The Italian Air Force has recently conducted training activity on frozen runway at Bardufoss, Norway, with a C-27J, pilots and crews belonging to the 98° Gruppo (Squadron) of the 46^ Brigata Aerea (Air Brigade).
It was the first time that the Spartan was involved in this kind of training, previously undertaken by the Italian C-130Js and G-222s, whose purpose is to acquire or keep cold weather environment ops as well as “slippery runway surface landing and take off” currencies required to operate in the current out-of-area scenarios as Afghanistan and Kosovo.
Actually, the capability to operate on frozen runways can be important during domestic activities as well: when snow storms and icing conditions prevent normal flight operations, the ability to reach certain remote airfields can allow the supply of relief goods such as food, water and medicines.
Image credit: 46^ Brigata Aerea
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