The ceremony for the awarding of 3rd Class Marshal ranks was held on Thursday, 23 November, presided over by the Commander of Air Force Schools / 3rd Air Region.
Thursday 23 November 2023 at hangar S100 of the Italian Air Force NCO School/Viterbo Airport Command, the ceremony for the awarding of ranks was held. Third Class Marshal to the 88 attendees of the 24th Helios II Course.
The ceremony, which took place in the presence of religious, civil, and military authorities from Viterbo and the families and friends of the newly promoted, was presided over by the Commander of the Air Force Schools/3rd Air Region, Air Chief Marshal Silvano Frigerio.
The event was opened by Colonel Dario Ricci's address, Course Commander, after greeting those present and thanking the staff of the Training Command for the training activity carried out for the personnel of Course Elios II, addressing the newly promoted, he highlighted how “The degree you receive represents a milestone marking the start of your professional career. From today, you will no longer be cadets, but will be fully-fledged, permanently serving Marshals of the Air Force. With your entry into permanent service, the uniform you wear will become your second skin: Take care of it, adorn it and defend it.”
Following this, the ceremony moved into full swing with the blessing of the ranks and sabres, which was then followed by the reading of the Aviator's Prayer. This was the first moving moment of the day, and it served as a prelude to the presentation of the ranks and sabres by the attending authorities to some particularly deserving cadets. The occasion was duly sealed, as is tradition, by the presentation to the leading cadet of the sword of honour, bearing the engraving of a rose – the symbol of the association itself – by Mr. Giovanni Aluisi, representing the Sodalizio dei Facchini di Santa Rosa, and serving as a testament to the strong bond of closeness and shared solidarity between the citizens of Viterbo and the School of Marshals of the Air Force.
Next, the awarding of stripes took place for all the other students, carried out directly by the godparents, namely the parents, friends, and colleagues of the new marshals.
Then spoke the Course sponsor, First Marshal Luigi Capogrosso, the most senior in rank from the Elios I course: “In your eyes, here today, I see again the emotion and determination that I saw in those of my peers 20 years ago, when we were in your place, unaware but enthusiastic about what the future held for us. Having completed a first stage of this long journey, today you become Marshals of the Air Force, a status that brings with it responsibilities in a role that will be full of satisfaction and will make you proud of the choice you have made and the uniform you wear.
In his speech, the Commander of the Air Force NCO School. Colonel Pilot Gianluca Spina, after greeting the authorities present, addressed the Elios II cadets, recalling how “The path you have undertaken in recent years has been arduous and intense. You 88 are the result of a tough selection process. Only those of you who had sound motivation and a burning passion at their core have managed to overcome the difficulties along the way and reach the finish line. In particular, you have shown that behind the stereotypes of a social generation hidden behind a phone screen, there are exceptional young men and women who, thanks to wise guidance, mature and achieve great results! (...) Be proud of yourselves, and work daily so as to make us ever prouder! Also be aware that today's achievement at the same time represents the first step of a long marathon! This is because, in fact, from five minutes ago, that is, from when you received your ranks, you have instantly become a guide and an example for thousands of soldiers, especially for Corporals and Sergeants who from now on will look to you for direction, guidance, knowledge, and inspiration. Colonel Spina then concluded by dedicating a special greeting to all the relatives present.Today you can see through the eyes of your children, proud eyes of those who have overcome a thousand difficulties and made enormous sacrifices, mature eyes of those who look with gratitude because they have grown up in your affection, in your upbringing, and in your and our values.”
In conclusion, the Commander of the Air Force Schools/3rd Air Region., General of the Air Force Silvano Frigerio, who after greeting the Representatives of the Institutions of the City of Viterbo and of the other Armed Forces, addressed the protagonists of today's ceremony with these words: “Today's event is one that you will surely remember forever, not only in your professional life but also in your life in general, even more so because it coincides with a particular year. You are the Marshals who received your ranks in the Centenary year of the Italian Air Force, and therefore your careers will fully unfold in the new century of the Armed Force. For this reason, all eyes are on you, obviously in a favourable sense, starting with mine.. General Frigerio then recalled the peculiarity of the current course of study, characterised by a reduced period of attendance at the Viterbo School, and concluded by inviting all attendees to enthusiastically accept their upcoming assignments, facing them as “a new life adventure that will give you rewarding professional and personal satisfaction.
The Italian Air Force Marshals School/Viterbo Airport Command is under the command of the Air Force Schools Command and the 3rd Air Region of Bari. The department has a dual mission: on the one hand, as a university-level institution, it is responsible for the military and moral training and specific professional instruction of Marshals, as well as the refinement and updating of this training; on the other hand, as a military airport open to civilian traffic, it provides technical-operational support, air navigation services, and specific activities. Force protection at Tommaso Fabbri Airport.
