From 25th January to 1st February, the 37 first-year students of the “G. Douhet” Air Force Military School attended, at the Dobbiaco AM Airport Detachment, the “Mountain survival techniques familiarisation course”, I will once again encourage the spirit of adaptability and the ability to manage complex situations in the young participants.
The Dobbiaco Detachment, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Nicola Bolzan, by virtue of its peculiar location within the national territory, is the ideal venue for this type of activity, being the highest altitude military airport in Italy.
During the seven days of training, the young boys and girls of the Zenit Course, accompanied by Col. Mauro Nazzi and the Institute's permanent staff, carried out theoretical and practical lessons and excursions in a snowy mountain environment in the Alta Pusteria area, during which they had the opportunity to learn some emergency shelter construction techniques using snow.
Over recent days, the students of the Military Aeronautics high school have also experienced the main rescue procedures for missing persons in the event of an avalanche using the ARTVA system (Avalanche Transceiver).
The course is part of the Three-Year Plan of Educational Offer of the Douhet School. The choice to include this specific type of extracurricular activity is aimed at preparing the young boys and girls to face situations where it is essential to know how to manage psycho-physical stress, and to develop a strong sense of community and mutual aid. Courses like this are able to stimulate creativity, facilitate communication among participants, and improve personal and group adaptability.
The Military Aviation School “Giulio Douhet”, opened in 2006, is a secondary school that runs courses for the final three years in classical and scientific studies, entry to which is by public competition. The purpose of the Institute is to encourage a balanced development of the students from a human, cultural, moral and physical perspective, so that they have the necessary skills to become good citizens and face the challenges of tomorrow, whatever future path they decide to take.
It Dobbiaco Airport Detachment, subordinate to the Headquarters of the Air Squad / 1st Air Region of Milan, is the northernmost Italian Air Force Command, it guarantees support for mountain survival courses (flight safety) and units in training, as well as continuously carrying out the collection of ground meteorological parameters at the times and in the manner established. The Unit also provides for the actions within its remit for the management of the “Villa Irma” Mountain Holiday Home, one of the bodies which, within the Defence Administration, carry out social welfare activities for members of the Armed Forces and their families.
