During World War Two, there were four major air force bases in Sardinia: Cagliari/Elmas, Cagliari/Monserrato, Alghero/Fertilia and the seaplane base Olbia. In anticipation of the war, additional bases were set up in the year 1939, which were called „training areas“, among the most important of which being the one at Decimomannu e Villacidro. Decimomannu, designated training area no. 39, was provided with a northeast-to-southwest runway made of compacted earth. The airfield was suited for taking up  a large number and variety of aircraft. In contrast to the other airfields on the islands, it was well camouflaged  and, consequently, much less susceptible to enemy attack.

The airfield Decimomannu taken down in 1940

In practical terms, Decimomannu was an open space with an approximately 2 kilometer-long somewhat more reinforced strip at whose sides mockups of aircraft made of cardboard, wood and even condemned aircraft were placed to deceive the enemy; along the edges of the site, the real aircraft, hidden by vegetation and olive-trees, were ready for take-off at all times. Decimomannu became operational in all respects on 3 June 1940 with the basing of 32nd Wing from Cagliari Elmas, where it had been aactivated originally. The virtually first act of war by Italy against the then enemy was launched from Decimomannu. On 12 June 1940, a reconnaissance plane that had taken off from that base made an overflight of the French port of Bizerta. Upon its return, it confirmed the target, and 24 S-79s flying from Decimomannu bombarded the harbor, sinking the ship "Finisterre" and damaging the "Castor", some submarines and the railway line.

Armament of a SM79 32° Stormo (1940)

Loading of five bombs from 250 Kg on a S79 of the 32° Stormo in Decimomannu (1940)

Of undoubted glory were the attacks against the British naval units that were conducted by the crews of the torpedo aircraft belonging to the Decimomannu–based  32nd Wing, subsequently 36th Wing; both were equipped with aircraft of the type Savoia Marchetti SM 84  and even more so with the better-performing Savoia Marchetti SM 79 bearing the nickname "Damned Hunchback" .These fearless actions earned the wing the award of numerous medals for bravery. During this period, famous aviators operating out of Decimomannu  (Helmuth Seidl, Boetto, Buscaglia, Graziani, Cagna, etc.) wrote the most dramatic and most heroic pages of the history of the Royal Italian Air Force engaged in the Mediterranean, and their names became legendary as a result of the determination and spirit of sacrifice animating their deeds; some of the most important Italian military airbases are named after them (Gioia del Colle, Amendola, Verona Villafranca, etc.)

Overflights field Decimomannu by an SM79's 228 Squadron in 1941

S79 depicting a famous image of the 36th Wing flying over a ship when attacked

In the course of the war, the base suffered numerous bomb attacks that caused a large number of casualties among the soldiers stationed there. The first air attack was carried out by American bomber aircraft on 17 February 1943.In addition to the wings mentioned before, during the three years of the war, from 1940 to 1943, other units of the Royal Italian Air Force (equipped with Stukas (Picchiatello), series 200/202/205 Macchis, various Reggianes FOTO 2 and Piaggios) and of the Luftwaffe (German Air Force), such as the famous 26th Combat Wing with torpedo aircraft, equipped with the Heinkel HE-111 and other aircraft (including some Ju-87 Stukas) were deployed in Decimomannu.

Following the armistice on 8 September 1943, Decimomannu saw the deployment of the Allied air forces from North Africa. Some major work on the runways were effected; already at the end of the same month, the first  "B26 Marauders" of 319th/320th Bomb Group of the American NAAF (North African Air Force) landed on the airfield of Decimomannu.On 12 November 1943, the first air attack with bombers was carried out in support of the Allied amphibious landing in central Italy. In February 1944, work to expand the airfield began; the objective of the American soldiers was ambitious and led to the installation of a take-off system that had never been tested before and was unique in the world: A runway with parallel strips was built, with a length of 2,000 meters and a width of over 300 meters and consisting of six aircraft take-off lanes and another six alternating ones in between. The strips were treated with used oil to prevent the dust stirred up during take-off and landing from causing technical malfunctions and visibility problems. This system permitted the simultaneous take-off of six aircraft. In this way, over one hundred B-26 were able to be airborne within a few minutes, with a positive impact upon both their operational range and a reduction of the take-off and landing times. The tremendous activity of the American bombers operating from the Sardinian bases and especially Decimomannu, contributed to the liberation of France and Italy from National Socialist occupation.

Takeoff in formation of six B-26, for an interdiction mission in central Italy

The system of takeoff and landing with six runway. Takeoff multiple of B26 allowed an extension of range of about 50 miles

The establishing of the current military base, one of the largest in Italy, at a distance of some 22 kilometers from Cagliari in the area of the district of Villasor, started in late 1954 on the same terrain where the old military airfield had been located during World War II, which was decommissioned in late 1944. The construction work for the new base was completed with funds contributed by NATO. The reconstruction and expansion of the Italian and West German air forces after the events of the Second World War as well as the presence of a sizeable number of Allied flying units in Europe led to a swift increase in NATO demands for air tactical training in the 50s.

They built the first facilities to accommodate the staff. Note the round in the road, remained as such until today

One sector that posed special difficulties was training in air combat and air-to-air and air-to-ground firing practice, which required the availability of state-owned premises, zones devoid of flight- and sea-traffic and, above all, optimum weather conditions in the immediate vicinity of a large air force base. This prerequisite, totally incompatible with the traffic-burdened and meteorologically disadvantageous situation prevailing in central and northern Europe, was extant—and probably still is—in the southwest of Sardinia.With the Italian Air Force’s Governmental Real Estate Office taking control of the uninhabited area  on the Capo Frasca Peninsula for use as an air-to-ground firing range, the island became the ideal location for the establishment of the first of the "Air Weapons Training Installations" (AWTIs) envisaged by the NATO plans at that time.The Italian command authority was officially created on 15 February 1957 with Order Sheet no. 7 of 1 March 1957 and bore the official title "Centro Addestramento al Tiro" (CAT; firing practice center) Decimomannu.In April 1957, an AWU (air weapons unit) for air-to-air firing practice of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) was established on the airfield, whose symbol was the archer from the  nuraghe era that to this day constitutes the official emblem of the AWTI.

Entrance of the airport 60s

Stone sculpture of ancient Sardinian warrior, symbol of AWTI

Current crest 's AWTI

The archer represents the shepherd-warrior of antiquity, whose task it probably was to protect and defend the nuraghe settlement in the event of an attack. In the same way, the AWTI in Decimomannu, which adopted him as its emblem, has the important task of training NATO aircrews in the protection and defense of the free western institutions. On 16 December 1959, the important “tri-national” agreement between Italy, Canada and West Germany  that we commemorate today, was signed. In many of its parts, this pact continues to be applicable today still, and its preamble states the designation “NATO Base – AWTI Decimomannu”. Even before the agreement was signed, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF)  and the Italian Air Force (AMI), were already operating on a regular basis from Decimomannu  and were joined by the German Air Force.

                              Badge of Canadian Detachment                                     The Avro Canada CF-100 "Canuck" in the RCAF in the 50 attending Decimomannu

In the course of the year 1960, the German Air Force command  was created and has remained in continuous presence on the base since then to organize the training of not only the service’s own flying units but also the pilots of the German Navy (naval air pilots). The first batch of German aircraft  arrived on 24 September 1960 in the form of an F-84F flight. At the same time, a permanent “German Air Force Training Area Command Italy” was set up to support the training of the Air Force pilots in air-to-ground and/or air-to-air combat and to ensure their weapons qualifications. In 1983, the on-site German command was given its current designation, “German Air Force Tactical Training Command in Italy”. On 8 January 1961, the formation was redesignated "AWTI", and the CAT/AWTI firing practice center was officially assigned responsibilities of an international nature.

                                                               Current emblem of CSSTA                                      Badge of GAF Detachment

On 1 March 1961, the base was named after Colonel-Pilot Giovanni Farina the, bearer of the golden bravery medal , commander of the Decimomannu-based 36th Torpedo Aircraft Wing 36, who achieved undying fame  with an act of bravery in the skies over Sardinia on 14 June 1942. In September of the same year 1961, the firing practice center in Brindisi was decommissioned to be reorganized as part of CAT/AWTI under the name AMI Training Group, which was changed to Sezione Standardizzazione Tiro A.M.I. In 1963 and currently bears the designation CSSTA AMI. Already at that time, the center was entrusted with the task, among others, of planning, coordinating and managing the sorties of air personnel who had to achieve a high degree of professionalism in firing and air combat tactics.For liaison roles and target-towing, the CSSTA initially employed some T-33As FOTO 2 and RT-33As that were holdovers from the CAT Brindisi, and later on Aermacchi MBB326s  ultimately Aermacchi MB339As (from Lecce).Added in the 60s to the three nations that had signed the agreement in 1959 was the USA with the United States Air Force (USAF) and the US Navy. The American detachment (USAFE Det 4th)  interrupted its activities, which then consisted of traditional training, in 1973 during the critical phase of the Vietnam War, and resumed them on a regular basis in 1978 in anticipation of the impending fielding of the ACMI system (see below).

The U.S. presence on the Base and left to grow over the years. Here's an unusual A3B Douglas F.D. Roosevelt stationary on the squares around 1963. The aircraft initially conceived as a strategic bomber and nuclear, from 60 years worked almost exclusively for tasks with alternative equipment for special missions.

Detachment 4. USAF in Decimomannu

At any rate, during the conflict in Asia the Americans also used the base for refueling stops of transiting aircraft.On 23 October 1969, on the occasion of a solemn ceremony conducted at the base, the CAT/AWTI was given the inherited official flag of the disbanded center in Brindisi. On 1 July 1970, by a decision rendered by the headquarters of the Italian Air Force, CAT AWTI Decimomannu was given its current designation: Reparto Sperimentale e di Standardizzazione al Tiro Aereo (AWTI) RSSTA/AWTI. Already after its establishment in the year 1957, the command was immediately assigned crucial tasks, including the training of gunnery instructors for the units of the Italian Air Force. Since then, 33 training courses for gunnery and tactics instructors (CITT), three courses for anti-submarine warfare instructors and one F-104 trial course in the year 1977 have been conducted. The last course for gunnery and tactics instructors was held in 1993.

The G91T used heavily in C.I.T.T. until the 90

 On the whole, a total of 407 course attendees have qualified as instructors, including four African pilots. In the course of the year 1970, the Canadian Air Force  left Decimomannu. It must be pointed out that Canada actively shouldered part of the cost (25%) of the base preparation and that the twelve squadrons belonging to the four wings deployed in Europe  since 1957 came to the AWU Decimomannu at regular intervals. For about ten years (1959-69) the Canadian AWU was present in Sardinia with a permanently based squadron equipped with CT-133s.

Canadian CF104G Starfighter  Decimomnnu in the 60s

The German training-area command was equipped with  F-104Gs and FIAT G-91s in 1973. This period ends with the organizational restructuring starting in 1983. Henceforth, the new German Air Force Tactical Training Command in Italy no longer had own aircraft at its disposal. From that time on, the air force units deployed for training brought their own aircraft to Decimomannu, fort he first time with the Tornado weapon system in 1984. In June 1973, the ecumenical church “Domus Dei"  was consecrated on the base—one-of-a-kind in Italy, at least as far as the military sector was concerned and perhaps one of the few churches in Europe open to all Christian cultures. The site vacated by the Canadian Air Force component was taken over by the British Royal Air Force, which began its activities on the base in 1973. The RAF Support Unit in Decimomannu too, pursued a precise and continuous training in close cooperation with the other users, aware of its position as an armed force of a major power.

The square with the church ecumenical "Domus Dei"

Badge-RAF Support Unit Decimomannu

The RAF Tornado ADV, often committed against the F18, Mirage 2000 and F-16.

As mentioned previously, in early 1979 the US-manufactured ACMI (Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation) system was fielded, which enabled realistic air combat training with state-of-the-art control. The American ACMI, the only one in Europe, was employed until late 2002, when it was replaced by the more modern AACMI (Autonomous Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation)  managed by an Italian-German-Israeli consortium. The flight operations conducted at the ACMI firing range, especially DACT (Dissimilar Air Combat Training), frequently also among aircraft from various nations,  also has contributed in a decisive manner to the perfecting and standardization of the controlled air combat techniques of the NATO forces. This led to the interoperability of the personnel, which today permits the western nations to operate with mixed crews and the resulting economy of resources in crisis scenarios. In order to intensify the air-to-air combat training of the units deployed in Europe and render it more realistic, USAFE  continually used support in Decimomannu from the 525th Squadron, first based in Alconbury and later in Bentwaters, England, equipped with Northrop F5E II aircraft and later, starting in 1989, with F-16Cs. On average, the base had six permanently deployed enemy-simulating “aggressor” aircraft whose pilots-masters of the air combat techniques adopted by their counterparts in the air forces of the former Warsaw Pact—contributed to the training of all American fighter crews  stationed on bases in Europe and their colleagues in the Armée de l’Air, the AMI, the RAF and the German Air Force.  The last deployment of “aggressor” F-16Cs was in 1990, just shortly before the deactivation of 527th Squadron.

The 527 Squadron was often present at Decimomannu. Here a F5E "Aggressor" to return from a mission DACT/ACMI

 F15 of 525° Squadron at Bitburg were often redeployed Decimomannu

Towards the end of the 1970s, the presence of the United States gradually increased; the base saw a continuous rise in flight operations, which for several years turned Decimomannu  into the airfield with the largest number of take-offs and landings in Europe. Throughout the 1980s, for which reliable data still exist today, there were some 450 daily aircraft maneuvers with a daily fuel consumption of 1,200,000 liters of JP8 FOTO, in contrast to the 800,000 liters consumed in the more recent exercises such as “Spring Flag”. On the whole, an average of some 60,000 aircraft movements were recorded annually 45,000 by tactical aircraft and 15,000 by the transport aircraft needed for deployment. To simplify and accelerate aircraft refueling, the HRS (hydrant refueling system)  was installed in the 1980san installation that, with its 51 refueling points, was the largest in the world when it was put into operation in 1986. This system, which is still unique in Europe because of the number of available pantographs, permits the safe and efficient refueling of a large number of aircraft directly on the parking platforms  and without needing the use of refueling trucks. By minimizing the refueling times the HRS enabled preparing the fighter aircraft quickly for subsequent sorties, thereby considerably increasing flight safety. In November 1986, the ban on air combat between dissimilar aircraft was lifted for Italian pilots. The first “legal” simulated air combat involving Italian pilots took place at the ACMI firing range of Decimomannu between British Sea Harriers and Italian F-104s from the Grazzanise air base. With the end of the Cold war, the dissolution or return home of a large part of the North American flying units stationed in Europe changed the base and adapted it to new circumstances; in the course of the 1990s, first USAFE (1991) and then the RAF (1998) left the base.

Deployment of aircraft in the main parking

A pantograph HRS (Hydrant refuelling System) for refueling next to a Tornado AMI

Following the reunification of eastern and western Germany, a German Air Force unit equipped with MiG-29s (taken over from EGA stocks) deployed for the first time to Decimomannu in 1991. The base thus became the first one ever where a simulated fight between jet aircraft from the armed forces of the former Warsaw Pact and from NATO was officially conducted. Despite the world-wide geopolitical transformations that have intervened since then, the necessity to ensure an excellent training for pilots, aircrews and ground support personnel remains relevant. Although the aircraft used and the simulated sorties have changed, the defense of peace is still at the core of each flight. Since 1998, only the German and Italian air forces remain represented in the AWTI, which continues the AWTI special training operations with new electronic systems that have turned it into a state-of-the-art facility. Italy and the reunited Germany co-use the operations-related, training and logistical structures of the AWTI and share its costs 50-to-50 on the basis of a bilateral agreement. With the signing of the new Technical Agreement, the German Air Force has opted to retain the base at Decimomannu that is so important for the training of the German aircraft crews, also in future. After heavy investment in the infrastructure and an IT cable network, the German Air Force has put in place the prerequisites for training on its latest weapon system, the Eurofighter.

By the end of the Cold War to "Deci" have seen situations imaginable in the 80s. Apparently the first fight between ACMI aircraft of NATO and a former Warsaw Pact took place right here.

More over, there is no lack of participation by other nations’ air forces, which conduct training operations on the basis of temporary international cooperation agreements. Also received are air forces from nations not belonging to the Nord Atlantic Pact such as the IAF (Israeli Air Force) and, since 1985, the  Swiss Air Force. Likewise, medium- and large-scale national and international air force exercises  are conducted on a regular basis: Display Determination, Dragon Hammer, Mace, TLP,  Imperial Hammer, Spring Flag, etc. Alenia, too, maintains own permanent facilities at the base  in order to  ensure support of the prototypes that are used for test cycles for the certification of armaments projects at the Salto di Quirra firing range. The units use helicopters of the type AB-212 from the 670th SAR Squadron.  They are needed not only for supporting the activities of the base but also for national air rescue and special activities of the Civil Protection Service for the benefit of the population. The flying unit was activated on 8 January 1961 with the designation Squadriglia CAT (CAT squadron) and equipped with Bell 47-J3s  with wooden rotors and one Macchi M416 with fixed landing gear; added in the years 1962-63 were three Texan T6s, one C45 Beechcraft and another three Bell 47-J3 helicopters equipped with a stretcher for ground rescue. Later on, the CAT squadron also received three AB-204s. On 1 February 1967, the unit was redesignated as 670th Rescue and Liaison Squadron. In 1979, it was the first Italian unit to be equipped with the helicopter AB-212, FOTO in the special “AWTI” configuration, with the aircraft being purchased by the user nations of the base. Because of its special assignment, the 670th Squadron is the only one in Italy that renders support with a 15-minute notice-to-move  for possible recovery of aircraft crews training at the AWTI. From 1961 until today, the squadron had to recover and transport no fewer than 45 crew members from various nations.

A Tornado IDS is prepared for a new mission

AB212 AWTI engaged in relief operation

"Speedy" a Badge of 670° Squadron SAR

 A short time ago (in August 2009) remotely controlled aircraft  were deployed at the air base. With the landing of the unmanned General Atomics aircraft “Predator” in Decimomannu, Italy has become the only nation in Europe that has developed the capability of “remotely controlled” employment of this type of aircraft. There were also numerous visits to the AWTI by famous persons such as  the one by Queen Elisabeth II (24 April 1961), or  Pope John Paul II (18 October 1985), and others. Another pleasant occasion was the visit in 1983 of the German defense minister accompanied by the national soccer team that had become number two in the world at the 1982 Soccer World Championship won by Italy’s team.  Equally famous individuals used the base as a landing spot over the years. From 1955 until today, some 400 different units from 22 nations deployed to Decimomannu with some 170 different types of aircraft, including rare and special models. Since then, in a total of 2,500,000 aircraft movements only some 60 aircraft  were destroyed in flight accidents, in which 24 members of flying crews from various nations lost their lives, commemorated in the ecumenical church at the firing range in Capo Frasca.

The top five countries that most worked in Decimomannu

COMMANDERS'  R.S.S.T.A. DECIMOMANNU

PILOT

DATE

 PHOTO

?

T33 - MB326 -SM79-F84

02/10/1996  07/10/1998

SF260 -  T38 - TORNADO IDS -

UNIT OF THE ITALIAN AIR FORCE THAT OPERATION  FROM 1940 TO 1943

First Unit ever to operate from Decimomannu, we are in 1940. 32 Wing was formed by 39, 89 Gruppo with 49 and 50 Squadron. The aircraft was the SM79 and SM82, with the role of terrestrial bombardment, assault and anti-ship torpedo. The theater of operations was mainly Tunisia

  PATCH OF 32    STORMO

Active Decimomannu by settembre1941. The decorated 36 Stormo was formed by 108 and 109 Gruppo with 256, 257, 258, 259 Squadron. The aircraft SM79 and SM84, were operating with the role of convoy escort and anti-ship attack. The theater of operations the Mediterranean Sea.

PATCH OF 36 STORMO

PATCH OF 108   GRUPPO

Operating from june 26 1942 in Decimomannu. The 274 Squadron is equipped aircraft Autonomous Piaggio P108B. Its role is to attack anti-ship and the bombing at night. The theater of operations is the Mediterranean Sea.

Decimomannu operational since August 1942. The 46th Wing is formed by 104  and 105 Squadron with 254 and 255 Squadriglia, equipped the aircraft with the role of the SM79 torpedo. The operating theater and the Mediterranean Sea.

          PATCH OF 46° STORMO

The famous 132 ° Squadron has begun to operate from Decimomannu in November 1942. Its squadriglie  were the 278 and 281, with the aircraft SM79. The Squadron operates in the Mediterranean Sea with the role of torpedo.

PATCH OF 278 SQUADRIGLIA

Unit hunting land for 54 Stormo was formed by 153 Squadron, with 372, 373 , 374 Squadriglia. In defense of Sardinia from November 1942 worked with the Macchi MC202.

PATCH OF 54  STORMO

PATCH OF 153  GRUPPO

Other famous Unit, 1 Wing was in charge of the Macchi MC202. His Squadron 17th was formed by 71, 72, and 80 Squadriglia. His role, mainly anti-ship assault, she saw him operate mostly on the coast of Algeria. Redeployed in Decimomannu since November 1942.

       PATCH OF 1    STORMO

Decimomannu operational since April 1943, 41 Autonomous Squadron  was formed by 205 Squadron. With the SM79, is engaged in the assault role antiship the Mediterranean Sea.

      PATCH OF 41    GRUPPO

The Picchiatello so nicknamed him JU87D-3, arrived in Decimomannu in May 1943. Mediterranean operated mostly in night bombing. With the 207 and 237 Squadriglia formed the 103 Squadron.

PATCH OF 237 SQUADRIGLIA

Operational Decimomannu 15 February 1943. The 37th Wing was formed by 55  Gruppo with 22, and the 220 Squadron. The aircraft was Cannot Z1007 Bis and operates with the role of armed reconnaissance. the Mediterranean Sea and Algeria.

    PATCH OF 37    STORMO

The Reggiane RE2001 of 160  Autonomous Squadron was formed by 393  and 394 Squadron. Sent Decimomannu in March 1943, the department always operated on the Mediterranean with the task of hunting land, escort and assault.

 PATCH OF 160  GRUPPO

UNIT OF THE LUFTWAFFE WICH OPERATED FROM 1940 TO 1943

Heinkel HE111 of KG26. The Unit consisted of three Staffel that operated separately on three different fronts. The I / KG26 operated as a unit from Decimomannu torpedo bomber.

  PATCH OF KG 26

UNIT OF THE U.S. ARMY AIR FORCE WICH OPERATED FROM 1943 TO 1944

B26C of the 319  Bomber Group was formed by 437  - 438  - 439  440 Sq.

PATCH OF319  BOMBER GROUP

The B26C Marauder of the 441 Squadron - 320 Bomber Group 42 Wing. The other squadrons were the 441 - 443 - 444.

PATCH OF 320  BOMBER GROUP

UNIT  OF AERONAUTICA MILITARE THAT OPERATED FROM 1960 TO TODAY

First with T33 and following the MB326, the CSSTA utilize these aircraft in various roles until the end of the 80.

PATCH OF C.S.S.T.A.

The 670th Rescue Squadron  becomes operational in 1961 with the helicopter Augusta / Bell AB47-J3. Currently has AB212-AWTI.

PATCH OF 670^ SQUADRIGLIA