Operation Allied Force. April 1999.
The last Starfighters. Italian Starfighter F-104S of 18 gruppo 37 stormo, Gioia Del Colle Air Base.Lockheed f-104 starfighter.
After over 40 years in service and still operational until the end of 2004, the Italian Starfighter. 18 gruppo 37 stormo.
The last upgrade version seen here in April 1999 as part of NATO "Operation Allied Force" against Serbian aggression in Kosovo.

These are shots of Italian F-104S-ASA/M arrivals and a departure from Gioia Del Colle Air Base, Bari, Italy. Probably a refuelling stop (or temp home) en route between Kosovo and their home base in Sicily.
Squadron markings: 18 Gruppo/37º Stormo Cesare Toschi (37th Wing) based at Trapani, Sicily.

The Aeritalia F-104S Starfighter was a licensed production Italian version of the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, which served in the Italian Air Force (AMI, Aeronautica Militare Italiana). 246 F-104S variants were produced by Fiat and Aeritalia.

F-104S-ASA/M
(Aggiornamento Sistemi d'Arma/Modificato - "Weapon Systems Update/Modified") - 49 F-104S-ASA and 15 two-seat TF-104G aircraft were upgraded from 1998 to ASA/M standard with GPS, new TACAN and Litton LN-30A2 inertial navigation system, refurbished airframe, and improved cockpit displays. All strike-related equipment was removed, and the IRST as well (the small unit known as 'IR-Sight', forward the windshield).

Italy was the last country to retire its F-104s. The last operational Starfighters being withdrawn from combat service in October 2004 (the last unit was 10° Gruppo/9° Stormo, Grazzanise).

Did you know:
The long flat final approaches were typically flown at speeds around 207 mph (333 km/h) depending on the weight of fuel remaining. High engine power had to be maintained on the final approach to ensure adequate airflow for the boundary layer control system (BLCS); consequently pilots were warned not to cut the throttle until the aircraft was actually on the ground. A drag chute and effective brakes shortened the Starfighter's landing roll out.

Video:
Andrew Thomson

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