Great success and appreciation from the public for the Italian Air Force at the Royal International Air Tattoo. The Armed Force wins two important awards.
The impressive Royal International Air Tattoo 2023 air show concluded in Fairford (UK), from 14-16 July. The Italian Air Force participated in this year's edition with an extensive and significant presence of assets and personnel, thus involving the international public in the celebrations for the Centenary of its establishment as an autonomous armed force, on 28 March 1923.
The Chief of Staff of the Air Force, General S.A. Luca Goretti, who wished to meet all personnel in blue involved in the event’s success in Fairford, stated: “The significant participation of the Italian Air Force in the Royal International Air Tattoo 2023 was an opportunity to celebrate its first 100 years of history, also within the specific context of one of the most prestigious air shows in the world, as well as a further sign of the fruitful collaboration and closeness between Italy and the United Kingdom: two great countries, among the few in the world, possessing air forces over a century old and among the most advanced on the international stage. I want to thank the women and men of the Air Force for what they have demonstrated at this international showcase, for the preparation and technical and operational expertise shown, which in recent days has earned me many expressions of appreciation and attention from colleagues in other air forces, and which are natural consequences of the commitment, passion, and professionalism expounded every day and in silence, both in Italy and beyond national borders.”
The ITAF100 thematic area, set up by the RIAT organisation, was visited by a numerous and varied public, not at all discouraged by the episodes of bad weather, even intense, that punctuated the three days of the event. Numerous key assets of the Italian Air Force were on static display, including: the KC-767A tanker, the G-550 CAEW surveillance and Command and Control system, the P-72 maritime reconnaissance aircraft, the C-130J strategic transport aircraft, the HH-101 helicopter, used for special operations, the Tornado, AMX and Eurofighter combat aircraft, not to mention the two special colour U-208 and C-27J. ITAF100 also hosted some aircraft that were part of the history of the Italian Air Force, made available by private individuals. Among these were the De Havilland Vampire FB.52 and the FIAT G.46.
The public's reception to the flying displays was also enthusiastic, starting with that of the 15th Wing, which, for the first time outside national borders, performed a Search and Rescue (SAR) mission demonstration with an HH-139 helicopter, despite the bad weather that led to the cancellation of numerous displays on the first day of the show. It was, however, a return for the Experimental Flight Department, with displays from the Eurofighter Typhoon and T-346A. It was precisely the Experimental Flight Department team that was awarded the “The Sir Douglas Bader Trophy” by the RIAT organisation last year for the best solo performance by the C-27J.
Still on the subject of accolades, this year too the Italian Air Force has been distinguished with particular mentions, winning two awards. The first, for the Concours d’élégance, which aims to reward the aircraft with the most beautiful, best-presented livery and the most distinctive character, was awarded by a team of international judges to the U-208 “Special Color” of the 60th Wing of Guidonia, with its livery dedicated to the Centenary of the Armed Force. An award that colleagues wished to dedicate to two fallen aviators, recently deceased: Col. Giuseppe Cipriano and Lt. Col. Marco Meneghello, both of the 60th Wing.
The second, personally presented by the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, is the “Spirit of the Meet” award, given to the participating nation that has best embodied and represented the spirit and values of R.I.A.T.
The warm welcome afforded by the organisation of the Royal International Air Tattoo and by English colleagues to the Italian Air Force is based on mutual respect and a close, long-standing collaboration between the two Air Forces. This collaboration was recently strengthened with the signing, last May, of an agreement providing for the advanced training (Phase IV) of student pilots and instructor pilots at the International Flight Training School (IFTS) in Decimomannu (CA). The IFTS is internationally recognised as a centre of excellence and a benchmark in the advanced training of pilots destined for 4th and 5th generation fighters, and it draws upon the experience and tradition of the Italian Air Force and Italian technological capabilities, expressed in the sophisticated integrated training system based on the T-346A platform.
