The Italian helicopter component deployed within the UNIFIL mission has marked 45 years of continuous presence in Southern Lebanon

Naqoura (Lebanon), September 19, 2024. “Celebrating the history of Task Force Italair means honoring a flight unit composed of a close-knit group of individuals who, today as in the past, have made a life choice based on values such as service spirit, loyalty, discipline, and honor. They find the reason for their existence in carrying forward the peace mission under the banners of the United Nations. The presence of this glorious unit in Lebanon is closely linked to the history of UNIFIL, as Italair is one of the oldest units deployed in the land of the cedars. Furthermore, Italair is an important part of the history of the Italian Army, being the longest-serving joint operational unit of the Italian Armed Forces in the context of international missions.”

This was stated by Colonel Maurizio Sabbi, commander of Task Force Italair, during his speech at the commemorative ceremony for the 45th anniversary of the unit's establishment, held at the helicopter base in Naqoura, in the presence of the head of mission and commander of UNIFIL forces, Spanish General Aroldo Lázaro Sáenz, the commander of the Italian contingent and the Western Sector, Brigadier General Stefano Messina, and numerous local authorities.

Originally called the “Italair Helicopter Squadron,” the unit was deployed near the town of Naqoura, in southern Lebanon, on July 3, 1979, to fulfill the requirements of UN Security Council resolutions 425/1978 and 426/1978, which subsequently led to the establishment of UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon), with the mandate to restore peace, international security, and assist the Lebanese government in re-establishing its effective authority over the territory.

Following the escalation of the conflict between Lebanon and Israel in 2006, the United Nations, through resolution 1701 of that year, expanded UNIFIL’s competencies and mandate to monitor the cessation of hostilities between the two countries, assist the Lebanese Armed Forces, and support the local population.

Italair is a joint forces unit that currently operates AB 412 and AB-212 helicopters from the Italian Army Aviation, based at the 2nd Aerial Brigade “Sirio” stationed in Lamezia Terme, employing flight crews and support personnel mainly from the Italian Army, with contributions from the Navy and Air Force.

Established in 1979, it is the longest-serving unit of the Italian Armed Forces in international missions, consistently supporting UN activities in Lebanon with 2 AB-412 and 4 AB-212 helicopters, ensuring daily, 24/7 execution of medical evacuations (casevac/medevac), for which one asset is always on standby within 30 minutes, both day and night. Activities also include firefighting in wooded and rural areas, logistical transport, aerial patrols along the “Blue Line,” the 120-kilometer demarcation line separating Lebanon from Israel, and search and support for the population in the event of natural disasters.

Since July 3, 1979, Italair has completed approximately 46,614 flight hours, transported over 186,577 passengers, and conducted 1,424 medical evacuations. During the ceremony, the fallen members of flight “Charlie Four” on August 6, 1997, were remembered. The tragic incident claimed the lives of three crew members (two pilots—Army Aviation Majors Antonino Sgrò and Giuseppe Parisi—and the specialist technician, First Marshal Massimo Gatti) and two passengers (Carabinieri Brigadier Daniel Forner and Irish Sergeant John Lynch).