Friday 28 March marked the celebrations in Italian Air Force Units at home and abroad. On Friday 28 March, the 91st anniversary of the establishment of the “Arma Azzurra” (Italian Air Force) was celebrated in Herat by the Italian Air Force personnel of the Italian contingent. During the ceremony, which took place in the presence of the Commander of Regional Command West, General Manlio Scopigno, the Commander of the Joint Air Task Force (JATF), Colonel Saverio Agresti, after reading the congratulatory messages from the Head of State and the highest defence authorities, congratulated all personnel “in blue" of Regional Command West.“for the commitment, dedication and professionalism with which, day after day, you work towards the mission, bringing prestige to the Armed Force and the Country”. On Friday 28 March, the Air Operations Command in Poggio Renatico marked the 91st anniversary of the establishment of the Italian Air Force with a simple yet meaningful ceremony in the central square of the municipality in which the base is located. The event was attended, alongside Air Division General Roberto Nordio, Commander of the Air Operations Command, by numerous local civil and military authorities, including the Prefect of Ferrara, Dr Michele Tortora, and the Mayor of Poggio Renatico, Mr Paolo Pavani. On Friday 28 March, the 15th Wing in Cervia celebrated the 91st anniversary of the founding of the Italian Air Force. The parade of the Wing’s military and civilian personnel, enhanced by the presence of branches of local military associations, was presided over by Colonel Franco Trozzi, Commander of the 15th Wing. During the ceremony, congratulatory messages were read out from the Chief of the Air Force Staff, the Chief of the Defence Staff, the Minister of Defence and the President of the Republic.Colonel Trozzi concluded his address on a note of pride, noting that all the messages of congratulations shared a common thread of praise for the Wing’s rapid response operations in providing assistance and relief to civilian populations in need or affected by public disasters, as well as in humanitarian and emergency medical transport operations – all of which the 15th Wing, together with its Groups and Centres, carries out on a daily basis, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. On Friday 28 March, to mark the 91st anniversary of the establishment of the Italian Air Force, a a flag-raising ceremony was held in the presence of military and civilian personnel from the 3rd G.M.A., along with a delegation of military personnel from co-located units. At the end of the ceremony, the Order of the Day was read out, containing the message from the Chief of Staff of the Italian Air Force. Subsequently, the Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Giovanni Riganti, presented a number of awards and certificates of merit. In the presence of numerous dignitaries and guests, at the 4th Technical Maintenance Unit – Air Defence/Flight Support/Telecommunications, the 91st anniversary of the establishment of the Italian Air Force was celebrated with a unit flag-raising ceremony, followed by Holy Mass celebrated in the local chapel by His Excellency Mariano Crociata, Bishop of the Diocese of Latina. The screening of a film on the history of the Air Force Headquarters provided an opportunity for the Commander, Brigadier General Pietro Iodice, to thank all those present. At the 133rd Remote Radar Squadron in San Giovanni Teatino, the 91st anniversary of the founding of the Italian Air Force was celebrated in the presence of numerous local dignitaries, including the Prefect of Chieti, and representatives of the Air Force Association from across Abruzzo. Following the solemn flag-raising ceremony and the laying of a wreath in honour of the fallen, a religious service was held, at the conclusion of which the Squadron Commander, Major Guido Tatone, read out a message from the Chief of the Air Force General Staff and presented several awards to the military personnel. To mark the 91st anniversary of the founding of the Italian Air Force, the Mortara branch of the Air Force Association, Gambolò–Remondò group, organised a ceremony at the Remondò Airmen’s Monument. The ceremony, which began with the raising of the flag, was attended by the Commander, Captain Sergio Scarpato, and a delegation from the 112th Remote Radar Squadron. To mark the celebrations on 28 March, a solemn unit flag-raising ceremony was held at the 134th Remote Radar Squadron and the Lampedusa Air Force Detachment. At the end of the ceremony, presided over by the Commander, Captain Raffaele Capece, a message from the Chief of the Air Force Staff was read out, followed by the presentation of awards and honours to the personnel. To mark the 91st anniversary of the establishment of the Italian Air Force, the 113th Remote Radar Squadron organised a ceremony presided over by the Squadron Commander, Major Alessandro Pisasale. The event began with a solemn flag-raising ceremony and the laying of a laurel wreath at the war memorial. This was followed by a Mass celebrated inside the Command building by the parish priest of Portogruaro Cathedral. To mark the anniversary on 28 March, a solemn unit flag-raising ceremony took place at the 136th Remote Radar Squadron. At the conclusion, the Commander, Major Giovanni Papadia, read out a message from the Chief of the Air Force Staff. At the 114th Auxiliary Depot in Francavilla Fontana, the 91st anniversary of the founding of the ’Arma Azzurra’ was marked with a simple but meaningful ceremony. Lieutenant Colonel Piero Agnello, Commander of the Unit, following the solemn flag-raising ceremony and the reading of the message from the President of the Republic, presented certificates of service to the military and civilian personnel serving at the 114th Auxiliary Depot. The participation of neighbouring local authorities and the local veterans’ and military associations was particularly significant.
