to the A109, but also AB212 and A129CBT, but you will also find some rare Army Helicopters, like the AB-412 "Creso". When we visited the training center in 2007 the build up of the new unit for the NH-90TTH was already well ahead, and there were already two of the medium helicopter flying around.
On the other side f the road there is the 1st Aviation Army Regiment "Antares". It's composed by 6 different squadron, the 111st and the 112nd Squadron, part of the 11th Sqd Group flying the CH-47C. Besides those two there is the 26th Special Operations Sqd Group composed by the 426th Sq on CH-47C and the 526th Sq on AB212 and AB412. Finally there is the 28th Sqd Group flying the Do228 for the ACTL Sq, and the P180E flying for the ACTR Sq. The first unit fly with the biggest helicopter of the Italian Army for troops movements and forward operating base supply. The second unit focus on the Special Operation Supports, that means that this Unit it's the first one to be sent in theatry like happens in Iraq and Afghanistan, but it's also port of the long running UNIFIL operation in Lebanon. They train in both day and night long range infiltration flying as long as possible,patrolling remote areas ready to engage enemies. Finally there is the small fixed wing unit with 3 Dornier and P180 used for FOB supply and VIP transportation.
Text and Photo by Marco Sommacal
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Tipo di Velivolo |
Matricola |
Codice |
Gruppo |
Stormo |
Base |
AB206C-1 |
mm80616 |
E.I.555 |
|
Army Training Center |
Viterbo |
AB205A |
mm80717 |
E.I.346 |
|
Army Training Center |
Viterbo |
AB205A |
mm80718 |
E.I.347 |
|
Army Training Center |
Viterbo |
AB212 |
mm81499 |
E.I.416 |
|
Army Training Center |
Viterbo |
AB412 |
mm81194 |
E.I.451 |
|
1st Regiment "Antares" |
Viterbo |
AB412 'Creso' |
mm81196 |
E.I.453 |
|
Army Training Center |
Viterbo |
AB412 |
mm81355 |
E.I.464 |
|
1st Regiment "Antares" |
Viterbo |
CH-47C |
mm80838 |
E.I.816 |
|
1st Regiment "Antares" |
Viterbo |
CH-47C |
mm80840 |
E.I.818 |
|
1st Regiment "Antares" |
Viterbo |
CH-47C |
mm81230 |
E.I.829 |
|
1st Regiment "Antares" |
Viterbo |
CH-47C |
mm81231 |
E.I.830 |
|
1st Regiment "Antares" |
Viterbo |
CH-47C |
mm81232 |
E.I.831 |
|
1st Regiment "Antares" |
Viterbo |
CH-47C |
mm81387 |
E.I.833 |
|
1st Regiment "Antares" |
Viterbo |
CH-47C |
mm81439 |
E.I.834 |
|
1st Regiment "Antares" |
Viterbo |
CH-47C |
mm81440 |
E.I.835 |
|
1st Regiment "Antares" |
Viterbo |
A109CM |
mm81234 |
E.I.857 |
|
Army Training Center |
Viterbo |
A129CBT |
mm81415 |
E.I.945 |
|
Army Training Center |
Viterbo |