The solemn oath-taking ceremony, sealed by the traditional fly-past of the Frecce Tricolori, took place in the presence of the Minister of Defence, Guido Crosetto.
Today, Wednesday 16 April, the Oath and Baptism Ceremony for the students of course Falco VI, 1st year of the Regular Courses, took place at the A.M. Specialists School in Caserta.
129 young cadets, from all regions of Italy and selected from around 5000 admission applications, have sworn allegiance to the Italian Republic and its Institutions and have formally committed to honouring the ideals of loyalty, courage, and a sense of duty, the founding principles of the Armed Force.
The ceremony was held in the presence of the Minister of Defence Guido Crosetto, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Luciano Portolano, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Air Force General Luca Goretti, and numerous local military, civilian, and religious authorities.
As is traditional, the Gonfalon of the City of Naples, decorated with the Gold Medal for Military Valour, that of the province of Caserta, the City of Caserta, the Campania Region, the Metropolitan City of Naples and the Municipality of Pozzuoli were present, along with the Standards and representatives of the Veterans' and Armed Forces Associations.
The Commander of the Air Force Academy, Air Division General Luigi Casali, after greeting and thanking the authorities, the distinguished guests, and especially the proud parents of the young cadets of the 1st course who had turned out in great numbers, highlighted: “...To select, train, and inspire exemplary commanders and professionals determined to serve our country with excellence and dedication. This is the delicate mission assigned to the Air Force Academy, which for over a century has been preparing officers who join the great Italian Air Force team so that they are ready to win the new challenges that the country asks us to face.”
Addressing today's young protagonists: “...Always carry with you the commitment you will solemnly undertake today. Love and respect our Institutions and be ready to defend them with passion, competence and determination. The satisfactions you will receive will be far greater than the sacrifices that will be required of you!”
Following the Oath, the Baptism of the Course took place, a moment when the banner, through an symbolic handover between the godfathers of the previous Falcon Courses generations, was entrusted to the Course Leader of Falcon VI.
An act that marked the official welcome into the ranks of the Air Force. The two moments of the Oath and the Baptism of the course were sealed by the flypast of the Frecce Tricolori, who painted the traditional tricolour across the Caserta sky.
During his speech, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Air Marshal Luca Goretti, highlighted: “...swearing allegiance to the Republic and its institutions, the sixth generation of falcons has today taken flight, becoming an integral part of the armed force, its ranks and its history... you become part of a glorious history, in peace as in war, determined, with expertise and foresight, by the pride, passion and valour of its protagonists, always striving for technological and doctrinal primacy, in defence of our skies and those of our allies. The Air Force that welcomes you is a “long-range” armed force, which continues to break its own records in speed and altitude with its astronauts, present in major space missions, and which does not hesitate to project aerospace power, from the Indo-Pacific to Alaska, from Africa to NATO's eastern flank, in defence of our allies most exposed to the dramatic crises that characterise the current operational context...”, he then addressed the Cadets of Course Falco VI, highlighting: “...continue to be the shining example of dedication and discipline that those who observe you seek in you, aware that every gesture, every decision, every sacrifice is functional to the achievement of a higher purpose, the completion of our mission: to guarantee the security of the sky and from the sky. and may the flight be the most audacious in the peace of our flights! ...it is your duty to be interpreters, as well as guardians, of this noble history, drawing inspiration from it in the development of the various professional paths, all of the highest specialist and technical profile, with which you have chosen to serve your country; as well as in the most challenging moments that will characterise your service, thereby fuelling, day after day, the high purposes freely and so solemnly undertaken today.”
Continuing, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Luciano Portolano reminded the students that they will face one of the most important and difficult challenges: that of being military leaders, charismatic individuals capable of inspiring trust, building cohesion, and leading their personnel with character, competence, and courage, both physical and moral.
“Dear Cadets, today, on your oath-taking day, I bow before each of you. I do so not only as Minister, but on behalf of the Government and the 60 million Italians you have chosen to protect. Thank you. I am here to honour your decision to wear the uniform of the Air Force: a courageous choice, which speaks of responsibility, dedication, and love for the country. Serving the State, today, may seem like a difficult concept to explain, to talk about on social media. But looking into your eyes, I see beyond the uniforms: I see women and men who have decided to defend me, my loved ones, all of us,” he added later: “The future will ask you to master ever more advanced technologies, but it will be the strength of ancient values – those that your new family, the Defence, will instil in you – that will truly guide you. Because only those values will always allow you to distinguish good from evil. And in this, Artificial Intelligence will not be able to replace you.”.
As is tradition, the “Day in honour of Italy's Gold Medals for Military Valour” was also celebrated during the event, during which Army Corps General Rosario Aiosa, a recipient of the Gold Medal for Military Valour, wished to address a message of good wishes to the young cadets who have just taken their solemn oath.
Some information about Course Falco VI:
The Falco VI Course is comprised of a total of 140 attendees, of which 129 are Italian and eleven are of foreign nationality, making a total of 109 men and 31 women. Specifically, the course consists of: 63 Pilots, 31 from the Weapons Role, 23 from the Aeronautical Engineering Corps, 10 from the Supply Corps, and 13 from the Aeronautical Health Corps. During their academic path, based on current international cooperation agreements formalised by the Italian Air Force in the field of training, the young cadets are joined by 11 foreign students from 6 different nations (Azerbaijan, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Jordan, Libya, Niger, Senegal, and Tunisia). As per tradition, reinstated with the sixth generation where each course is assigned a colour, Falco VI will have the vermilion red as its identifier. Course Motto: “Falcon, Italy is your nest, the world is your horizon”.