On Wednesday 2 December, the “Devil” Task Group returned home following the conclusion of its mission in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan. The Wing Commander, Colonel Francesco Vestito, a large contingent of Wing personnel and a number of religious and civil authorities, including the Episcopal Vicar, Monsignor Mencini, the Mayor of Ghedi, Lorenzo Borzi, and the Chair of the Municipal Council of Castenedolo, Dr Franca Foretti. After paying tribute to the War Flag and its inclusion in the formation, the Wing Commander, in his speech, emphasised the great commitment of the Wing and the Flight Groups to achieving the set objectives. Approximately 1,100 flight hours, an efficiency rating of 99%, the rotation of 25 crews and around 200 personnel supporting the operations; “these are the figures and the impact of Task Group Devil, a successfully completed mission that is a source of pride for the Wing, the Armed Forces and Italy,” commented Colonel Vestito. Following the blessing of the War Flag and the Wing’s personnel by Monsignor Mencini, the flag was returned to its display case in the Wing Commander’s office, marking the handover of responsibility in the theatre of operations to the AM-X fighter-bombers.
