Unusual route for an Italian Air Force KC-767A: logistic flights to the Turkish-Iraqi border

In the past few hours, we have tracked an interesting mission conducted by an Italian Air Force Boeing KC-767A (reg. MM62227). The aircraft, operating under the radio callsign IAM1415, took off from the Rome area (presumably from the Pratica di Mare airbase) heading towards the south-eastern quadrant of the Atlantic Alliance.

As shown by the ADS-B track, the asset crossed the airspace of Greece and Turkey, flying the entire length of the Anatolian peninsula. What makes this mission particularly noteworthy is its final destination: the aircraft landed at the Turkish airport of Şırnak (NKT / LTCV).

This infrastructure is located in the extreme south-east of Turkey, just a few kilometers from the tripoint border with Syria and, most importantly, Iraq. The aircraft then returned to Italy overnight.

According to our observations, this is not an isolated event: it is at least the second rotation of this kind recently recorded towards the same airport.

Why Şırnak? The use of this border airport raises interesting points from a logistical and strategic perspective. It is well known that an important Italian military contingent is present in Iraq, specifically in Iraqi Kurdistan, as part of the Prima Parthica operation. Traditionally, the main logistical hub supporting our troops in the area has always been Erbil airport.

However, Erbil airport and its surrounding infrastructure have been the target of attacks by local militias in the past. It is highly likely that the use of Şırnak airport represents a choice dictated by security reasons: landing in Turkish territory (and therefore within NATO borders) guarantees a significantly higher security framework for a strategic asset like the KC-767A, while still keeping the logistical hub very close to the Iraqi operational theater, which can then be reached by land or with smaller tactical carriers.