On September 9, 2026, at the military airport of Pratica di Mare (Rome), in the presence of the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, General of the Air Force Antonio Conserva, the celebratory ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the reconstitution of the 14th Squadron took place; a commemoration that represented a moment of reflection on the history of the Squadron, its constant evolution, and the capabilities that today characterize its operational deployment.
The event brought together military authorities, representatives of institutions, personnel on duty, and numerous key figures who, over the years, have contributed to the growth of the Squadron. The event was attended by the Commander of the Air Force and 1st Air Region, General of the Air Force Mauro Lunardi, the Air Force General Gianni Candotti, already Commander of the 14th Air Wing, the Commander of the Mobility and Support Forces, Air Vice-Marshal Alessandro De Lorenzo and the Commander of the 14th Air Wing, Colonel Alfredo Pietrolucci.
During the day, the commemorative volume was presented. Lux et Umbra: Half a Century of Electronic Avant-garde and Global Projection, created to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the Stormo’s reconstitution in Pratica di Mare. The publication traces the evolution of the Stormo, the transformations in its operational capabilities, and the people who have accompanied its history, with the aim of preserving its memory and transmitting values and identity to future generations.
The celebration took on additional significance with the recognition of two important milestones. On the one hand, the 50,000 flight hours reached by Boeing KC-767A fleet, operated by the’8th Flight Group, On the other hand, 110 years since the constitution From the same Group that remains the oldest in the Air Force, a testament to the intense activity of the 14th Fighter Wing fleet and its crews, and the ability to operate in different geographical and operational scenarios, from Europe to Africa, from the Middle East to the Indo-Pacific. This milestone is also the result of the work of generations of men and women and the consolidated synergy between the Air Force and Boeing that has accompanied the introduction, deployment, and continued evolution of the platform, contributing to developing expertise, technologies, and professionalism over time and projecting Italian capabilities far beyond national borders.
The final highlight of the day was the fly-over performed by the aircraft of the 8th and 71st Flight Group. The first formation, composed of three KC-767A aircraft, flew over the Pratica di Mare airport, followed by a formation composed of three different aircraft: a Beechcraft Super King Air 350ER SPYDR, a Gulfstream G550, and a Piaggio P180. The sequence provided a representation of the various capabilities demonstrated by the 14th Flight Wing, from projection and in-flight refueling to surveillance, information gathering, radio measurements, and transport.
At the conclusion of the flyover, two KC-767A aircraft performed a demonstration of refueling between aircraft of the same type, in the so-called configuration Buddy-Buddy. The maneuver offered a concrete representation of one of the fleet’s main operational capabilities, highlighting the level of training of the crews and the complex work of the personnel who daily ensure the efficiency of the assets. The flyover therefore synthesized, through the platforms and operational capabilities of the 8th and 71st Flight Group, the path taken by the 14th Squadron over fifty years of presence in Pratica di Mare: from the evolution of electronic and surveillance capabilities to global projection, in-flight refueling, strategic transport, and the most modern capabilities to support operations.
The 50th anniversary represented a moment of synthesis between the past, present and future, in which the history of the 14th Squadron was reflected in the capabilities expressed today by its Flight Groups. From the activities of radio measurements and electronic warfare that marked its origins, the Department has over time developed a structured operational tool capable of integrating airspace surveillance, information gathering, in-flight refueling, strategic transport, medical support and aerial projection, operating daily at the service of the Armed Forces and the national system. Fifty years after its reconstitution in Pratica di Mare, the Squadron looks to the future by evolving its instrument, while remaining connected to its history, aware that the ability to face the scenarios of tomorrow stems from experience, innovation and professionalism of those who, every day, work to ensure the safety of the country and contribute to collective security.
