A large public turnout for the Italian Air Force Centenary celebrations at the Milan-Linate military airport open day
Adults and children queuing even before nine o'clock, the time the base gates opened, ready to immerse themselves in an unfamiliar reality and tackle an intense journey through exhibition areas, interactive activities and static displays of military vehicles and aircraft, to take part in rapid and progressive technological progress made by the Italian Air Force in its 100 years of history.
Over 7,000 the enthusiasts and onlookers who crowded the airport to see the numerous aircraft deployed and many military vehicles, of which many historians, to participate in numerous interactive activities, try the flight simulators, admire the performance of components operational, technological and logistical of the Italian Air Force and much more.
An event, a party, in which it was possible experience firsthand the operational and deployment realities of the Armed Force, to engage with military personnel and get in touch with the activities carried out daily by the Italian Air Force.
Advert welcome the public lots pilots, technicians e Armed Forces specialists what is wrong with them told passionate about it own daily work expressing the values that guide them in carrying out important defence services of the country and to favour of the citizens.
Everyone in the queue to be able to get on a Tornado, and AMX or one Eurofighter to experience for a brief moment the thrill of being at the controls of an Italian Air Force jet.
Also achieving great success were the helicopters like the HH-101 close air support for Special Operations and Personnel Recovery or’HH-139 which, thanks to the professional skills of the crews, carry out search and rescue operations, in conditions of often critical weather, intervening also in disaster relief like the recent floods in Emilia-Romagna.
But it was also an opportunity to meet other capabilities of the Italian Air Force How was the visit to’Institute of Aerospace Medicine, the equipment used by 1st Engineer Regiment and the special vehicles of 3rd Wing of Villafranca (VR), to switch to the technologies used by 1st Telecommunications Technical Unit or the meeting with the air traffic controllers of the Linate Italian Air Force Coordination and Control Services.
It Air Squad General Francesco Vestito, Commander of the 1st Air Region, wanted to emphasise: “In the year of the celebration of the Centenary of the Italian Air Force, numerous events have been organised across the country to share the history and present of a dynamic Armed Force with the Italian people, one that serves the community and has a strong proclivity for technological innovation. Milan and Lombardy, to which we are historically and deeply attached, could certainly not be missing from this important anniversary. The huge turnout of the public today makes me proud to lead men and women who daily and silently serve the country and its citizens.
It Colonel Andrea Rossi, Commander of the Linate Military Airport it means: “Opening the doors of our department is always a great thrill; the enthusiastic turnout from the public amply rewards the work we carry out every day here at Linate. We are engaged on multiple fronts—I remember in particular the support provided for emergency medical transport or, as during the Covid period, for biocontainment transport. It is a great source of pride for all of us to be at the service of the country.
The aerial patrol also took part in the event WeFly! Team, made up of pilots with disabilities, the day also featured the opening of the Aero Arch exhibition. Organised thanks to the dedication of a number of members of the Fidenza Air Force Association, the exhibition showcases a hundred years of architecture and construction dedicated to flight.
