[Electronic translation of Italian language press release]

It ‘began Oct. 4 and will run until 13, the transfer with a C-17 aircraft of the U.S. Air Force three- EH-101 helicopters that the Navy should operate in Afghanistan to support the operations of the NATO-led force, known as ISAF – International Security and Assistance Force.

The mission, which will last twelve months, is in support of the Italian Command of the western sector, to Herat, oriented assistance and reconstruction. The helicopters of the Navy to carry out surveillance, patrols, convoys and support the handling of sensitive personal deterrence, medical evacuation.

The staff and facilities of the Navy in Afghanistan will be a Task Group, called Shark, consisting of three medium helicopters EH-101 with a properly configured system of self protection and night vision, a group of 67 military personnel including crews of skilled and qualified for night flying with viewers, a technical team of specialists qualified to the maintenance of the machinery of a small core staff with tasks in the field of operational support, administrative / logistical and medical team and a rifle with the tasks of the San Marco Regiment protection and security.

The sending of the EH-101 helicopters, scheduled for some time, wanted to give effect to the address by the Minister of Defence to provide the Italian contingent in Afghanistan to increased mobility and security, in order to reduce land transport. It ‘s the first mission in the theater for this type of helicopters, but the Air Force Navy have operated in Afghanistan.