The phase-out ceremony took place at the military airport of Grazzanise (CE), home of the 9th Wing “Francesco Baracca”.”
The event was held today, Thursday 22 February, at the Grazzanise (CE) military airport, home of the 9th Wing “Francesco Baracca”, the “Phase-out” ceremony of the HH-212A helicopter, which after over 40 years on duties during numerous missions abroad and at home, ending his operational life in the Air Force.
Entered into service in the early 1980s, the’The iconic helicopter has today concluded its operational life after flying for over 180,000 hours and contributing to the rescue of hundreds of people in life-threatening situations..
The ceremony was presided over by Chief of the Air Staff, Air Force General Luca Goretti, and saw the participation of Commander of the Air Squad General of A.S. Alberto Biavati, of the Commander of the 1st Special Operations Air Brigade, Brigadier General Riccardo Rinaldi. Commander of the 9th Wing, Colonel Salvatore Florio, and local civil, military and religious authorities, in addition to the Wing's personnel and the flight crews and specialist personnel who have operated this iconic military helicopter over the years.
Over these four decades, the helicopter has played a leading role, alongside the Italian Air Force crews, in numerous operational missions beyond national borders (Afghanistan) and domestically, participating in search and rescue missions during particular events that have affected the civilian population, such as the floods in Piedmont, those in Sarno and in Friuli, or following the earthquake that struck the Island of Ischia.
It Commander of the 9th Wing, Colonel Salvatore Florio, in his speech, recalled the operational years of the 212th: “…years in which the AM’s configuration has guaranteed excellent reliability and allowed the crews that have succeeded each other over the different generations to operate in all circumstances with promptness, effectiveness, and maximum safety.. ”During his speech he wanted to”To dedicate a thought to colleagues and friends who, in peace and in war, have sacrificed their lives in the exercise of our profession, in service, in respect of the oath sworn.”. “In English (UK): The results achieved were attained because they were built upon solid foundations and the meticulousness, in unison, of the daily actions of its crews.. Colonel Florio then concluded.”This is perhaps the best wish we can offer to those who will continue, seamlessly, this difficult and silent work. Only by keeping in mind what has been done to get this far, while always remaining focused on the next objectives, can we reach future goals and overcome the challenges our Armed Force will ask us to face..”
It General Goretti, during his speech, wanted to highlight the importance of this particular event: “Today we proudly bid farewell to a machine that has made aeronautical history, but above all, to the personnel who made this helicopter exceptional..Referring then to all the crews and personnel who operated on this aircraft, he highlighted: ”When there is a flood, an emergency, when someone needs to be rescued, even in bad weather, you are always there unconditionally, even risking your own lives, because you are going to save someone else's life. ”And this“ he then continued “As an Armed Force, we do it because we are convinced that, when there is a need to save a colleague or fellow citizen, we feel it intimately as our duty and not because we are obliged by law..The SMA Chief then concluded by saying: ”The machines change, the people change, but the spirit remains: that winning spirit that distinguishes the Air Force and was demonstrated during the Centenary. Passion, strength, teamwork. Be proud of it..”
The’HH-212A It is a medium-sized helicopter with a two-bladed rotor powered by two Pratt & Whitney PT6T turbines, each producing 1,342 kW. It is substantially derived from the Model 205, from which it differs due to its elongated fuselage. The Italian Air Force purchased the first three aircraft in 1979 for the Decimomannu (Cagliari) firing range, where they were assigned to the 670th Squadron of the Air Armament Standardisation and Experimentation Department. In 1984, 32 aircraft were ordered, intended for the new rescue sections of the liaison squadrons: 603rd (Villafranca), 604th (Grosseto), 609th (Grazzanise), 632nd (Brindisi), 651st (Istrana), 653rd (Linate), and 660th (Amendola). Following the ICO (Operational Capability Implementation) programme, in 2006, the asset operated in Afghanistan with the 21st “Tiger” Group of the 9th Wing, carrying out reconnaissance, personnel transport, medical transport, urgent medical evacuation, and territorial control duties, accumulating over 2,000 flight hours in Afghanistan across more than 1,800 missions.
The “Phase-out” ceremony for the historic HH-212A helicopter, as well as having a commemorative connotation, also represents a symbolic handover between the HH-212A and the new HH-101A, which will continue to provide support for special operations. New aircraft with new technologies for an Air Force that is always ready to operate in modern operational scenarios to defend the country, national interests and to protect the community.
