An Italian naval aircraft carrier group docked in Table Bay Harbour on Wednesday as part of its maritime security, humanitarian and commercial trade mission.
The 30th Naval Group, commanded by Rear Admiral Paolo Treu, is composed of the aircraft carrier Cavour (CVH550), supply ship Etna (A5326) and frigate Bergamini (F590). The Group left Italy on 13 November accompanied by the patrol ship Borsini (P491) and proceeded via the Suez Canal and the Persian Gulf down the east coast of Africa. Circumnavigating Africa, they are due to return to Civitavecchia in Italy on 7 April. The trip will have covered 36 000km (18 000 nm) over five months and 19 countries.
The patrol ship Borsini will not be accompanying the Group for the rest of the mission as she was detached in Maputo to cooperate with the Mozambican Navy for two months.
Titled “A Country on the Move”, the task of the Group, according to Treu, is “a very complex mission where we are trying to do many different things, putting together several capabilities. We need to train at sea,” Treu told defenceWeb, “We are here for cooperation with other navies for competence building. We are trying to provide our experience in the maritime security field (to) other navies, we are here for diplomacy support for the foreign affair policy of our country. And we are here also for promoting our industry.”
These varied tasks include traditional naval roles such as training in a tropical climate and open seas, interacting with other navies and conducting maritime security operations.
Besides offering support for inter-governmental meetings and for the development of international cooperation, the Naval Group visits are geared towards the promotion of “Italian entrepreneurial excellence” through a Made in Italy Exposition on board the Cavour.
A large portion of the hanger deck has been transformed into exhibition space and exhibitors, who have sponsored the cruise, have set up exhibition stands. The exhibitors range from large defence contractors to commercial furniture manufactures.
“But a very important mission we have in Africa is the humanitarian assistance mission,” Treu is quick to add.
The Italian Navy is focusing on the important humanitarian assistance mission and this is being conducted in cooperation with various non-profit associations.
Volunteer plastic surgeons of Operation Smile are using the capable surgery rooms aboard the carrier to correct cleft palates of hundreds of African children, allowing them to smile for the first time.
Doctors from the RAVA Foundation are aboard the supply ship Etna and supply free glasses to infants and children.
Personnel from the Italian Red Cross and Red Crescent, integrated military and civilian medical personnel, are working in the hospitals onboard the Cavour and Etna.
In addition, working teams of volunteer sailors visit schools, orphanages and hospitals, fixing machinery, building wooden structures and restoring buildings.
With typical Italian flair, Treu says that “in Africa there are a lot of areas where there are a lot of people in difficulties. We therefore want to show the big heart of the Italian people in addition to our capabilities in the industrial and military field.”
“We like to do our job with passion, with love,” he continued, “this is part of being Italian.”
Plans for the Group to exercise with the South African Navy and Air Force whilst transiting the southern Cape on Tuesday were cancelled. However, the Italians are still discussing this aspect with their South African counterparts and there is still the possibility of the two countries interacting at and under sea and in the air when the Group leaves Cape Town on 10 February. The Italian Navy is also hoping to use some of the South African weapon ranges.
Following the visit to Cape Town, the Naval Group will continue their circumnavigation of the African continent, visiting Luanda in Angola next.
Due to the combined military/civilian nature of the Naval Group, the Cavour carries fewer aircraft. These include at least five AV-8B Harrier V/STOL (vertical/short take-off and landing) jets, three EH101 medium-lift helicopters and an AB212 maritime helicopter. The supply ship Etna is also equipped with an EH101 helicopter, whilst the frigate Bergamini carries a NH90 maritime helicopter. The Naval Group comprises 1 200 sailors and marines, including about 100 women.
Whilst docked in Cape Town, only the frigate Bergamini will be open to the public, from 10:00 to 17:00 (last entrance will be at 15:00). The frigate is moored at Jetty 2, V&A Waterfront.
