Giornata Azzurra 2008 preview: first pics of the tactical event's rehearsal

One of the most interesting air display of the Giornata Azzurra 2008, that will be held at Pratica di Mare airport on May 24-25, is a tactical event lasting around 40 minutes and involving almost all the assets in the Italian Air Force Orbat (Order of Battle). The simulated action will see the Tornado and AMX formations, covered by F-2000 Eurofighters in sweep role, attacking the airport (located along the border between two fighting countries) in order to neutralize the enemy air defenses. Then the airport will be taken by the Italian Special Forces carried by 2 HH-3F and 1 AB.212 and prepared for the arrival of the C-27J and C-130J carring the personnel, materials and equipments needed for the logistical support of the Forward Operating Base. The base will be then readied for the arrival of the other allied aircraft operating under the UN flag.
Giovanni Maduli went to Pratica di Mare on May 15, to watch the rehearsals of the air display and below you can see some of the pictures he took. Obviously, in a real scenario, there would be no possibility to make rehearsals, but an airshow attended by 200.000 people taking place a few miles from Fiumicino airport requires some safety parameters to be carefully tested. This is the reason why the event was tested on May 15 and will be probably tested again before May 24.