Page 66 - HeliOps Frontline Issue 26

66 HELIOPS FRONTLINE / ISSUE 26 / 2019

the CSA worked on landing the first Agusta A-129 Mangusta on a
Navy ship. We make use of sophisticated instruments during these
tests, including telemetry data for real-time data interpretation.”
The unique skills of the CSA and the results ensuing from their
application, make the testing unit an instrument of significant
value for the Italian Navy, in the context of the management of
aircraft and the development of new programs. “Our work, however,
isn’t limited to only aircraft, their systems and weapons,” as
Commander Pingitore continued. “We are heavily involved in the
design of flight decks for the new Italian Navy ships and we also
give support to Qatar, who are building new ships for their Navy,
the first of which is expected to be finalised in 2021. The CSA helps
in the design of the flight deck, hangars and all rooms linked to
flight activities onboard.”

OPERATIONAL INVOLVEMENT

In 2010, 1° Gruppo Elicoterri was deployed to Afghanistan as
part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission
with the task group ‘Shark’, comprising a total of 67 military
aircrew, helicopter maintenance technicians, administrative,
logistical and medical personnel, as well as riflemen from the 1st
San Marco Regiment for protection and security tasks. The task
group operated from October 2010 to 7 December 2011, with about