The ceremony took place in the presence of the Minister of Defence, Giampaolo Di Paola. The event was attended by the Minister of Defence, Giampaolo Di Paola, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Biagio Abrate, and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Air Squad General Giuseppe Bernardis.
During his speech, the Minister of Defence, in reminding the young officer cadets of the importance of the oath taken a few moments before, emphasised the specific nature of the military “profession”.“Today you begin a journey of life within the State – said the Ministroma, adding – [...] you are not public servants like the others, because you do not do a job, you carry out a mission“Regarding the Defence Instrument, announcing the presentation of a reform during a Cabinet meeting in the coming days, the Minister highlighted the dual challenge facing the Armed Forces as a whole: ” […] gguaranteeing the country's security but with reduced resources compared to the past […] and therefore to be used in a better way. The Chief of Defence Staff expressed “full gratitude to all the staff of the Academy who, at every level of responsibility and task, contribute to its smooth running”Addressing them, General Abrate stated: “It is you commanders, instructors, and teachers who have the task and the privilege of instilling in these trainees not only the necessary initial military and professional preparation, but also that important baggage of values and motivation that will enable them to operate well in the service of the country”. The Chief of Staff of the Italian Air Force welcomed the young student officers to the great Air Force family“which are the future protagonists of an operational reality made up of technologically advanced assets, adequate infrastructure and, above all, highly trained personnel, which together form the pillars on which the Italian Air Force builds the foundations to carry out its institutional duties. With today's swearing-in ceremony –General Bernardis has finished – come into an inheritance […]which ensures the Air Force and the country that qualitative growth necessary to continue along the path of merit, the spirit of service, discipline, and ethics in harmony with the culture of being, at the expense of ephemeral appearance. In his speech, Air Brigadier General Umberto Baldi, Commander of the Aeronautical Academy, praising the young officers taking the oath, reiterated the importance of the solemn oath taken “that will see them involved as military personnel always ready for sacrifice, the conscious acceptance of risk and the courageous awareness of their own professionalism“The highlights of the ceremony, which ended with a parade of all the Academy's year groups, were punctuated by a flypast by the National Aerobatic Team. Canale21 of 04/04/2012 at 14.00
