Numerous new features were presented in the traditional setting of the maintenance hangar in view of the Centenary of the Air Force.
Friday, 20 January, at the historic hangar of Frecce Tricolori, the traditional evening for the presentation of the squad and poster took place National Acrobatic Patrol.
The event, celebrated in the presence of Air Division General Luigi Del Bene, Commander of Combat Forces, For several years now, it has been a traditional fixture for the PAN, a special occasion to renew the established ties with local Authorities, Frecce Tricolori Clubs, friends, and enthusiasts.
Those who also spoke at the evening were Vice President and the President of the Regional Council of the Autonomous Region Friuli Venezia Giulia symbolising the ever-closer Synergy between the Frecce Tricolori and the territory.
During the event, Lieutenant Colonel Stefano Vit, Commander of the 313th Aerobatic Training Group, has revealed the new line-up; they will be the aerial stars performing in the 63rd acrobatic season of the Frecce Tricolori on stage in 2023.
Confirm the key positions of Pony 1 (Training captain) and Pony 6 (leader of the 2nd section), respectively assigned to Major Pierluigi Raspa and at Major Franco Paolo Marocco. However, there's news regarding another key position in the Patrol: the role of Pony 10, solo, was assigned to Major Federico De Cecco, who takes over from Lieutenant Colonel Massimiliano Salvatore. The latter and Major Alfio Mazzoccoli, having completed their tenure with the Frecce Tricolori, will be responsible for the acrobatic training of this new formation, overseeing the complex stages of winter training.
Two new additions to the lineupil Captain Giovanni Morello, an Eurofighter pilot from the 12th Group of the 36th Wing at Gioia del Colle, and the Captain Luca Pozzani, Eurofighter pilot from the 18th Group of the 37th Wing of Trapani Birgi. The two new entrants will fly respectively with the nine and seven.
Then came the moment to reveal the Frecce Tricolori 2023 PosterThis year's chosen photograph depicts MB339PANs performing The “Siberian” manoeuvre”, final farewell gesture, carried out at some appointments during the 2022 season to conclude the PAN performances.
The first copy of the 2023 poster was presented to Col. (Retired) Alberto Moretti, former Commander of the PAN, to symbolise the strong bond with tradition and with those who have been part of the Frecce Tricolori.
As is customary, a moment of the evening was dedicated to the charity initiative launched on the occasion of the Italian Air Force's Centenary.“”A Gift from Heaven" for AIRC – Italian Association for Cancer Research. The proceeds from the fundraising will be donated entirely to’IFOM-Institute of Molecular Oncology Foundation at AIRC for the purchase of state-of-the-art machinery for cancer research. The Association's work was presented on stage by the President of the Regional Committee, Michela Cattaruzza.
The evening was finally an opportunity to review the events that will involve the Frecce Tricolori during the 2023 season, a very important year for the Italian Air Force which will celebrate its centenary of its establishment as an autonomous armed force, which took place on 28 March 1923. The calendar of air shows published at the end of 2022 has been integrated with the events related to institutional flypasts that the National Aerobatic Team will carry out over many locations throughout the national territory, including the islands, covering all Italian regions. An unmissable event: the Centenary air show which will take place at Pratica di Mare Airport on 17 and 18 June next.
This one Training 2023 in full
Pony 0 – Lieutenant Colonel Stefano Vit
Major Pierluigi Raspa
Pony 2 – Captain Alessandro Sommariva
Pony 3 – Captain Leonardo Leo
Pony 4 – Captain Oscar DEL DO’
Pony 5 – Captain Alessio Ghersi
Pony 6 – Major Franco Paolo Marocco
Pony 7 – Captain Luca Pozzani
Pony 8 – Captain Simone Fanfarillo
Pony 9 – Captain Giovanni Morello
Pony 10 – Major Federico De Cecco
Training Supervisor – Lieutenant Colonel Massimiliano Salvatore
Training Supervisor – Major Alfio Mazzoccoli
