Rally-goers from all Italian regions have arrived in the city, and thousands of people are on the seafront to watch the Frecce Tricolori display.
From 20 to 22 May, the 21st National Rally of the Air Force Association - Aviators of Italy, on the occasion of which a series of events were organised, attended by various institutional Authorities from the Autonomous Region of Sardinia, military and religious authorities, Armed Forces and Veterans’ Associations, and the Gonfalons of Autonomous Region of Sardinia, of the province of Sassari and the city of Alghero.
All activities of the Rally, organised by the’National Association of Air Force Personnel in collaboration with the municipality of Alghero, they were part of the programme of celebrations on the occasion of the 70th Anniversary of the Foundation of the Italian Air Force Association and 79th Anniversary of the bombing of the city of Alghero and its military airport on May 17, 1943. Aviation events that are part of the other activities being organised in anticipation of the Centenary of the Air Force which will officially fall on 28 March 2023.
The special guest of the Gathering was the National Acrobatic Patrol What, in the evocative setting of the Marco Polo and Cristoforo Colombo seafront in Alghero, with its performance, kept thousands of people looking up at the sky. In addition to the Frecce Tricolori, the air show also included Italian Air Force training aircraft, the S-208 of the 60th Wing, the MB-339 and T-346A of the 61st Wing and a helicopter HH-139B of the’80° CSAR Centre of the 15th Wing che, with the thrilling fly-past during which a rescuer, winched down, waved the Tricolore to the tune of the National Anthem, officially opened the event and was immediately followed by a demonstration of Search and Rescue of a person lost at seaSAR demo) – activities that the Centre, together with other SAR Centres of the Armed Force, carries out in real contexts, making its capabilities available to the country 365 days a year, 24 hours a day.
For the National President of the Air Force Association, Air Force General (Ret.) Giulio Mainini “The National Rally is the highest expression of vitality and presence, both nationally and abroad. It is an extraordinary event of great external significance, which aims to confirm the closeness and affection of all Members towards the Armed Forces and, at the same time, to highlight with a series of celebratory events the widespread presence throughout the national territory and abroad of numerous Association structures that operate for the safeguarding of the ideals and values of aviators.“
Among the many events that took place as part of the Rally, Friday 20 May the inauguration of a“Blue Village”with the setup of an exhibition area curated by the Air Force in Piazza Pino Piras in Alghero, where it was possible to experience the thrill of flight thanks to two recreational flight simulators and admire a cockpit MB339PAN located on the seafront in Alghero. In the evening, a conference was held on the theme “Remembrance of the bombing of May 17, 1943 and Sardinia's aeronautical vocation“, organised by Centre for Air Force Military Studies (CESMA) at the “Miramare” Cinema in Alghero. For the Armed Forces, Air Brigade General Luigi Casali and Air Brigade General Davide Marzinotto participated in the conference, who, together with Dr. Giuseppe Recchia from the Aircraft Division of Leonardo, explained the characteristics and potential of the to the audience, which included many young students.’International Flight Training School (IFTS): a centre of excellence for advanced flight training being established at Decimomannu military airport (CA) which, in addition to being a strategic investment in terms of military policy, will also have significant economic benefits for the region.
Saturday 21 May The main event that characterised the Rally was the air show which drew thousands of people to Alghero's seafront, a mix of the curious and flying enthusiasts. Before the aerial display by the Air Force aircraft, a ceremony took place in the morning – among other events – where middle school pupils laid a wreath in homage to the Fallen of all wars. At the end of the Frecce Tricolori display, which closed the air show, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Luca Goretti, met some regional and local media and highlighted to them that “The Italian Air Force returns to Sardinia after several years with an event that had been in the making for a long time and was subsequently postponed due to the COVID-19 emergency. The presence today of thousands of people applauding the National Aerobatic Team is a unique satisfaction for me and is tangible proof of the population's closeness to the Air Force, which, not only with the Frecce Tricolori, but with all its assets and personnel, represents the best of Italy. The National Aerobatic Team is just the tip of the iceberg of an Armed Force that is a national pride and is demonstrating this not only with the Frecce Tricolori – ambassadors of Italian excellence worldwide – but also with the Armed Force's commitment, at this moment, to defend NATO borders: this is proof that if we can train, we are present and we do our duty.“In the evening, a concert by the Italian Air Force Band in Largo Lo Quarter in Alghero concluded the exciting series of events that took place during the day.
Sunday 22nd May, at the close of the Rally, there were speeches by the various participating Authorities, including that of President of the Autonomous Region of Sardinia, Christian Solinas, who highlighted how “Sardinia looks with great closeness and friendship to the Air Force with which it is developing projects of international significance, such as the International Flight Training School What is emerging at the Decimomannu military airport (CA) is a project in an excellent state of advancement and of extraordinary relevance, capable of developing high levels of training and technology which will also have positive economic impacts for the region, with a view to renewed collaboration between Institutions. Decimomannu will become a centre of excellence for advanced flight training, and will host the most modern and evolved integrated training system among those present in other Western countries, created thanks to the positive synergy between the defence sector, industry and our Region.“On the occasion of the air show on Saturday 21 May, President Solinas also stressed that“the organisation of 21st National Air Force Association Rally in Alghero is an important sign of the Blue Army's closeness to the city and to all of Sardinia, and that events like these project the island and the host city onto a national and international stage, helping and contributing to the recovery of tourist demand.“.
Even the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, he made his presence felt during the Rally: “[…] while I pay tribute to the banners of the present Arms Associations and to the memory of those who with dedication testified their attachment to the Fatherland, I emphasise how the heritage of values and the tradition of professionalism of the Italian Air Force, with the involvement of all enthusiasts of aeronautical sport and the progress of flight, they constitute a commendable feature of’the Association's activities, which aim to preserve its experiences, in the ideal handover that links serving and retired military personnel. One step away from the finish line that will lead to the celebration of the Italian Air Force's centenary next year, I express to all present, on behalf of the Republic, feelings of esteem and gratitude.“.
