FRECCE TRICOLORI: FORMATION AND 2011 POSTER

Saturday 18th December, Lt Col Lant presented the new formation at Rivolto to local authorities, Frecce Tricolori Clubs and aviation enthusiasts. Lieutenant Colonel Marco Lant, Commander of the Frecce Tricolori, after speaking about the activities carried out in 2010, also highlighted the social solidarity commitments that involved the men of the PAN. He then focused on the recent ‘Winning Italy’ award, received directly from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, which aimed to reiterate the human, professional and technological values that form the basis of the work of the Italian Air Force and the Armed Forces in general (for further information on the award ceremony, Click here) Then he moved on to the presentation of the 2011 formation, which sees the reconfirmation of the key positions of the formation leader (‘Pony 1’), Captain Jan Slangen, and number 6 (Leader of the second section), Captain Marco Zoppitelli. Some new additions: the new soloist, Captain Fabio Capodanno, and just one new pilot, Captain Mattia Bortoluzzi, an AM-X fighter pilot coming from the 51st Wing of Istrana (Treviso) who will fly with number 7. Major Simone Cavelli, on the other hand, will take care of the aerobatic training of this new formation, supervising the complex phases that will lead the Frecce Tricolori to be ready on 1st May 2011 for the start of their 51st aerobatic season. At the end of the speech, Lieutenant Colonel Lant presented the 2011 poster, a striking image taken directly on board number 1, which gives a sense of the distances separating one aircraft from another.