On January 16, 1991, coalition forces began concentrated air strikes on Iraqi military targets in Iraq and Kuwait.

On January 18, 1991, an Italian Panavia Tornado, piloted by Major Gianmarco Bellini, with Captain Maurizio Cocciolone as his navigator, took off as part of a multi national 48 planes squadron.

Bellini and Cocciolone were the only members of the squadron able to execute in-flight refueling, while the other 47 aircraft failed and had to abort.

Cocciolone appeared to be speaking under extreme duress, and his face showed signs of physical abuse.

Released by Iraq on March 3, 1991, Bellini and Cocciolone were the only Italian POWs captured during the entire war.