The emergency medical transport of a day-old baby who was hospitalised with severe cardiac dysfunction at the “Duilio Casula” Hospital in Monserrato, in the province of Cagliari, and who needed to be transferred as soon as possible to the IRCCS Policlinico San Donato in Milan, concluded late yesterday evening.
The air ambulance flight, requested by the Prefecture of Cagliari and authorised by the Summit Situations Room of the Air Force Command, was carried out with a Falcon 50 from the 31st Wing of Ciampino, one of the Air Force's flying units which ensures aircraft and crews are ready to take off at short notice, 24 hours a day, all year round, for this type of mission. The newborn, accompanied by both parents, was assisted by a medical team during the flight.
All necessary procedures were carried out for the military crew to carry out the mission, the aircraft took off from Ciampino airport in the late afternoon to head first towards Cagliari airport where it embarked the child and the team, and then headed for Milan Linate for the subsequent transfer by land in the evening to the specialised Lombard care centre that was waiting for him.
Crews and transport aircraft of the Italian Air Force are ready every single day of the year, 24 hours a day, to ensure, where required and deemed necessary for urgent reasons, the medical transport of people in imminent danger of death, or of organs or medical teams. Hundreds of flight hours are carried out each year for this type of mission, in support of citizens, by aircraft from the 31st Wing of Ciampino, the 14th Wing of Pratica di Mare, and the 46th Air Brigade of Pisa.
Where there are specific operational requirements, the Italian Air Force also employs helicopters from the 15th Wing of Cervia.
