​The Italian Carrier Strike Group (CSG) – 31st Naval Group, composed of aircraft carrier Cavour, frigate Alpino and, since 16 August, Multipurpose Combat Ship Raimondo Montecuccoli, returned today to Taranto, at the end of its first operational campaign across the Indo-Pacific, a region that is outside the Italian Navy's traditional area of responsibility.

The three naval units entered the Mar Grande naval base following 152 days of activities (with 101 days at sea), and after travelling around 77,000 nautical miles, visiting 18 ports in 14 different countries

The crews were welcomed by the Chief of Italian Defence, General Luciano Portolano, the Chief of the Italian Navy, Admiral Enrico Credendino, and the Commander in Chief Naval Fleet Admiral Aurelio De Carolis, who, by their presence on the flight deck of aircraft carrier Cavour, wanted to underscore the strategic significance of the just-completed campaign for the Navy and the Defence.

“The operational and training activities you've undertaken have been crucial in boosting interoperability, interconnectivity, and interchangeability in complex environments. They've also enhanced the Defence's ability to operate with our allies in joint and combined operations", General Portolano stated. “All of this has been possible thanks to your dedication, professionalism, and expertise, but above all to the constant support you receive from your families, to whom I extend my gratitude".

“The technical, operational, logistical, and naval diplomatic capabilities we have deployed have been universally admired around the world. This is the result of a teamwork that has involved all our organizations, a model that I feel it is my duty to share with all those who, in various roles, on the front lines and behind the scenes, have worked to make all this possible, making sacrifices and sometimes throwing their heart over the obstacles. A special thanks to the crews who have conducted the activities and to their families who have supported this demanding commitment", Admiral Credendino said in his speech.

The CSG's first activation resulted in the achievement of numerous and significant objectives, including many of strategic importance to Defence. Under the command of Rear Admiral Giancarlo Ciappina, the Italian carrier strike group actively enhanced Italy's presence in the Indo-Pacific, making the most of its significant projection capabilities by cooperating with, and in some cases integrating with, air and naval assets of allied and partner navies,  thus improving interoperability and interchangeability.

The campaign – which was also a major naval diplomacy effort – actively sought to promote Italy's excellence within the 'Sistema Italia' framework, while safeguarding international security and freedom of navigation. Last but not least, the remarkable achievement of reaching Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for the embarked F-35B air component ahead of schedule. This is a fundamental step, also considering Italy's position as the only nation in the European Union that has a credible sea projection capability based on a 5th generation aircraft. In the path leading to the declaration of IOC, the collaboration with the Italian Air Force has proven to be fundamental and constructive. Their aircraft, pilots, and specialists have operated from the flight deck of aircraft carrier Cavour in an efficient, synergistic, and interchangeable manner, consolidating the nation's 5th generation expeditionary sea-based capability.

For 5 months, the CSG interacted with air and naval units from the navies of France, Spain, Greece, Germany, Japan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Oman, supporting NATO operation NOBLE SHIELD and EU operations ASPIDES and ATALANTA. Activities included training with NATO SNMG2 (Standing NATO Maritime Group 2) naval units and with the US Carrier Strike Groups led by aircraft carriers Dwight Eisenhower and Abraham Lincoln. Furthermore, the CSG took part for the first time in Australia's international air combat  Exercise Pitch Black 24, as well as in naval exercises Noble Raven, off the coast of Japan, and Noble Wolf 1 and 2, in the Pacific Ocean. The joint training with the Indian Navy off Goa, with their aircraft carrier Vikramaditya taking part, was also extremely rewarding, further demonstrating the interoperability of the Italian CSG.

Onboard the 3 naval units, there were over a thousand crew members, integrated with personnel from the San Marco Marine Brigade for Force Protection activities and divers of the Operational Divers Group (GOS) from the Operational Raiders and Divers Group (COMSUBIN), also qualified to perform EOD-IEDD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal -  Improvised Explosive Device Disposal) tasks. From the flight deck of the aircraft carrier Cavour, 8 F-35B aircraft operated on an almost daily basis, including 2 from the Italian Air Force and 7 AV-8B+ Harriers.

The campaign also provided an opportunity to make the Cavour's healthcare capabilities available to the community. A medical team, composed of personnel from the Italian Navy and volunteer surgeons from the Smile House ETS Foundation, performed maxillofacial and reconstructive surgeries on 17 patients in the ports of Manila and Goa, surgeries that local hospitals couldn't handle.  

Mission accomplished!