Wednesday 14 April saw the contingent from the Martina Franca Department return to Italy.
The Riflemen, led by Lieutenant Mauro Aiello, together with the entire contingent from SMD, embarked on the aircraft carrier ‘Cavour’ of the Navy on 19 January bound for Haiti, and reached the island on 2 February. After participating in the initial landing operations and the setup of the base camp from which Operation ‘White Crane’ was conducted, located near the capital, Port Au Prince, the 11 Air Riflemen cooperated with the Italian Civil Protection and, along with military personnel from the Army, Navy, and Carabinieri, ensured the proper distribution of humanitarian aid to the civilian population, clearing precarious rubble, securing buildings, and providing assistance to those in need.
Equipped with three tactical vehicles, the Air Riflemen also helped to provide protection and freedom of movement for the heavy vehicles employed by the Army's ‘Genio’ Task Force in the narrow streets of Port Au Prince. During the three months they operated on the Caribbean island, the 11 Air Riflemen maintained constant contact with the Armed Forces' command and control chain, and with the base in Martina Franca, in order to ensure the regular and effective conduct of operations.
“Operating within such a vast tragedy enriches us both humanly and professionally,” reports Colonel Paolo Citta, Commander of the 16th Wing, expressing his “praise for the Riflemen who, with commitment and dedication, carried out the mission assigned overseas for the populations affected by the earthquake.” The 11 'Fucilieri dell'Aria' (Air Riflemen) have returned to Martina Franca, as soon as the ceremony, held on board a Navy vessel in the port of Civitavecchia (Rome), was concluded in the presence of the Minister of Defence, Hon. Ignazio La Russa.
Established on 25 May 2004 at the Martina Franca base, the 16th ‘Force Protection’ Wing provides ground security and protection for personnel, vehicles and equipment, as well as for installations and infrastructure of particular importance to the Armed Force, both nationally and internationally. Since August 2005, a contingent of Air Force Riflemen from the 16th Wing has been present in Afghanistan as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) operation, ensuring the Force Protection of the Forward Support Base (FSB) in Herat. The Riflemen of the 16th Wing also operate in Lebanon as part of the UNIFIL mission.
