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31st Wing, VH139: Ten years in service of the country

The ten years of the VH139 helicopter of the 93rd Flight Wing of the 31st Air Wing were celebrated at Ciampino Airport

  • Date: 03/06/2022
Author: Captain Simone Antonetti
  • Source: 31st Wing - Ciampino
It was on May 31st, 2012 when the VH139 helicopter landed for the first time at Ciampino Airport, effectively marking the start of its service with the 31st Flight Wing. Yesterday, Tuesday, May 31st, 2022, the first 10 years of service for the 93rd Flight Group were celebrated in the helicopter hangar of the 31st Flight Wing of the Italian Air Force. 
 
Pilots, crews, technicians, former members of the 93rd Group and friends of the 31st Stormo have shared operational experiences and professional memories of these ten years that saw the VH139, built by the Leonardo Helicopters Division, play a leading role in transporting high-ranking state officials and personnel from the Civil Protection Department.
 
During the opening speech, Major Federico Rispoli, commander of the 93rd Flight Group, emphasized: “Given the particular type of mission we are called upon to perform, which is often assigned with short notice and for a wide variety of requirements, the VH139 helicopter seems like a tailor-made suit for us of the 93rd Group. Thanks to features such as versatility and flexibility, it allows us to successfully complete even the most challenging missions.”
 
“10 years of VH139. An helicopter that has gathered an important legacy, that of the SH-3D”. These are the words of the Commander of the 31st Squadron, Colonel Gianmattia Somma. “In these ten years it has proven to be up to the task of its predecessor, bringing home equally excellent and important results. The VH139 of Leonardo represents one of the best syntheses of Made in Italy, also thanks to the teamwork between the Air Force and the national aeronautical industry.”.
 
“In ten years – continued Colonel Somma – we have accumulated approximately 6500 hours of flight time, we have qualified 27 pilots, at the moment we have 12 pilots and 14 flight attendants that allow us to carry out the mission of the Stormo. Two Popes, two Presidents of the Republic and numerous High State and Government Officials have flown on this aircraft.”.

To conclude the interventions of this brief ceremony was also Mr. Alfredo Vinciguerra, Commercial Director of the Leonardo Helicopters Division, who in his speech emphasized: “10 years together are very important; we have grown together. 10 years of national excellence demonstrated all over the world. This product has grown enormously thanks to the synergy and collaboration between Leonardo and the Italian Air Force. Today this machine is the leader in its class worldwide, sold in 70 countries with 1300 units sold; the entire fleet has exceeded 3 million flight hours: all this thanks to your complex and strict requirements that allowed us to create this technological jewel. Mr. Vinciguerra then concluded: “The adventure of the 139 in the Italian Air Force began on May 31, 2012. Today the Air Force is one of the largest users worldwide of the 139, it has the largest fleet, and this is a great achievement for us.”

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