Fitted with dust filters and designated "C.200AS", the "Saetta" saw extensive use in North Africa, greater than any other theatre of action. The Macchi's introduction was not initially well received by pilots when in 1940, the first C.200 unit, 4° "Stormo" replaced the type with the C.R.42. The first combat missions were flown as escorts for Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 bombers attacking Malta in June 1940, where one C.200 was claimed by a Gladiator. On 11 June 1940, second day of war for Italy, the C.200s of 79a "Squadriglia" encountered one of the Sea Gladiators which had been scrambled from Hal Far, Malta. Officer W.J. Wood claimed "Tenente" Giuseppe Pesola had been shot down, but the Italian pilot came back unscathed to his base.