A photographic exhibition telling the story of the Italian Air Force Special Forces and the origins of the 17th Raider Wing was inaugurated. On Sunday 26 May, at the Municipal Hall in front of what was once the residence of Ludovico Ariosto, located in the historic centre of Castelnuovo di Garfagnana (LU), the inauguration of the photographic exhibition entitled: “from the Arditi to the Raiders of the Italian Air Force”which will end on 3 June. The event, organised thanks to the invaluable contribution provided by local volunteers belonging to the ANPD’I – Garfagnana Parachute Unit – Lucca Section – and under the patronage of the Municipality of Castelnuovo, saw the participation, as speakers, of the Councillor for Culture Dr Pierluigi Raggi, Brigadier General Raider Riccardo Rinaldi, Commander of the Guidonia Aerocooperation School, a Raider officer from the 17th Wing, Dr Luigi Casanova, an expert in military history, retired Parachute Sergeant Riccardo De Lucia and retired Alpine Sergeant Ermanno Lucchesi. Providing the backdrop for the event was the wonderful “Luigi Suffredini” Municipal Hall, masterfully set up with carefully chosen photographic material depicting the history of the Italian Air Force's special forces, and in particular the ADRA – Arditi Distruttori della Regia Aeronautica – the parachute unit established in July 1942 by the Royal Air Force, and the current 17th Raider Wing. As regards the setup of the photographic section relating to the Air Force raiders, this was made possible thanks to the contribution provided by the 17th Wing. The proceedings were opened by Dr Lazzeri (former Air Force medical lieutenant) who, after a welcome greeting, explained the meaning of the initiative he himself promoted. Dr Lazzeri is the son of the former ADRA member Dante Lazzeri, from whom he inherited historical knowledge resulting from the accounts of the experiences gained by his elderly parent, who passed away in 2015, as well as a good deal of the precious photographic material made available for the creation of the exhibition. All attendees underlined the historical importance of an initiative of this type, aimed at the spread of aeronautical culture and the deep bond of the “Garfagnini”towards their compatriots, who made their contribution in the service of the Armed Forces of our Nation, in both the First and Second World Wars.
Brigadier General Raider Riccardo Rinaldi, the highest military authority present at the event, after a welcoming address, gave an interesting speech on the origins of military parachuting, dating back to the so-called pioneers of the discipline, with a dutiful reference to the acrobatic phase represented, until a few years ago, by the Air Force “Blue Falcons” display team. The presentation by Brig. Gen. Rinaldi was particularly well received by the guests and featured the projection of some interesting archival footage expertly commented on and explained by himself.
To close the event, as the final speaker, was the Officer representing the 17th Raider Wing, who illustrated the main peculiarities of the unit and the relative opportunities made available by the Armed Force, through the recruitment competition procedures that, periodically, the Italian Air Force disseminates through its institutional channels to young people eager to become part of such a prestigious Wing.
