The solemn ceremony for the handover of the was held on Friday 19th December at the Auditorium of the Aeronautical Academy. Spadino 129 cadets from the first course, officially formalising the start of their military careers.
The event, steeped in tradition and profound symbolic value, was presided over by Commander of the Air Force Schools / 3rd Air Region, Air Force General Francesco Vestito.
Also present, alongside the families of the young trainees, were the godparents of the Grifo Courses, including Airman General Maurizio Cantiello., Capo Corso del Grifo IV, Air Force General (ret.) Giuseppe Marani, Capo Corso del Grifo III and Major Francesco Buscemi, Capo Corso del Grifo V, a testament to the strong and indissoluble bond that unites different generations, sealing a continuity between past, present and future and strengthening the sense of belonging to the great aeronautical family
Welcoming the authorities and guests was the Commander of the Air Force Academy, Air Division General Davide Cipelletti, who at the beginning of his speech, wanted to remember General Simone Mettini and Cadet Lorenzo Nucheli, who tragically passed away during a training mission. Addressing the protagonists of this day: “... To you, students of the first course I recall that the sword you will soon receive is not merely a symbolic object, but represents your conscious entry into the history of our Institute and of our Armed Force. My sincerest congratulations to all of you for this important achievement, the first of many others that await you on an intense and stimulating path of professional and personal growth. Always keep in mind the motivations that drove you to wear the light blue uniform and cherish the emotions that have accompanied these first milestones: your pilot's wings, your first exams, and today, the pride of receiving the sword, a tangible symbol of your full entry into the regular courses of the Air Force Academy.”.
The central moment of the ceremony was the presentation of the Spadino, the tool and at the same time the symbol of being a student at the Academy. More than a simple object, the Spadino actually represents a moral pactrecalls the connection with the history of the Air Force, with the generations of officers who have worn the same uniform and with the traditions that have marked the life of the Institute for decades.
Subsequently, after the blessing by the Military Chaplain, the cadets of the 1st Course received their swords from the third-year Aspirants (Eolo VI), in the presence of family, military and civilian authorities, and Academy staff, who came together to celebrate the beginning of a new generation of future Commanders.
The most exciting moment was the ceremony formula between the First Aspirant “We entrust the rapier to you, Students, a symbol of this institution's traditions.... and the Head of the 1st Course: ”...“It is with honour that we accept this glorious emblem, aware of what it represents and we are committed to upholding its prestige.”The guarantor of this handover of values, virtues, and traditions of the Air Force Academy was General S.A. Maurizio Cantiello, Course Leader of Grifo IV and the oldest serving godfather.
The presence of the parents, warmly welcomed by the Institute, helped to make the ceremony even more significant, reminding us how crucial family support is in the challenging path ahead for the young men and women who have chosen to dedicate themselves with passion and civic duty to the defence and security of the country.
Lo Spadino, small but significant, represents not only a distinctive element of the uniform, but also an invitation to cherish the values of Loyalty, Courage e sacrifice. With this handover, the Aeronautical Academy renews its commitment to training men and women ready to serve with honour in the ranks of the Air Force, preparing them for the challenges of the future with competence and determination.
During the ceremony, the “Professor Valentino Losito” scholarships were also awarded, named in memory of the distinguished General Aeronautics lecturer at the Air Force Academy; the “City of Pozzuoli – Golden Eagle” prize, presented by the Mayor, Ing. Luigi Manzoni, established by the Municipality of Pozzuoli for two attendees who particularly distinguished themselves in the study of flight sciences; finally, badges of merit and badges of sporting merit were awarded to the Second Lieutenants, Cadets and Trainees who distinguished themselves through commitment, discipline, reliability and results in their studies and in various sports.
At the end of the award ceremony, the Commander of the Air Force School Command / 3rd Air Region, Air Force General Francesco Vestito: “... LThe awarding of the Spadino represents one of the most significant moments in the training path of the Air Force Academy Cadets, as it marks the transition from aspirants to conscious protagonists of a life choice founded on solid and lasting values. In this symbol are encapsulated the sense of duty, honour, and responsibility that characterise being Officers of the Air Force. To the young Cadets, I extend the invitation to proudly cherish the traditions of the Institute, facing the training challenges that await them with commitment, spirit of service, and cohesion, in the full awareness of the role they will be called upon to play in service to the nation.”
In the evening, the traditional Pingue Festival took place, one of the most significant moments for the students of the first regular course. With this event, rich in tradition, the “Pingue” course receives an official welcome into the Academy from the senior students of the second class and, more generally, from the Italian Air Force.
This ceremony represented the culmination of a months-long process of bringing the “senior course” and the first course, which presented its traditional symbols: the rose window, the penguin, and the Patch.
This year, too, was marked by a moment of solidarity: Corso Falco VI organised a charity collection, the proceeds of which were donated to “Telethon Foundation” for the research of genetic diseases.
The’Air Force Academy It depends Air Force Schools Command/3rd Air Region. It is a military institute Higher education with a university character whose task is to recruit and train young people aspiring to become Air Force Officers. By attending the Regular Academy Courses, one can become a Second Lieutenant in Permanent Active Service in the Air Force, in the normal Navigating Role (pilots) and in the Normal Role of Weapons, Air Force Engineering, the Air Force Commissariat Corps, and the Air Force Medical Corps. The Institute also conducts Courses for Officer Cadets (Reserve Pilots and Fixed-Term Officers) and directly appointed Second Lieutenants (both Normal and Special Roles); finally, the Academy's Study Plan includes courses with a specialised aeronautical connotation for foreign personnel and other Armed Forces.
