The 16th “Force Protection” Wing and the Paolo Grassi Foundation together to present the blue squadron of Martina Franca to its citizens. On Wednesday, 16 May 2018, the event titled “If you say 16...” took place at the auditorium of the Paolo Grassi Foundation in Martina Franca (Taranto).
The initiative, promoted by the 16th Air Force Wing “Force Protection,” in collaboration with the Paolo Grassi Foundation and under the patronage of the City of Martina Franca, saw the participation of the highest local civil, religious, and military authorities. In addition to the Presidents of the Air Force Association and PASFA, and the local Rotary and Lions clubs, also present were the Commander of SVTAM Taranto, Colonel Fabio Dezi, and the Commander of the Joint Task Force Unit in Fasano, Lieutenant Colonel Andrea Anelli.
The greeting from the President of the Paolo Grassi Foundation, Dr Franco Punzi, and the speech by the City Mayor, Dr Franco Ancona, kicked off the meeting, outlining the importance, significance, and value of the Armed Forces' presence as a safeguard for the territory and its citizens.
During the event, moderated by the journalist from the Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno, Dr. Ottavio Cristofaro, the Head of the Unit, Colonel Giampaolo Marin, explained the history of the "blue uniform" (Arma azzurra) in Martina Franca, that of the 16th Wing, its mission, the capabilities, and the activities of the Air Force Riflemen (Fucilieri dell’Aria) who, from the Itria Valley, operate wherever the country requires.
In particular, it described the exclusive capabilities of the Riflemen that make the Regiment unique of its kind in Italy.
Protecting aircraft and operating for integration between surface forces and the aerotactic dimension, or with transport and rotary-wing assets, makes the 16th Wing the sole Air Infantry Unit, with some novel capabilities currently being consolidated.
In his closing remarks, Colonel Marin expressed his gratitude to the City of Martina Franca for its constant support of the Wing, which was reaffirmed by the heartfelt participation in the initiative. The 16th Wing is the Wing of the Air Riflemen. Since 2004, it has been based at Martina Franca, where the 3rd ROC (Regional Operational Command) had operated since 1959.
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 Force Command, under the Support and Special Forces Command, with responsibilities for force protection. Since 2004, it has operated in 36 different international missions, in 16 operational theatres worldwide, accumulating over 33,000 flying hours, of which 21,000 were for the security of Air Force aircraft and those on board. From August 2005 to December 2014, the Air Force Riflemen were present in Afghanistan to ensure the protection of Herat Base. On 5 April 2015, the War Flag of the 16th Wing “Force Protection” was decorated with a Silver Medal of Aeronautical Valour by the President of the Republic.
