Today is the first day of “Falcon Strike 2021” exercise. Falcon Strike 21 is a joint, multinational exercise with participants from the United States, Israel, Italy, and the United Kingdom, that optimizes the integration between 4th and 5th Generation aircraft, increases the level of cooperation in the F-35 logistics and expeditionary fields, and strengthens interoperability of allied and partner air forces during joint operations.
Six Israeli F-35 stealth fighters landed in Italy (Amendola AB) last week. In addition to the F-35A/B from Israel, the US (USMC from HMS Queen Elizabeth), UK (Royal Navy from HMS Queen Elizabeth), and Italy (from Amendola AB), USAF F-16 fighter (from Aviano AB) aircraft will take part in the exercise, along with one IAF Gulfstream “Eitam” reconnaissance plane, two IAF Boeing “Re’em” refueler jets, an Italian Boeing KC767A refueling plane, an Italian KC130J refueling plane, an Italian Gulfstream E.550 CAEW reconnaissance plane and a RAF Airbus KC.2 tanker.
Those planes will face off against a fleet of Italian aircraft that will act as a “red team,” simulating an enemy air force, including Eurofighter Typhoons, AMX, Panavia Tornados, Predator drones, Leonardo T.346 and helicopters.
