The students of the 1st Regular Course were awarded the coveted Sword in the presence of the Commander of the Air Force Schools / 3rd Air Region.
The event took place at the Teatro Hall of’Air Force Academy, in the presence of Air Force Corps General Silvano Frigerio, the traditional handover ceremony of the Spadini 82 Cadets of the 1st Regular Course.
The Commander of the Air Force Academy, Air Brigade General Luigi Casali, welcomed the civil and military authorities present, and wished to thank the attending families for the fundamental role they played in the upbringing and growth of their children, thanks to which the Air Force Academy found fertile ground on which to consolidate ethical values Ed I guiding principles in which all personnel of the Air Force recognise themselves.
Addressed to the students of the first Course, he stated that:“Lo Spadino [...] represents a symbol that highlights belonging to the history of our Armed Force. For this reason the Tradition He wants this symbol to be delivered into your hands by the Aspirants of Course Borea VI; this gesture represents an important handover of duties, traditions, and values passed down through generations of air academy attendees. An exhilarating moment in the life of every student, which encompasses for each one the feelings of pride, For succeeding in completing a particularly selective training process; enthusiasm, for the future challenges yet to be faced; affection, To all the course colleagues with whom the joys and difficulties of the selection and the Course were shared.
At the conclusion of his speech, General Casali declared: “To you, Cadets, who today received your Sword, your Eagle, and to all the prize-winners, encouragement for ever greater successes. Continue like this, never resting on your laurels, with the same determination that has brought you this far in this life choice.
The ceremony began with the presentation of the Pilot/Aircraft Navigator Eagles to 33 first-year cadets, 9 Reserve Sergeant Pilots, and 2 Reserve Sergeant Navigators, belonging to the 128th AUPC/AUNC Course, who had earned their respective wings after a long and demanding training programme comprising a ground preparation phase and a flight phase conducted on the aircraft. SF.260 EA. Representing the 70th Wing of Latina, the Commander was present, Colonel Giuseppe Bellomo, along with a quota of instructors.
Subsequently, after the blessing by the Military Chaplain, the recruits of the 1st Course received from the third-year Cadets (Borea VI) the Spadino, The emblem of the young cadet of the Military Academies, as well as a symbol of the commitment to honour the ideals of loyalty, courage and sense of duty that will accompany them throughout their military lives, first as a student in the Academy and then throughout their entire careers.
Testifying to the strong and indissoluble bond that unites the different generations, present were the Air Marshal Enrico Degni, Capo Corso del Drago IV, and the Major Luca Guasti, Dragon's Cape V.
During the ceremony, the following were also presented:
· The scholarships“Professor Valentino Losito”named in memory of the esteemed lecturer;
· the prize “City of Pozzuoli – Golden Eagle”, presented by Mayor Luigi Manzoni, established by the Municipality of Pozzuoli in favour of a resident and a foreigner who have particularly distinguished themselves in flying activities;
· i distinctions for merit Ed I Sports merit badges To the Second Lieutenants, Aspirants and Cadets who have distinguished themselves through commitment, discipline, reliability and results in their studies and in various sporting disciplines.
Air Force General Silvano Frigerio, Commander of the Air Force Schools Command and 3rd Air Region, addressing the newly qualified personnel, emphasised: “Young men and women, you can rightly feel proud of the eagle now pinned to your chests, a symbol for which you have faced an intense selection process. In the coming years, flight training to become military pilots and navigators will require further commitment and sacrifice, which will be rewarded by the knowledge that you are doing one of the most beautiful jobs in the world!”
And finally, addressing the students of the 1st academic year: “The “Spadino” you have just been presented with is a symbol that highlights your belonging to the history of our Armed Force, uniting feelings of pride with those of the individuals who have carried it by their side from 1923 to the present day. It is therefore our task to continuously improve training programmes to continue the “flight towards the future,” as the motto of Centenary of the Air Force which we will be celebrating next year”.
In the evening, the traditional award ceremony was held, the “Penguin”during which the senior course, the Centaur VI, welcomed the “Pingui” into academic life. There was no shortage of solidarity: a charity raffle was organised, the proceeds of which will be entirely donated to the’Association ONLUS “Captain Pilot Gabriele Orlandi”, who diligently engages in promoting flying activities, supporting studies, and funding hospital departments and volunteer associations.
