Air Maritime Exploration Squadron Guardia di Finanza 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 . Official badge . The 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 . The motto . “ 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 ‘ 50s : the original Air Service had an 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 . On 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 : - seizing 77000 kg of drugs and dozens of tons of smuggled tobaccos ; - spotting and rescuing hundreds of illegal immigrant ships ; - detecting illegal waste dumps ; - repressing sea – pollution phenomena . 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 . The air fleet . " P166 DL3 " It was the first fixed – wing aircraft operating in the GEA in 1990 , fully equipped with sea patrol sensors and systems . Today it ’ s 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 24000 ft , max cruising speed 225 kts , endurance 04 : 00 h / 720 NM . " P166 DP1 " It ’ 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 24000 ft , max cruising speed 210 kts , endurance 05 : 00 h / 950 NM . " ATR 42 MP " It 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 25000 ft , max cruising speed 250 kts , endurance 07 : 00 h / 1300 NM . " P180 “ AVANTI II " It 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 ’ s 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 41000 ft , max cruising speed 350 kts , endurance 04 : 00 h / 1400 NM . Operations . Since the ‘ 90s , 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 . The Squadron ’ s activity in this field took mainly place in Senegal for many years , with the so – called “ HERA ” international operation against illegal immigration from West African coasts to Canary Islands . This phenomenon is currently critical for the EU society and policy , but the GEA proved to be able to face it , meanwhile accomplishing humanitarian and rescue missions . In 2007 , the Squadron played a vital role in a complex operation called “ CENGIZHAN ” , which was the first case of an “ immigration mother – ship ” seizure . Every day , the GEA has to face the endless evolution of the criminal organisations . In international waters , huge foreign “ mother – ships ” operate as fixed and untouchable warehouses , transhipping drugs and smuggled tobaccos on fast motorboats , so that they can “ deliver ” these illegal goods on Italian coasts , with minimal probability of being caught . The GEA fights against this criminal trick using the Right of Pursuit stated by the Montego Bay Convention ( art . 111 ) , this way it scored top results in this field , including : o seizure of a motor ship and 2 . 935 kg of smuggled tobaccos ( operation “ JANET ” - 1999 ) ; o seizure of a fishing ship and 5 . 036 kg of drug ( operation “ TESTA ROSSA ” – 2007 ) ; o seizure of a yacht and 11 . 060 kg of drug , in cooperation with Spanish Police Forces ( operation “ VALIANT ” – 2003 ) ; o seizure of 4 . 166 kg of drug and 10 people arrested ( operation “ OMBRA ” , entirely accomplished by GEA personnel ) . 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 . The P166 DL3 is equipped with a special sensor , called “ Daedalus ” , which is able to lock heat and light reflection differences , indicating probable presence of polluting substance . As a good example of this capability , the GEA joined an international mission after the “ Aegean Sea ” tanker shipwreck , in 1992 , playing a vital role in searching and finding oil – polluted areas . The GEA has at its disposal several “ Speciality Instructors ” , who are pilots enabled to carry out young pilots ’ final training . Nowadays , with cost - control policies , pilots are “ on job trained ” , that is they complete their training while effectively flying operational missions . Because of the aircraft and system complexity , GEA personnel often join international shows ( such as in Malaysia , France , UK , Malta ) , increasing the Italian Aeronautical industry international fame . These industries , as GEA pilots ’ and operators ’ professional level is extremely high , often use them for test flights and certification activities , such as the temperature limits for P166 DP1 engine ignition test in Finland . In everyday activity , the Squadron ’ s activity ranges from Police patrol to humanitarian missions , proving that the versatility is one of the best GEA ’ s qualities , as a powerful means of protection of Economical , Financial and humanitarian interests of the European Union .