The first upgrade works on the facilities at the 37th Wing in Trapani are ready. The new soft-shelters, intended for the housing and maintenance of EF-2000 aircraft, have been inaugurated.
Friday 29 September, at the air force base of 37th Fighter Wing, Trapani Birgi, the new Soft-Shelters building of the 18th Flying Group was inaugurated. Attending the inauguration ceremony were Brigadier General Mario Sciandra, Head of the Infrastructure Service of the Air Force Logistics Command. and Colonel Antonio Giura, Commander of the 3rd Air Force Engineering Department of Bari Palese.
The new infrastructure, built by the 3rd Air Force Engineer Regiment and intended for the housing and maintenance of EF-2000 aircraft in use, is part of a series of modernisation and optimisation works planned at the military base.
Following a welcome from Colonel Daniele Donati, Commander of the 37th Wing, with the participation of Brigadier General Mauro Gnutti, Head of the 6th Department of the Air Force Staff., the delegation proceeded to the “Romeo” square, in front of the newly built facility, where, after the inauguration ribbon-cutting ceremony, a religious blessing was given by the base's military chaplain, Father Giuseppe Maniscalco.
Immediately afterwards, Colonel Giura took the floor and thanked the personnel of the 16th Field Engineer Group of the 3rd Air Force Engineers Department. for having determinedly completed complex work, highlighting how the synergies between the professionals of the 3rd AM Engineer Department and the 37th Wing made it possible to carry out the aforementioned work in full compliance with operational requirements.
Colonel Daniele Donati then spoke, highlighting how the new infrastructure represents the first of major works to be carried out in the coming months at the Trapani Birgi military airport, echoing the words of Air Squad General Giancotti “...We are a team of teams and only their synergistic and proactive action leads to the achievement of objectives.”.
Finally, Brigadier General Mario Sciandra, in his speech, wished to dedicate words of appreciation to all the personnel involved in the various and complex site activities, for the excellent work carried out so far and for the professionalism shown in all phases of the work.
At the end of the day, the delegation carried out a tour of the entire building and the adjacent, recently expanded yard, during which the Site Manager, Lieutenant Felice Cianfana, explained the various techniques and materials used for their construction.
It 3rd Air Force Engineers Department., under the dependency of AM Logistics Command., Awarded honours such as the Bronze Medal of Aeronautical Merit and the “ICARO 2018” Badge of Honour, it finalises studies, designs, procurements and works execution necessary to ensure the availability and efficiency of infrastructures used by the Air Force and NATO. Through the subordinate 16th Field Engineer Group and the Detached Technical Infrastructure Services, it oversees the construction and extraordinary maintenance of all airport infrastructures and technological systems, both contracted out and using its own personnel and equipment, in support of the flying units of the Air Force in Southern Italy, including Sicily. Furthermore, in a joint forces context, it contributes, with its own personnel and equipment, to the establishment of mobile infrastructural operational support components, both nationally and abroad, in compliance with commitments arising from international agreements, providing support to Civil Protection in the event of natural disasters, where requested.
