On Friday 28th May, the Frecce Tricolori performed in Frosinone to celebrate the anniversary of the Flight Department. General Pasquale Preziosa, Commander of the Air Force Schools / 3rd Air Region of Bari, along with the Commander of the 72nd Wing, Colonel Maurizio Masi, welcomed the Undersecretary of State for Defence, Hon. Giuseppe Cossiga who, to honour a promise made during a recent visit to the Department, wanted to participate in the event organised to commemorate the prestigious milestone reached by the Flight School. Additionally, the Prefect of Frosinone, Dr. Paolino Maddaloni, the President of the Province, Dr. Antonello Iannarilli, the Mayor of the city, Dr. Michele Marini, as well as all the military and civilian authorities of the Ciociaro capital, attended not only to witness the event, but also to testify to the deep bond that exists between Frosinone airport and the urban context in which it is perfectly integrated. The static display of helicopters belonging to all the Armed Forces and State Armed Corps added further significance to the event. As Colonel Masi recalled, “the Wing wanted to share the achievement of this milestone with those who, by renewing their trust in the training capabilities of the Flight Department, have sent and continue to send their personnel for the acquisition of the military helicopter pilot license”.
For General Preziosa, “the fiftieth birthday is an important milestone, as it marks the full maturity of this Flying School. If our pilots are able to earn unconditional esteem both in Italy and worldwide, it is also thanks to this Helicopter School.”.
The model aircraft flyers commenced the flying activities, followed by an exhibition by three TH-500B helicopters belonging to the Wing. Meanwhile, the crew of an HH-3F helicopter from the 84th CSAR (Combat Search and Rescue) Centre in Brindisi, which is part of the 15th CSAR Wing of Pratica di Mare (Rome), simulated the stages of a rescue, giving full demonstration of the professionalism that distinguishes them. At 5:30 PM, the National Acrobatic Patrol (PAN) ’Frecce Tricolori‘ provided a moment of pure emotion to the very large audience in attendance; 25 minutes of evolutions that kept everyone present on the edge of their seats, who on several occasions underlined the skill of the PAN pilots with applause. The PAN's final pass painted the long tricolour over the audience who attended at the 72nd Wing and concluded the exhibition and the celebrations for the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of the Helicopter School of Frosinone. The 72nd Wing is the only flying school of the Italian Air Force in the helicopter sector. Courses are also held at the Department for foreign pilots. From 1960 to date, 423,884 flight hours have been carried out and 4,430 pilots have been qualified. In the last decade, the 72nd Wing has been involved in peacekeeping operations and humanitarian missions in Albania, Eritrea and Kosovo, with reconnaissance and liaison duties.
The Frecce Tricolori will conclude their season on 11 and 12 September in Rivolto (Udine) where the most important aerobatic teams in the world will perform over two days of events.
Multimedia contributions Video: TG1 of 27th May Video: RAI 3 ‘Buongiorno Regione’ of 28 May Video: TGR Lazio from 28th May Video: TG5 of 28 May
