Passing of the Baton at the Command of the “Meraviglioso” On Thursday 27 September, at the 4th Wing “Amedeo d’Aosta”, the ceremony for the handing over of command of the 9th Fighter Group took place between outgoing Group Commander Lt. Col. Roberto L. and incoming Commander Major Michele N. The event, presided over by Colonel Urbano Floreani, Commander of the 4th Wing, was attended by a large contingent of personnel from the Unit, personnel from the Flying Group and former members of the "Meraviglioso".
The ceremony, which began with the traditional “Change of Command in Flight” between the Squadron Commanders, subsequently continued in Hangar 2. In his farewell speech, the outgoing Commander thanked Colonel Floreani, his colleagues from the Wing and the “old guard” of the 9th Squadron, and highlighted that “Commanding the IX Group is a realisation that dawns slowly, like trying to tame a fast-running thoroughbred. Many projects, many missions and tasks completed. There were very many days this year when the IX Group had no less than 6 pilots on alert simultaneously, both in Italy and abroad, to excellently guarantee the defence and security of the skies of the country and of NATO, a tangible sign of perfect teamwork.”Subsequently, when taking the floor, the incoming Commander, echoing the words of his predecessor, stated how “Commanding the IX Group means embracing over a hundred years of frontline history as protagonists. In the near future, we will be called upon to face ever more numerous and complex challenges that require an Air Force that is flexible, interoperable, projectable, highly technological, and consequently, professionally very well-prepared. The future must be managed, anticipated, and transformed into a factor of improvement and progress. Evolving within tradition has always characterised the IX Group's modus operandi, strengthening its operational capabilities and invigorating its spirit. Starting today, I expect a united, enthusiastic, prepared Group, worthy, through its actions, of being able, knowing how, and wanting to do, with full dedication, availability, and loyalty.”.
Finally, Colonel Floreani, Commander of the 4th Wing, made explicit reference to a rather unusual reality in his speech, that of the IX Group: “In this hangar, the air is steeped in tradition, pride, and sacrifice, and it is precisely in remembering those who served before us and left us such a weighty legacy that we feel small and regain the right dose of humility.” “From tomorrow, Roberto” addressing the outgoing Commander, “you will have another piece of history to tell and pass down. Under your command, the IX continued to be a genuine Fighter Group, extremely prolific, enthusiastic and positive, generous, combative and genuinely ambitious. It was a Group that experienced moments of glory, but that always wisely remained with its feet on the ground, working hard to achieve all the objectives of the Department and the Air Force in service of the Country. This IX Group was permeated by that healthy spirit of service and belonging which is the secret to the essence of being a soldier..When assigning command of the Group to the incoming Commander, he recognised intellectual honesty and genuine courtesy.”Michele, today I entrust the "Meraviglioso" to you, certain that your qualities will produce the brilliant results we expect from you and the Group. A very tough and exciting period of work awaits you, which only you can elevate to the status of a mission for your IX Group.”The 9th Group is one of the flying Groups that provides daily National Airspace Surveillance Service.
The institutional role of the 4th Wing is to “ensure the air defence of the national area of interest, contributing to the control of the relevant airspace from peacetime, and to carry out air defence operations in assigned areas, within the framework of participation in international operations and crisis management.”.
Specifically, the Department is engaged in an alert service, 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, through the deployment of the Eurofighter aircraft. Furthermore, the 4th Wing is responsible for ensuring the operational conversion of Air Force pilots for deployment on the EF2000.
