The ceremony was held on Thursday, July 4, at the “Urbano Mancini” military airport in Cervia (RA). change of command of the 15th Air Wing of the Air Force. The Colonel Antonio Viola he took over from Colonel Andrea Giuseppe Savina as the new Commander of the Department.
The ceremony, presided over by Air Division General Enrico Degni, Commander of the Mobility and Support Forces (CFMS), It saw the participation of numerous civil, military and religious authorities, combatant and arms associations, as well as all the personnel of the Department.
The event began with the entry of the War Flag of the 15th Squadron, adorned with its decorations, including the Silver Medal for Aeronautical Merit, Awarded in 2021 for operational commitment during the pandemic and Gold Medal for Aviation Value, Awarded in 2024 for interventions during the 2023 flood in Emilia-Romagna.
In his farewell speech, the Colonel Savina He thanked the guests and all the personnel of the 15th Wing, emphasizing the importance of the Armed Forces“ bond with the territory and paying tribute to the fallen of the Wing, in particular the Angels of the S.A.R. and their families. He highlighted the importance of the values of sacrifice and loyalty that distinguish the 15th Wing, thanking its closest collaborators and all the personnel, emphasizing:“How, thanks to collective commitment, the 15th Squadron has distinguished itself in fulfilling its institutional duties, as in the flood that struck Emilia-Romagna in 2023 and the activity of slow movers interception during the recently concluded G7 summit, as well as how it was an integral part during the celebrations of the Centenary of the Armed Forces, sharing at every opportunity the spirit of sacrifice and altruism that characterize the personnel of the Squadron..”
He concluded by reminding all the staff that “Each one is a fundamental player in achieving the main task of the Department: the safeguarding of human life..”
After the handover, the Colonel Viola He expressed his gratitude to the guests and paid tribute to the 15th War Flag, emphasizing how strong the emotion and pride were in taking command of the unit to which he was assigned as a young officer.
He also highlighted “no matter how challenging the future that awaits us may be, it will certainly be faced with teamwork, based on a sense of duty and a strong attachment to the Department by all the military personnel who belong to it, without neglecting the legitimate expectations of the personnel who constitute the true heritage of the Wing.”
He concluded by recalling that “The mission of the 15th Squadron, namely saving lives and helping people in difficulty, is the true essence of the Department; a difficult and often risky challenge that the men and women of the Squadron, thanks to their constant commitment and the highest level of professionalism, have always faced with passion and dedication..”
It General Degni, In highlighting the numerous and important achievements achieved by the 15th Squadron, he thanked Colonel Savina for the commitment shown during his tenure, complimenting him on the work carried out and the careful balance achieved between the mission and the available resources, successfully completing all the planned objectives.
He therefore pointed out that “The silent and constant work of the Stormo staff, who, through their constant dedication to serving their men and women, ensured their valuable contribution to the Defense and also to the civil community, demonstrating extraordinary operational capabilities, with particular reference to the emergency situation last year that affected the local population and the same Airport.”
The incoming Commander was wished a serene and fruitful work, with the guarantee of providing him with the utmost support: “I am certain that you will use every energy to continue to elevate and guide the solid legacy that your predecessor left you for the achievement of increasingly prestigious goals.”
It 15th Wing has the task of ensuring the Search and Rescue service (Search and Rescue – S.A.R.) for the recovery of military aircraft crews in the event of incidents, through autonomous or joint operations with other ground, air or naval assets. It participates in rescue operations to safeguard human life and the civilian population, in the event of natural disasters or disasters, in the Anti-Forest Fire Operations (AIB) collaborating with the Civil Protection and other state organizations. It integrates the National Air Defense System through operations to counter the threat posed by low- and very low-performance aircraft (Slow Movers Interception – S.M.I.) and to support the security of sensitive areas and targets during major public events. It provides training and qualification for pilots and flight crews assigned to flight units with rescue tasks, as well as basic and advanced training in survival in maritime and mountainous environments. The 15th Air Wing is composed of the 83rd S.A.R. Group and the 81st Training and Equipment Center (C.A.E.) at the same base in Cervia. In order to guarantee Search and Rescue operations throughout the national territory, the Wing also has the 80th S.A.R. Center (Decimomannu), the 82nd S.A.R. Center (Trapani), the 84th S.A.R. Center (Gioia del Colle) and the 85th S.A.R. Center (Pratica di Mare) under its command. The 15th Air Wing, equipped with HH-139 helicopters in A and B versions, operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, through its subordinate S.A.R. Centers.
From its establishment to the present day, the crews of 15th Squadron has rescued more than 7800 people in life-threatening danger.
