32nd Wing (Italy)

The 32nd Wing has a two-pronged history: a period in preparation and during the World War II, and a period during and after the Cold War. 1937-1943: Italian Royal Air Force The 32nd Wing was established on 1 December 1936 at the airport of Cagliari Elmas. On 24 February 1937 the Wing was reunited in Elmas. Main war actions include attacks on Gibraltar where, on 8 May 1941, died Captain Armando Boetto, commander of the 49th Flight, to which the 32nd Wing is dedicated. Captain Armando Boetto's memory was awarded a Gold Medal of Military Valor. After this period, the 32nd Wing was renamed as 32nd Torpedo-bomber Wing and in late 1941 received first exemplars of Savoia-Marchetti SM.84. 1967-present: Italian Air Force The 32nd Wing was reestablished on 10 September 1967 in Brindisi, with the role of fighter-bomber and reconnaissance. The 32nd Wing consisted of the 13th Squadron Fighters-Bombers-Reconnaissance (CBR in Italian acronym) with 76th, 77th, and 78th Flights. In 1999 the 32nd Wing was dedicated to Pilot Captain Armando Boetto. ==Organization==

As of 1 July 2025 the 32nd Wing consists of the following units: • '32° Stormo "Armando Boetto"''''', at Amendola Air Base • 13th Squadron — F-35A Lightning II • 28th UAV Squadron — MQ-9A Predator B • 101st Squadron — F-35B Lightning II • 432nd Technical Services Squadron • 532nd Logistic Services Squadron • 932nd Maintenance Squadron • 632nd Liaison Flight — MB-339A and MB-339CDII for UAV-pilot training • Force Protection Squadron • Aeronautical Detachment Jacotenente ==Coat of arms==

When the 32nd Wing was established in 1936, the unit's insignia depicted a mosquito launching a grenade. Nowadays the coat of arms features a dark eagle with downward talons, ready to hit the prey. ==Notes and references==