The Air–Sea Exploration Squadron (“G.E.A. – Gruppo Esplorazione Aeromarittima” in the original language) is a special flight squadron of the Italian Guardia di Finanza (often abbreviated in GdF).Its base is the military airport of Pratica di Mare, near Rome, and it's the only fixed-wing-aircraft flight squadron of the GdF Air Service. For this reason, it can be considered the diamond point of the long-range GdF air fleet.
thumb|BY ROSTRUM AND TALONThe official badge represents the fight between the GdF Air Service (the Griffin, main symbol of the GdF all along) and the criminal organisations operating across the sea (the Hydra); the powerful yellow sunbeams symbolize light's superiority over darkness, that is the good victory against the evil.
“Con il rostro e con l’artiglio!” (translated: “by rostrum and talon!”) is the GEA's motto, which can be referred to the Griffin as well: it's an encouragement to fight against the evil by every possible means (rostrum and talon are Griffin's infallible weapons).The GdF has used aircraft against maritime criminal organisations since the 1950s: the original Air Service had a helicopter – only air fleet. Year by year, though, the increasing operational aims in sea patrolling made a dedicated fixed – wing aircraft fleet necessary for the GdF.For this reason, on August 1, 1991, the Aviation Center Air Squadron was created, and Lt.Col. Antonino Sarica was designated as its first Commander. At first, the squadron fleet consisted only of Piaggio P166DL3 (accomplishing several high tasks as well), but the 1996 update introduced the ATR 42 MP, which was able to extend the squadron's operating range, in new international dimensions too. The squadron changed definitively its name in GEA on January 1, 2000.In January 2009 the squadron recently reached the 40.000 flight hours important goal: most hours are recorded as operational, and they led to a lot of police results, such as:
On February, 2007, the GEA air fleet was furthermore updated, with the implementation of the Piaggio P180 as a fast strategic / tactical air transport, both within Italy and abroad.Col. PIL Camillo Passalacqua is the current GEA Commander.
"P166 DL3"thumb|Piaggio P166-DL3It was the first fixed-wing aircraft operating in the GEA in 1990, fully equipped with sea patrol sensors and systems. Today it is mainly used for training purposes: GdF military pilots complete their pilot school on this aircraft, at the ITAF 70° Wing.
Dimensions: wingspan 14.69 m, length 12.38 m, height 5 m, MTOW 4300 kg, weight capacity 1100 kg, crew 2 pilots / 1 system operator / 1 crew chief, passengers 8.Performances: service ceiling 24,000 ft, max cruising speed 225 kn, endurance 4 h / 720 NM.
"P166 DP1"thumb|Piaggio P166-DP1It's the P166 DL3 update result, with improved avionics, engines and mission systems. The estimated 4 years delivery will consist of 10 aircraft.
Dimensions: wingspan 14.69 m, length 12.39 m, height 5 m, MTOW 4500 kg, weight capacity 1390 kg, crew 2 pilots / 1 system operator / 1 crew chief, passengers 3.Performances: service ceiling 24,000 ft, max cruising speed 210 kn, endurance 5 h / 950 NM.
"ATR 42 MP"thumb|ATR 42-MPIt joined the GEA fleet in 1996, and it's the main vector for long range sea patrol. The GEA currently has 4 ATRs available, 2 of which are re-powered versions (ATR 42 MP 500), and can count on them for various tasks (patrol, transport, medevac, SAR) as they can be easily reset up. With its cutting edge systems (called ATOS), the ATR can investigate on ships without being seen.
Dimensions: wingspan 24.57 m, length 22.67 m, height 7.75 m, MTOW 18600 kg, weight capacity 4800 kg, crew 2 pilots / 2 system operators / 1 crew chief, passengers 48.Performances: service ceiling 25,000 ft, max cruising speed 250 kn, endurance 7 h / 1300 NM.
"P180 “AVANTI II"thumb|Piaggio P-180It is the most recent aircraft in the GdF Air Service: the P180 had an enormous success in civil aviation for its high performance with minimums handling costs. It is equipped with cutting-edge avionics “Proline 21”, and the GEA has at its disposal 2 exemplars to use for tactical support in operations.
Dimensions: wingspan 13.84 m, length 14.41 m, height 3.98 m, MTOW 5232 kg, weight capacity 1919 kg, crew 2 pilots / 1 crew chief, passengers 9.Performances: service ceiling 41,000 ft, max cruising speed 350 kn, endurance 4 h / 1400 NM.
Since the 1990s, the GEA has led the Italian Guardia di Finanza beyond the EU limits, accomplishing several missions including support of the other EU countries in patrolling their edges. Many national and international high personalities appreciated hard work and excellent results of the men on duty at the squadron. The results range from illegal immigration and unlawful traffic, to environmental police and humanitarian missions.
Today, the Atlantic Ocean is part of operative scenery of Air Maritime Exploration Squadron in his fight against traffic of drug. Two important operations were completed last year, with the coordination of Maritime Analysis And Operation Center of Lisbon: the first, the historical "Operation Albatross", February 2009, ended with the seizure record of more of 5,500 kg of cocaine and the capture of 5 people; the second, "Operation Devop", December 2009, which allowed the capture of 7 people and the seizure of 1000 kg of cocaine, hidden on board the ship "Destiny Empress", a former Canadian Coast Guard Vessel previously known as the CCGS Parizeau.