In a ceremony commemorating the 10th anniversary of Italy's accession to the European Air Transport Command (EATC), Senior Representative Colonel Paolo Giuseppe Pizzuti presented a symbolic gift marking this significant milestone. The gift—a propeller blade from a C-130J aircraft engine—embodies Italy’s enduring contribution to European air mobility and its steadfast commitment to EATC's mission.
Since joining the EATC, Italy has significantly bolstered its own airlift capabilities while enhancing the collective strength of the command. Its air transport fleet, including the KC/C-130J, C-130J-30, C-27J, and KC-767A, has become an indispensable asset to EATC. These platforms support a wide range of operations, from tactical and logistics air transport to aeromedical evacuation and air-to-air refuelling, ensuring operational flexibility and strategic reach.
The commemorative propeller blade, originally part of a Lockheed C-130 Hercules, is adorned with the coat of arms of the 46th Air Brigade in Pisa, home to three squadrons, and the 14th Wing in Pratica di Mare, which operates the KC-767A. These symbols pay homage to the units' critical roles in Italy’s air transport and refuelling missions within the EATC framework.
Colonel Pizzuti’s gesture underscores Italy's pivotal role within the EATC, highlighting the shared values, trust, and operational interoperability fostered over the past decade. Italy’s integration of air transport resources has enhanced joint operations, solidifying Europe’s collective defence and air mobility capabilities.
This milestone celebration not only reflects a decade of successful collaboration but also reaffirms Italy’s vital contributions to EATC's evolution. As the command looks to the future, Italy's involvement remains central to achieving even greater advancements in European defence and air mobility.