At Tessera Venice’s Marco Polo Civil Airport, a plaque was discovered in memory of the Fallen of the 14th Wing. The ceremony, coinciding with the twentieth anniversary of the tragic event, took place as part of a pilgrimage by the Patriarch of Venice, Mons. Francesco Moraglia, who, in the presence of numerous pilgrims, the families of the victims and the Arma Aeronautica Association of Venice, after the Eucharistic celebration, unveiled the plaque in memory of Colonel Alessandro Russo, Lieutenant Marco Baldetti and Marshal Luigi Pellis. The event, presided over by Dr. Valerio Bonato, Director of Airports of the National Civil Aviation Authority of Venice – Ronchi, was also attended by Colonel Luigi Riggio, Commander of the 14th Wing, who participated with a small delegation of the Department, and Colonel Mauro Lunardi, Commander of the 51st Istrana Wing. Subsequently, at the statue of the Madonna of Loreto located at the head of runway 22 at the airport, 3 red roses representing the 3 military personnel who died were placed and the Aviator’s prayer was read. On September 15, 1993, a PD808 aircraft of the 14th Stormo of Pratica di Mare, taking off from the 51st Stormo of Istrana to return to base, during an emergency landing in Venice Tessera, remained destroyed, causing the death of the 3 crew members. The 14th Stormo is based at the military airport of Pratica di Mare. It is hierarchically subordinate to the Command of the Forces for Mobility and Support of Rome; it conducts support missions in the field of aerial refueling, radio measurements and personal transport with the KC767A and P180 Avanti aircraft, in full compliance with the plans and directives received from the Air Force Squadra Aerea Command, the High Command of the Air Force to which the training, preparation and deployment of the assets and personnel operating at operational units throughout the national territory is assigned. It also ensures the availability and transport service in support of the Department of Civil Protection. The 14th Squadron has contributed by participating in the operations “Unified Protector”In Libya, “ISAF”In Afghanistan, “Leonte”In Lebanon and “Lorica”In Cyprus.
