As part of the visit to the Unit, a seminar on municipal Civil Protection planning was also organised. On Saturday 19 May, the National Disaster Manager Association (Asso.Di.Ma.) visited the 16th “Force Protection” Wing in Martina Franca (TA).
The Wing Commander, Colonel Giampaolo Marin, presented the organisation of the Unit, the specific characteristics of the Air Riflemen Battalion, the Survive to Operate/Force Protection Training Group and the operational activities carried out for the protection and security of aircraft, personnel and equipment on board and of aeronautical installations in Italy and abroad.
On this occasion, representatives of Asso.Di.Ma., coming from several regions of Italy, were also able to take part in a seminar entitled “Municipal Civil Protection Planning”, during which issues relating to emergencies were discussed, with particular regard to their management at the municipal level.
The national president of Asso.Di.Ma., Dr Achille Sergio, as well as congratulating the Air Force Unit, acknowledged the excellent existing collaboration between the 16th Wing and the local Civil Protection bodies, expressing his readiness for new future collaborative initiatives, together with the Head of the Apalian operational branch, Mr Gianni Genco. The National Association of Disaster Managers – Asso.Di.Ma – promotes and carries out studies, research, initiatives and interventions aimed at the dissemination of scientific, legal, cultural and economic development in the sectors of Civil Protection and Civil Defence. (source: Statutes of the National Association of Disaster Managers). The 16th Wing descends from the 6th Aeroplane Group, which distinguished itself in the Battle of Istrana in 1917. Today it is a combat unit of the Air Squad Command, subordinate to the Forces Support and Special Forces Command, with force protection duties.
Since 2004, it has operated in 36 different international missions, in 16 different operational theatres worldwide, accumulating over 33,000 flight hours, of which 21,000 were for the safety of Air Force aircraft and those on board.
It is the Air Riflemen Department, which from August 2005 to December 2014 was present in Afghanistan to ensure the protection of the Herat Base. On April 5, 2015, the War Flag of the 16th “Force Protection” Wing was decorated with a Silver Medal of Aeronautic Valor by the President of the Republic.
