Thursday 30 June, at the hangar of the “Enrico Comani” military airport Latina Scalo, the ceremony of took place handover in command of 70th Wing “Giulio Cesare Graziani”, between Colonel Pilot Michele Grassi, outgoing commander, and Colonel Pilot Giuseppe Bellomo, incoming commander.
The event took place in the presence of the Commander of the Italian Air Force Schools and 3rd Air Region of Bari, Air Squad General Silvano Frigerio, and saw the participation of the most important military authorities, civilians e religious local, representatives of Story and some Ex-servicemen's and Armed Forces Associations.
During his farewell speech, Colonel Grassi thanked the civil and military authorities who attended for the ongoing support and for the effective collaboration always demonstrated throughout a period of command characterised by the ongoing delicate Covid-19 emergency situation. Turning then to the staff of the Storm and to the frequent patrons he wanted to emphasise that “the remarkable results achieved despite the lockdown are the fruit of the selflessness and exceptional spirit of service of all the personnel of the 70th Wing who, in compliance with the containment measures imposed, made it possible to deliver the courses without any delay, guaranteeing the almost total absence of infections in the workplace and ensuring efficiency and results although in a continuously changing reality. You have honoured our motto “one for all”, meaning one for all and, I might add, all for one, teamwork, and the results are proof of that.”And turning to Colonel Bellomo“the Stormo has seen the enhancement activity it hoped for. The new mess, the new accommodation, the new flight group are merely the beginning of the rebirth of the Flight School at the Latina air base. To you, Giuseppe, I wish the strength and flexibility to foster and bring about the change and enhancement of the Latina flight school. A period rich in challenges awaits you, but full of satisfactions where in every problem, I am sure, you will know how to find an opportunity”.
Colonel Bellomo said he was extremely proud of the position assigned to him and thanked the higher authorities for having appointed him to the prestigious position of Commander of the 70th Wing, “flight school that plays an irreplaceable and strategic role in the selection and training process of Air Force pilots, effectively representing an invaluable asset for the country, consisting above all of human resources and professional skills, solid values, and unique traditions consolidated over time”and addressing the personnel of the Wing, his “Team”, he wanted to emphasise come”only through synergistic and coordinated action can we continue to carry out our mission, ensuring Italy and our Allied and friendly nations pilots of the highest quality who combine excellent professional skills with deep motivation, in compliance with those values such as loyalty, honour and the spirit of service upon which the very essence of the Italian Air Force and the Armed Forces is founded”.
Ha, at last, he spoke, the Commander of the Italian Air Force Schools and 3rd Air Region, who wished to greet the assembled Authorities, the Labours and the Combatant and Veterans“ Associations who “with their tireless work they help to keep alive the links with the past and strong the heritage of values that has always distinguished our actionse”. In thanking Colonel Grassi for the excellent work done and wishing Colonel Bellomo the very best of luck for his period of Command, the General Frigerio he wanted to highlight how “the 70th Wing has become a benchmark in flight training not only nationally, but also internationally, bearing witness to the quality and validity of the training provision, and to the competence and professionalism of the personnel, starting with the flight instructors”. He then continued stating What “The future presents us with increasingly complex and ever-evolving scenarios, unpredictable challenges to which we must respond; this demands continuous improvement, including in the flight training sector. To you, Giuseppe, falls the task of carrying to completion, with your team, what was started by Michele, making the most of all the expertise, professionalism and above all humility that distinguish you”.
