Force started the phased retirement of their G.222 fleet. Several of the former Italian Air Force G.222s have been refurbished to operational conditions and resold by Alenia Aermacchi, the Nigerian Air Force became the first customer for these refurbished aircraft. In September 2008, Alenia North America was awarded a USAF contract to upgrade and refurbish 18 G.222s, to be transferred to and used by the Afghan Air Force. Ballistic protection, adaptations for serving in the conditions of Afghanistan, and many new avionics systems, including a digital auto-pilot, were installed; two aircraft were also configured for VIP transport duties. On 28 April 2010, the first two of the Afghan Air Force's recently delivered G.222s made their first public display during the Mujahideen Victory Day. In January 2013, the USAF decided not to renew the support contract for the Afghan fleet due to claimed serviceability issues and operational difficulties; Alenia responded, stating that the fleet was exceeding the requirements laid out by the USAF, with 10–12 aircraft available for operations against the requirement for six. The 16 G.222s delivered to Afghanistan were scrapped in the summer of 2014 by the Defense Logistics Agency. After the U.S. spent $486 million to buy 20 C-27As, 16 were sold as scrap to an Afghan construction company for about $32,000; the planes were reportedly scrapped "to minimize impact on drawdown of U.S. forces in Afghanistan." The four remaining aircraft are stored at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, with the U.S. seeking other interested buyers. From January to September 2012, the Afghan C-27A fleet flew only 234 out of 4,500 required hours. Variants G.222TCM Initial designation, two prototypes for the Italian Air Force G.222A Standard transport version for the Italian Air Force G.222RM (Radiomisura - "radio measurements")- radio/radar calibration aircraft G.222SAA (Sistema Aeronautico Antincendio - "aeronautical fire-fighting system") - fire-fighter equipped for dumping water or fire retardant chemicals. Four built for Italian Air Force. G.222T Version powered by the Rolls-Royce Tyne for the Libyan Air Force. Sometimes designated G.222L. G.222VS (Versione Speciale - "special version") ECM version - two built for Italian Air Force. Sometimes designated G.222GE. C-27A Spartan Ten G.222s purchased for the United States Air Force. C-27J Spartan See Alenia C-27J Spartan. Operators Current operators Nigerian Air Force received 5 aircraft during 1984–85. Alenia Aeronautica is updating these aircraft. 1 ex-Italian Air Force aircraft ordered in 2008. Somali Air Corps received 4 aircraft. Tunisian Air Force