The RIMPAC and Pacific Dragon exercises held in the Pacific Ocean have concluded, and the offshore multi-role patrol vessel ITS Montecuccoli (P 432) has left Hawaii to rejoin the Italian Navy’s Carrier Strike Group. As of August 16th, it has integrated into the national naval task force alongside the aircraft carrier ITS Cavour (C 550) and the multi-mission frigate ITS Alpino (F 580) for the operational campaign in the Indo-Pacific region.
The naval group, consisting of the three units from the Naval Squadron, includes a total of 1,200 personnel, 15 aircraft (including 2 Air Force F-35Bs, reinforcing the Defense’s expeditionary sea-based capability), and 4 helicopters. Completing the Carrier Strike Group (CSG) are specialized personnel from the San Marco Marine Brigade, the Operational Diver Group, the Air Traffic Control and Meteorological Service of the Air Force, and two Royal Navy officers integrated into the staff.