The handover of the responsibilities to Colonel Balestrino was presided over by General D.A. Vitantonio Cormio. At the event, chaired by the Deputy Commander of the A.M./3rd Air Region of Bari, Air Division General Vitantonio Cormio, local religious, civil and military authorities, the Governors of the cities of Loreto and Potenza Picena (Macerata), Combatant and Armed Associations and all military and civil personnel on duty and attending courses at the Department. During his speech, Colonel Balestrino emphasized that the period spent leading the Agency is “
It was characterized by an intense and stimulating work activity that saw us all fully involved in achieving the School’s institutional objectives, as well as being strongly committed to developing and updating our teaching tool to make it increasingly efficient, effective, and responsive to the real and diverse needs of the Armed Forces..
In the management of language teaching activities – continued Colonel Balestrino –
There has been a continuous study to find solutions to optimize the means and resources available, such as the new face-to-face teaching modules with significant advantages in terms of cost-effectiveness and, finally, the further boost given to the distance teaching activity in e-learning mode, which has seen, among other things, the provision of Italian courses on the internet platform.”In favor of foreign military personnel within the framework of international cooperation. Colonel Balestrino will assume the position of Head of the Logistics and Financial Planning Office at the 4th Department of the General Staff of the Air Force in Rome. Colonel Contristano, in turn, has declared that he is “
I am proud to assume today the command of the Foreign Languages School of the Air Force, an expression among the most important and significant of the teaching activities carried out within the Command of Schools, and to be aware of the increasingly limited financial resources that characterize our country. Therefore, we must be creative in finding new formulas to do more with less, while respecting the rules and military ethics that make us, as citizens with the stars, a good example for others.”. General Cormio, in concluding the ceremony, highlighted that in the complexity and quantity of the work carried out daily, with commitment and dedication, results worthy of pride have been achieved that place this School among those of “
niche of excellence”in the Armed Forces. In particular, the Deputy Commander of the A.M./3rd R.A. made reference to[…]“
to the courses carried out to ensure the expected level of knowledge of the foreign language for those destined to hold positions in an international context and to refine, with advanced courses in specific areas of expertise, the technical and professional preparation of the staff”Finally, General Cormio emphasized the focus on the teaching and certification of Aviation English, in accordance with the regulations of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the remote language training of Iraqi personnel through e-learning techniques and methods. The A.M. Foreign Language School in Loreto is included in the educational sector with the task of conducting foreign language courses, primarily English, in both face-to-face and e-learning modalities, and verifying knowledge of these languages for the needs of the personnel of the Air Force related to the delicate sectors of aviation English and employment outside national borders. To this educational offer are added courses in Italian for foreign military personnel from non-EU countries, also in both face-to-face and e-learning modalities, as well as English language courses for other Armed Forces and Departments. All this in line with the provisions issued by the A.M. General Staff and the A.M./3rd R.A. Schools Command, from which the School depends. Curriculum of Colonel Contristano
