The young patients, in imminent danger of death, were urgently transported by aircraft of the 31st Wing from Lamezia Terme and Cagliari to specialised treatment centres in Rome and Milan.

A double air rescue operation, conducted by the Italian Air Force to save two newborn babies, just one day old and both in urgent need of specialised care, concluded this early afternoon.

The first operation involved a young girl admitted to the “Dulbecco” Hospital in Catanzaro. Due to her critical health condition, an immediate transfer to the “Bambino Gesù” Paediatric Hospital in Rome was necessary. A Gulfstream 650 aircraft from the 31st Wing departed from Lamezia Airport at 13:30 local time (11:30Z), landing in Ciampino after approximately one hour of flight.

Almost simultaneously, a second detachment from the 31st Wing intervened in Sardinia to rescue another newborn in imminent danger of life, coming from the Hospital of Cagliari. The aircraft took off from the Sardinian airport at 13:00 local time (11:00Z) bound for Milan Linate, to allow for the subsequent admission of the infant to the “San Donato” Paediatric Hospital.

In both cases, the newborn babies travelled safely in specially designed incubators and were continuously looked after by medical teams consisting of two specialists. On the flight from Cagliari, the little one was also accompanied by her father.

The flight activation procedures were coordinated by the Prefectures of Catanzaro and Cagliari, in close contact with the Summit Situations Room of the Air Squadron Command, the operational room of the Italian Air Force which, among its duties, also manages these types of missions for the benefit of the community.

These interventions were authorised by the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, the body responsible for the management and coordination of the State aircraft fleet for public utility activities.

Today's missions were carried out promptly thanks to the constant readiness service of the crews of the 31st Wing of Ciampino, one of the Air Force units that ensures, 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, the urgent medical transport of citizens in situations of serious danger. Thanks to the rapid deployment of its assets, the Armed Force guarantees an immediate and effective response in service of the country and its health structures, minimising travel times to national centres of medical excellence.