History

In the early fifties there were in Europe a lot of Air Force Units from many different Countries (the rebuilt Italian Air Force, German Air Force, Allied Air Forces...). This fact brought about the increase of training requirements. Air to Air and Air to Ground Training require the need to get in very close area a big Air Base, wide State demesne, large areas free from commercial air and maritime traffic and, above all, very good weather condition.

Those requirements do not match the overcrowded reality of Center Europe Area (don't mention the weather conditions), but they are available in the western area of Sardinia island. Italian Air Force decided to get Capo Frasca Aerea in order to establish an Air to Ground Range. It became the ideal place to establish one of the Air Weapon Training Installation (A.W.T.I.) in accordance to NATO plans.

Three different Air Force started with training in the early sixty upon Decimomannu Air Base: Canadian Air Force, which was upon the Base before A.W.T.I establishment, German Air Force and Italian Air Force. In the late sixties The United States Air Force joined the A.W.T.I.

The Canadian Air Force left Deci during 1970 and was replaced by the UK Royal Air Force in 1973.
The Base built in 1955 springtime is located at about 25 Km from Cagliari (chief town of Sardinia) toward NNW direction. It is placed among the towns of Decimomannu, Decimoputzu, San Sperate, Villasor (district of) in the same area where a military airport was operational during WW II

Deci Air Base as Italian Military Base was named Centro Addestramento al Tiro (C.A.T.) and dedicated to Col Pil. Giovanni FARINA - Gold Medal for Military Valour - who sacrificed himself upon Sardinian Sky in June 14 1942.

Deci, Centro Addestramento al Tiro, heir to dissolved Brindisi C.A.T., got by inheritance the Flag during a solemn ceremony in October 23 1969. This Flag is kept inside the Base Commander Office.

On the first of July 1970, Italian Air Force took the decision to change the C.A.T. into the present Reparto Sperimentale e di Standardizzazione al Tiro Aereo (A.W.T.I.)

From: Aeronautica Militare Italiana