The evening was the occasion for the delivery to the PAN of two important awards: the “Chairman 2021” and the “Gianni Borta Award 2020”
On Monday 20 December, the event took place at the Teatro Nuovo Giovanni da Udine Poster presentation evening and
Training 2022 of the Tricolour Arrows.
The event, a tradition established in the National Acrobatics Patrol’s calendar, was held this year in a place
Unusual: for the first time, in fact, the Tricolore Arrows chose to leave the maintenance hangar, the usual setting for the evening, to take to the stage of the beautiful theatre in the Friulian city.
There are two reasons for this: on the one hand, to be able to enjoy the warmth of the audience again, while at the same time respecting the regulations.
Controlling the spread of Covid-19; on the other hand, doing so symbolically in a place emblematic of entertainment and culture, which has been severely penalized by the pandemic.
The Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, with its valuable support, made this historic innovation possible.
The event, chaired by Commander of Combat Forces and the 1st Air Region, Air Vice Marshal Francesco Vestito, The event was attended by numerous civil and military authorities, including the vice president of the Regional Council, Dr. Riccardo Riccardi, representing President Massimiliano Fedriga; the Councilor, Prof.ssa Elisabetta Marioni, representing the Mayor of the Municipality of Udine, Pietro Fontanini; Dr. Fabio Marchetti, Mayor of the Municipality of Codroipo; and
Commander of the 2nd Wing by Rivolto, Colonel Marco Bertoli.
In addition to the authorities, numerous guests were present in the audience, including family members and long-time friends of the Tricolore Arrows, as well as representatives
of the world of associations, the territory and the Frecce Tricolori Clubs, who once again demonstrated their warm affection for the P.A.N.. The evening, which was hosted by presenter Barbara Pedrotti and will be broadcast on deferred schedule on the social channels of the Italian Air Force starting from December 22, saw as protagonist on stage the Lieutenant Colonel Stefano Vit, member of the team since 2012, Head of Training from 2019 to 2021, and since last November 30 Commander of the 313th Acrobatic Training Group.
Commander Vit, after retracing the most significant moments of the 2021 season, including the celebrations for the 60th Anniversary of the Tricolour Arrows, then presented the team on the ground National Acrobatic Patrol, represented on this occasion by the Sub-officers in charge of the Nucleus and the Staff Officers.
After the presentation of those working behind the scenes, it was then time to present the 2022 Training Program.
Tricolore Arrows. The key positions of Pony 6, leader of the 2nd section, and Pony 10, soloist, have been confirmed, respectively assigned to Maggiore Franco Paolo Marocco and Maggiore Massimiliano Salvatore.
Debuts in the position of Pony 1 (Training Manager) Major Pierluigi Raspa, with his four years of experience
as a member of the Tricolore Arrows.
New entrance in Rivolto it is Captain Leonardo Leo, of Campanese origin and Eurofighter pilot from the 36th Fighter Wing
Gioia del Colle, base of the Air Defense. It will be assigned the position of Pony 9, 2nd Flanker of the formation.
The evening was the occasion for the delivery to the Tricolour Arrows of two important awards: the “Chairman 2021” Tribute
from European Airshow Council, awarded every year to display team or display pilot which has distinguished itself most at the European level, and the “Gianni Borta Prize 2020”, awarded by the National Association of Olympic Athletes and the Azzurri d’Italia, of which the Tricolour Arrows are honorary members since 1995, for the now unforgettable “Tricolour Embrace”.
As usual, there was no shortage of moment dedicated to solidarity.The President of the 1st Club Frecce Tricolori of Pieve di
Soligo, Remigio Villanova, and the President of the 15th Club of Codroipo, Bruno di Lenardo, took to the stage on behalf of all the clubs to deliver the proceeds from the fundraising activity that the fans of the Tricolour Arrows carry out every year for the less fortunate.
This year the association that received the funds is the ABC Burlo “Association of Pediatric Surgeons“ that works in favor of the little ones
patients of the Burlo Garofolo Hospital in Trieste. Subsequently, the Association was presented. “Orchestra for Life” Active in the field of research on the rare pathology of epithelial sarcoma, recipient of funds for 2022.
In conclusion, the long-awaited moment of the presentation of the 2022 PAN Poster: Commander Vit, calling the other officers to him
Training 2022, has presented the image that will accompany the Tricoloured Arrows throughout the new year, without
Forget about what has just happened. The selected shot depicts the MB339 PAN, flying over the Friulian Dolomites, with the celebratory liveries created for the 60th Anniversary of the Tricolour Frecce, depicting the historical acrobatic patrols that alternated before the formation of the PAN on March 1, 1961.
Here is the full PAN Training 2022:
