Typhoon Flag remains one of the Italian Air Force’s most important annual training events — a cornerstone of combat readiness and interoperability for its Eurofighter Typhoon fleet. The 2026 edition, which was held from the 12th till the 27th of February at Trapani-Birgi Air Base, once again brought together all Italian units operating the F‑2000 to focus on a critical objective: operational and maintenance standardisation across the fleet.
The exercise united the 4° Stormo (Grosseto), 36° Stormo (Gioia del Colle), 37° Stormo Wing (Trapani-Birgi), and 51° Stormo (Istrana), strengthening the shared procedures that underpin both domestic Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) duties and international deployments. As Colonnello Maurizio De Angelis put it during the exercise presentation, “The exercise has evolved — we’ve grown, we’re better organised. This is the direction we must keep pursuing.”
Trapani-Birgi: The Perfect Host
For the second consecutive year, the 37° Stormo “Cesare Toschi” hosted the exercise at Trapani-Birgi. Home to the 18° Gruppo Eurofighters, the base offers an ideal strategic position between Sicily and Sardinia, supported by extensive airspace that allows for the execution of complex, large-scale missions. After successfully hosting Typhoon Flag for the first time in 2025, the 2026 edition further consolidated the base’s reputation as a centre of operational excellence.
This year’s exercise was slightly larger in scope, introducing even more complex scenarios and a wider range of mission profiles. Among the focus areas were the refinement of air-to-air (A-A) and air-to-surface (A-S) tactics, integration between 4th and 5th generation fighters, and training within contested and congested airspace environments — all reflecting the characteristics of modern operational theatres.
Training Objectives and Tactical Progress
Typhoon Flag 2026 had eight defined objectives, including the standardization and validation of Typhoon Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs); the development of Threat Reaction training against cruise missiles (CMs) and unmanned aerial systems (UAS); and the improvement of fighter integration across generations. Crews also exploited the electronic warfare capabilities of the Poligono Interforze Salto di Quirra (PISQ) range to simulate real-world complexity.
Planning was central to the exercise. Crews dedicated entire days to mission preparation, working alongside liaison officers (LNOs) from various supporting units to ensure that capabilities were properly integrated. This collaborative approach, known as Large Force Employment (LFE) planning, allowed for the creation of dynamic and realistic sorties that effectively tested every element of Italy’s combat air system.
Multi-Platform Integration
Beyond the Typhoon wings,
numerous supporting units were integrated into the exercise, reflecting the
Italian Air Force’s full-spectrum approach to operations:
- 6° Stormo (F‑35A Lightning II)
- 32° Stormo (F‑35A & MQ‑9A Reaper / RQ‑1B
Predator)
- 15° Stormo (HH‑139A rotary assets)
- 61° Stormo (T‑346A advanced trainers)
- 41° Stormo (P‑72A maritime patrol aircraft)
- 14° Stormo (KC‑767A tankers & E‑550A CAEW
platforms)
- 46ª Brigata Aerea (KC‑130J tactical transport and
refuelling aircraft)
Adding further value, the NATO E‑3A
AWACS participated directly in operations, offering airborne command and
control (C2) and enhancing electronic warfare realism. This close coordination
ensured comprehensive coverage of all mission phases, from air refuelling and
ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) to tactical data link
integration.
Standardisation: The Core of Efficiency
A recurring theme of Typhoon Flag remains standardisation. As Eurofighter operations span multiple bases, it is crucial that every unit operates with identical procedures — whether in flight line processes, maintenance routines, or tactical communications. The exercise serves as a live forum for harmonisation, allowing crews to compare methods, identify best practices, and institutionalise improvements.
As Colonnello De Angelis emphasised, “When someone says, ‘We’ve always done it that way in Gioia,’ that’s not enough. We need to understand why, compare, and adopt the best approach as our common standard.” Intermediate commands play a key role in capturing these lessons, refining them, and disseminating standardised procedures across the fleet.
Managing Shared Skies
Conducting an exercise of this magnitude in Italy’s busy airspace demands high-level coordination with ENAV and civil aviation channels. Airspace was dynamically managed — temporarily segregated for military training and promptly released for civilian operations — embodying the Air Force’s “flexible use of airspace” philosophy. This approach optimises national airspace efficiency while maintaining safety and minimizing disruption.
The Networked Future of Air Power
Perhaps the most critical takeaway from Typhoon Flag 2026 lies in its forward-looking approach to connectivity. As the Air Force integrates 5th generation aircraft like the F‑35A with legacy platforms, information sharing and data link synchronisation become the decisive factors for operational success. Modern warfare hinges not solely on the performance of individual aircraft, but on the seamless flow of information between all assets.
“Every platform must be a node within a network — able to send, receive, and process information,” explained Colonnello De Angelis. “That’s the heart of modern operations. Those who lack information cannot truly operate.”
A Step Forward
Typhoon Flag 2026 demonstrated the Italian Air Force’s growing maturity in joint, networked, and standardised air operations. From mission planning to execution and lessons learned, the exercise showcased how integrated multi-platform cooperation is transforming the nation’s defensive and expeditionary capabilities. With each edition, Typhoon Flag not only strengthens Italy’s air combat effectiveness — it redefines what it means to operate as a unified, connected force. A heartfelt thank you to the Italian Air Force and the 37° Stormo for welcoming us to Trapani-Birgi Air Base to cover Typhoon Flag 2026!
