The two Alenia Aeronautica C-27J tactical airlifters deployed to Afghanistan in September 2008 by the Italian Air Force have returned to their base at Pisa AFB following the successful completion of their first major out-of-area deployment. The C-27Js operated within Task Group Albatros, the ITAF component of the Joint Air Task Force (JATF) of the Regional Command West of the NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. The two aircraft replaced the C-130J previously operated from Herat to provide airlift support in the area of operation.