On 20 September, the 75th anniversary of “Pioppo Radar” took place at the Aerospace Operations Command (COA) in Poggio Renatico. This Air Force Air Defence entity has played a crucial role in the security and surveillance of national airspace for over seventy years. The ceremony for the Organisation, one of the longest-serving within the Air Force, was attended by Chief of Staff of Air Squad Command, Major General Gianluca Ercolani, of the Commander of COA, Air Division General Luca Maineri, of the current Radar Group Commander, Ten. Col. Nunzio Pisano, and of important local civil and military authorities.
Today known as 11° Integrated Missile Air Defence Group (11° GrDAMI), with radio nominativeCallsign “Pioppo”, the Group, together with the 22nd GrDAMI “Barca” based in Licola and under the command of the Integrated Missile Air Defence Department (ReDAMI), ensures H24 and 7 days a week, even during peacetime, the surveillance of its assigned area of responsibility. Through the use of sensors and associated systems, “Pioppo” carries out the detection, tracking, and identification of all air contacts, ensuring effective Situational Awareness within the national and NATO Command and Control (C2) chain.
To celebrate this important anniversary, the COA opened the doors of the Operational Base to the families of the personnel of the 11th DAMI Group and to all those who, over the years, have served there. The attendees began with Holy Mass celebrated for the occasion in the area of the Gate Guardian del COA, inaugurated just over a year ago. This monument, made with the historic ARES-B “MPR” radar, a sentinel of the skies from 1972 to 2016, is in fact a symbol of strong identity for the “Pioppo Radar” personnel, as well as a historical heritage for the local community. Afterwards, the participants moved to the Medaglie d’Oro square for the Flag-Raising ceremony and the laying of a wreath for the Fallen. Among the authorities“ speeches, the address by the longest-serving commander of ”Pioppo Radar," retired General Emilio Brancaccio, was particularly touching. With emotionally charged words, he recalled the seven intense years, from 1976 to 1983, spent leading the unit, which were full of commitments, operational activities, and a deep bond with the personnel. His testimony and his thoughts dedicated to those who have left us, stirred great emotion among those present, recalling a significant period in the unit's history. General Ercolani, in his closing remarks, he wanted to highlight how “Celebrating 75 years of Pioppo Radar means honouring a history of dedication, innovation, and service to the country. For over seven decades, the staff at Poggio Renatico have ensured uninterrupted surveillance and defence of NATO/national airspace, combining tradition and technology in an increasingly complex and interconnected operational context. The work carried out here represents a fundamental stronghold for the security of Italy and an absolutely significant contribution to NATO's collective defence system. The anniversary has provided an opportunity to renew ties with the region and the local community, recognising the daily contribution of all staff, past and present, who with professionalism, passion, and a spirit of service ensure, without interruption, the surveillance and defence of national airspace.”.
The event continued with a visit to the operational rooms of the National Air and Space Operations Centre (NASOC), of the Centre Space Situational Awareness (CSSA) and the 11th DAMI Group, as well as access to the office facilities of the 11th DAMI GrD, ReDAMI and the Aerospace Control Brigade (BCA), all located at the foot of the ’RAT-31DL’ Radar, heir to the historic “MPR” ARES-B.
A day dedicated to identity, history, and the deep bond that connects all generations of personnel united by “Pioppo Radar,” the 75th anniversary was not just a moment of historical celebration, but also an occasion to honour the commitment and shared pride of those who have contributed to making “Pioppo Radar” a benchmark in national air defence, bearing witness to an unbreakable bond with the territory and the mission of protecting national skies.
