On the occasion of International Women's Day, the Italian Air Force’s ceremonial guard was composed exclusively of female personnel. Yesterday, 8th March, for the ceremonial guard duty at the Quirinal Palace, the Italian Air Force chose to honour International Women's Day by deploying only female personnel. The duty at the Quirinal is just one example of the many professional skills and capabilities deployed daily by the female component of the Armed Force. There are approximately 1,600 women – including Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, and Volunteers – who have joined the Air Force since 2000, the year the Italian Armed Forces recruited the first women, known as "le donne con le stellette" (women with the stars). Beyond the numbers, the importance of the female contribution to the defence and security of the country and the international community is confirmed by the type and number of tasks that military women undertake daily with commitment, dedication, and professionalism, in all sectors, whether operational, logistical, or administrative.
Watch the video Female Guard of Honour
