An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Dec. 30, 2019

Kentucky Air Guard provides airlift in Italy for Mangusta 19

By Airman 1st Class Chloe Ochs 123rd Airlift Wing

PISA, Italy – More than 35 Airmen and two C-130 Hercules aircraft from the Kentucky Air National Guard's 123rd Airlift Wing provided airlift for U.S. and Italian airdrop operations throughout exercise Mangusta 19 Oct. 28 to Nov. 7.

The Italian bilateral national exercise promotes readiness and interoperability among NATO allies and strengthens the strategic partnership between the United States and Italy, officials said.

Mangusta 19 incorporated members from the Italian Air Force, paratroopers from the Italian Army and members of the U.S. Marine Corps from the Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 to train alongside the Kentucky Guard members.

Master Sgt. Charlie Wilding, a parachute rigger and the 123rd's lead logistics non-commissioned officer in charge, described his interactions with the Italian Army rigging force as a mutual learning experience.

"We taught them how we do it, but then took certain things away from them that we'll definitely be implementing at home," said Wilding, an air transportation specialist with the 123rd. "The language barrier made it a bit difficult at the beginning, but once we started to rig, it seemed like the job itself had its own language, and we didn't need to talk that much. It was very nice to work with them. They're good people."

In addition to building cohesiveness and tactical understanding, the exercise also provided a training opportunity for Kentucky's traditional Guard members, according to Tech. Sgt. Chris McCord, a crew chief with the 123rd Maintenance Group.

"The best opportunities for me to learn my job proficiently are on the road," McCord explained. "I take these trips to spend time learning my job and becoming more and more comfortable with it. Repetition is what I need to be able to get it down."

Mangusta 19 exemplifies how the U.S. works side-by-side with NATO allies, training to meet security challenges as a unified force, said Maj. Scott Benningfield, the 123rd's air mission commander. The training contributed to developing and improving air readiness and is significant in maintaining security, he added, calling the exercise extremely valuable.

"We learned so much through our direct integration with the Italians," said Benningfield, a navigator in the wing's 165th Airlift Squadron. "It was good to see how other places operate."

 

 

Related Articles
Photo of medical training during a Port Subject Matter Expert Exchange at the Port of Laem Chabang, Thailand, August 20, 2025. (Courtesy Photo)
Washington Guard Continues Strengthening Relationship at Thailand’s Port of Laem Chabang
By Joseph Siemandel, | Sept. 30, 2025
CAMP MURRAY, Wash. - Four members of the Washington National Guard partnered recently with more than 170 employees from the Port of Laem Chabang, Thailand, to continue improving the port’s all-hazard response as part of the...

Leaders and attendees from the Hawai‘i National Guard, Guam National Guard and Armed Forces of the Philippines gather for a group photo during the 25th anniversary celebration of the State Partnership Program between the Hawai‘i National Guard and the AFP at Clark Air Base, Philippines, Sept. 25, 2025. The Hawai‘i Guard and AFP launched the Indo-Pacific’s first State Partnership in 2000, marking 25 years of cooperation in training, disaster response and regional security.
25 Years Strong: Hawai‘i Guard and Philippines Celebrate Enduring Partnership
By Master Sgt. Mysti Bicoy, | Sept. 30, 2025
CLARK AIR BASE, Philippines — Cheers, handshakes and shared stories filled the air Sept. 23–25 as the Hawai‘i National Guard and Armed Forces of the Philippines celebrated 25 years of partnership — a bond that has endured...

Oklahoma National Guard leaders and Italian representatives unveil a plaque at the former headquarters of the 45th Infantry Division during WWII in Venafro, Italy, Sept. 8, 2025. A delegation of Oklahoma National Guard members and veterans toured key locations from the 45th Infantry Division’s campaign in Italy against German forces during World War II, continuing the development of the Thunderbird Trail. The initiative is aimed at preserving the Division's role in World War II through a memorial trail tracing its footsteps through Italy, France and Germany, ensuring their sacrifices are never forgotten. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Danielle Rayon)
Thunderbird Trail: Preserving Sacrifice, Strengthening Connection for Oklahoma Guard
By Sgt. Danielle Rayon, | Sept. 29, 2025
ITALY – Standing among rows of white marble headstones at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial, Soldiers of the Oklahoma National Guard bent to place sand from the beaches of Anzio into the carved names of...