Second appearance of the Frecce Tricolori and the 15th Wing helicopters in the Romagna Riviera on the anniversary of Anita and Giuseppe Garibaldi's landing at Magnavacca (Lido delle Nazioni).
Yesterday, 3 August, the Frecce Tricolori returned to colour the skies of the province of Ferrara after their flypast in 2018 on the occasion of Balloons Festival held in the Urban Park of the city of Ferrara. The beach at Lido degli Scacchi saw the protagonist The Italian Air Force, present with a promotional stand and represented by its most famous “calling card”, The National Acrobatic Patrol (PAN) and from the helicopters of the 15th Wing. A performance in front of a very large audience who were able to enjoy a splendid day by the sea, enhanced by a breathtaking spectacle.
The event was attended by civil and military authorities from the province, including The Commander of the Air and Space Operations Command (COA) of Poggio Renatico (Ferrara), General D.A. Claudio Gabellini and the Mayor of Comacchio Pierluigi Negri.
The Air Show was opened by the classic “flag pass”, accompanied by the notes of the Mameli Hymn and the S.A.R. (Search and Rescue – Search and Rescue) of the helicopter HH139B from the 83rd Combat SAR of 15th Wing, based in Cervia. This was followed by the breathtaking flights of some civilian acrobatic aircraft (CAP 10, CAP 232, PITTS and Blue Voltige) which preceded the daring display of Stuntwoman wingwalker who walked on the wings of a high-altitude biplane.
The extraordinary performance of the Frecce Tricolori with the aircraft MB339A, always under the watchful supervision via radio of Commander of the PAN, Lieutenant Colonel Stefano VIT, the Air show concluded, once again thrilling a visibly enthusiastic audience.
As the day continued, officials and numerous guests gathered at the “Capanno di Garibaldi” (formerly Capanno Cavalieri) on the Lido delle Nazioni, for the commemoration of Anita and Garibaldi's landing at Pialassa di Magnavacca, which occurred on 3 August 1849. For the occasion, the “Friends of Capanno Garibaldi,” through Mayor Negri, wished to thank the protagonists of the Air Show by gifting them a symbolic anchor, the “Guardian Cross of the Po Delta.” Lieutenant Colonel VIT, in his brief speech, emphasized how the term “Frecce Tricolori” identifies the National Aerobatic Team both in Italy and around the world. He noted that this team, in all its displays, spectacularly showcases the capabilities and technology of our country, the Air Force, and all the Armed Forces.
In conclusion, General Gabellini thanked the mayor and the “Capanno di Garibaldi” association for allowing the Air Force personnel to be appreciated not only in their natural domain, namely aerospace, but also in the social one, showing themselves amongst the people and for the people in an ideal symbiosis that binds the personnel in blue to the territory of Ferrara, both through the gleaming calling card represented by the PAN (Frecce Tricolori), but also through the strong professionalism of the women and men of the SAR (Search and Rescue), permanently at the service of the community.
The brief ceremony concluded with a flag-lowering organised by some members of the Arma Aeronautica Association who were in attendance.
