Almost 800,000 visitors took part in the Air Force Experience at Piazza del Popolo in Rome and in the ’Open Days“ organized throughout Italy at the various bases of the Armed Forces.
Great public success for the’Air Force Experience in Piazza del Popolo, in Rome, where about 415,000 people were recorded and great participation was observed Open Day, Organized at all the bases and airports of the Air Force, which on March 28 welcomed more than 360,000 people, curious and enthusiastic to be able to see up close and touch with their own hands the operational and non-operational realities of the Armed Forces.
In particular, the’Air Force Experience, The exhibition space set up in Piazza del Popolo, from Friday 24 to Wednesday 29 March He transformed one of the most evocative places in Rome into a veritable aeronautical village. The words of Air Force Chief of Staff General Luca Goretti during the solemn ceremony on March 28 on the Pincio Terrace express the meaning of choosing to celebrate the first 100 years of the Armed Forces with this type of event: “We stand directly on Piazza del Popolo, one of the most famous and popular squares in Rome, to emphasize the close bond that unites us to the entire Italian, European and global population. This strengthens our vocation to be “with the people, among the people, for the people”. We are at the service of the citizens and the entire Italian people.”
Citizens of all ages and from all over Italy, but also foreign tourists, were able to see it in Piazza del Popolo.“a small example of what we are capable of doing”, as stated by Gen. S.A. Luca Goretti on the occasion of the inauguration of the’Air Force Experience, Continuing: “The village is a way to thank the city of Rome, giving enthusiasts, tourists and the curious the chance to understand the symbiosis between institutions, and this is the best calling card we want to offer, even to young people who may one day wish to join the Italian Air Force.”.
There were so many people, of all ages, who patiently waited in line to get on the aircraft on display: the highly advanced fifth-generation fighter F-35, the’Eurofighter which monitors the Italian and allied skies, the MB-339A with the Tricolour Arrows livery, the Tornado fighter jet and the HH-139, a versatile helicopter used for search and rescue. Not only that: the waiting times did not discourage the numerous visitors, who also took the opportunity to try out the Amusing simulators of the National Acrobatics Patrol and the fighter Eurofighter; to immerse oneself within the three Dome Futuristic for an interactive journey, from the fascinating heroic and spectacular origins of the Blue Army to a futuristic future made of artificial intelligence, robotics, multi-domain operations, suborbital flights, space ventures, and underwater diving. cyberspace.
The various exhibits have also attracted great interest. stand Informative, They are available to provide all the information on how to join the Air Force and wear the uniform of the Blue Army, but also to better understand its history and commitment to serving the country, through, for example, the Aeronautica magazine.
The emotions were intense also thanks to the numerous meetings with well-known figures and testimonial of the Armed Forces, including the pilots of the Frecce Tricolori and the athletes from the Military Aeronautics Sports Center, As well as the projections, musical and sporting performances: a 100th anniversary celebrated in all its dimensions to involve everyone and allow citizens to get to know the Italian Air Force better. The performance by the Italian Air Force Band On the Trinità dei Monti Steps, on Saturday afternoons, in front of Piazza di Spagna, crowded with people applauding and chanting during the performance of songs like “Roma nun fa la stupida stasera” by Lando Fiorini, they were moved to tears.
Not just Rome: in fact, from north to south, with the events Open Day, the citizens of almost all the Italian regions On March 28th they were able to walk through the gates and doors of the Air Force bases and airports. The personnel of the Armed Forces were proud to present themselves and their working environment, the organization, the equipment, the facilities and structures at their disposal, and to tell, from various perspectives, the daily commitment to the defense of the country: Stormi but also Training Institutes, Outposts and more. Visitors were able to witness the Solemn Flag-raising ceremony, the take-off and flyovers of aircraft, practical demonstrations as well as emergency medical helicopter services, musical performances and sporting events. And then, exhibition areas of historical interest, stand Dedicated to the information and dissemination of aeronautical culture and static displays of aircraft, equipment and equipment. The response received with the enthusiasm of hundreds of thousands of visitors, interested and grateful, represented for the men and women in blue the embrace of Italy, a kind of “Tricolour Embrace” reciprocated, for the 100th anniversary of the Air Force.
Also AIRC She was present in Rome, from March 24 to 29, in Piazza del Popolo within the “Air Force Experience” village, to inform and raise public awareness about the importance of research and the value of prevention. Furthermore, on Tuesday, March 28, on the anniversary day, several AIRC Regional Committees were protagonists in numerous Open Days within the main Air Force bases throughout the national territory. All the initiatives, events, and major events of the Armed Forces, as well as part of the proceeds from the sales of the 2023 Calendar and the voluntary donations of personnel and private individuals, will support the solidarity initiative “A gift from heaven for AIRC“a foundation committed to supporting the Cancer research in Italy for over 50 years. The funds raised will be used to purchase highly technological and state-of-the-art equipment for IFOM, AIRC Molecular Oncology Institute. A very important opportunity for “Flying the research”And to testify, once again, with concrete and tangible actions, how close the Air Force is to the community.
As part of the organizational activities concerning the Centenary celebrations, the following economic operators, as financial, technical and partner sponsors, are publicly thanked for their contribution to the realization of the event: Leonardo S.p.A., Avio Aero S.r.l., Lockheed Martin Corporation, Intesa San Paolo S.p.A., Boeing Italia S.r.l., Fabbrica d’Armi Pietro Beretta S.p.A., Northrop Grumman Italia S.p.A., Noleggiare S.r.l., Trenitalia S.p.A. (with the brand “FRECCIAROSSA Treno Ufficiale”), Italia Trasporto Aereo S.p.A. (ITA), MBDA Italia S.p.A., Difesa Servizi S.p.A.
