On June 12, in the training area of the 16th Squadron, the commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the establishment of the Department took place in Martina Franca (TA).
The defendants gathered at the training area of the 16th Stormtrooper Wing“Protection of the Forces”(P. F.) located in Contrada Trasconi. The brief commemoration began with the reading of the Decree of Constitution of the 16th Squadron “Protection of the Forces”Subsequently, the Commander of the 16th Air Wing, Colonel Marradi, took the floor, thanking General of the Air Division Roberto Comelli, Commander of the 1st Air Brigade Special Operations of Rome – 1st B.A.O.S. (from which the 16th Air Wing depends), the companies that actively collaborated in the success of the event, and greeting the authorities present. The Commander then thanked the numerous families present: “Your presence here is so overwhelming and gratifying to me, and it shows a strong attachment to our Department. It is you…” he said, continuing the Commander of the 16th Air Wing “…the most important motivational aspect for these men who are engaged on a daily basis, from its principal component – the Air Riflemen – to the entire logistical aspect of the Department. In fact, these men are entrusted with a wide variety of tasks, from ensuring the protection of military personnel at the Herat airport in Afghanistan to humanitarian assistance, which has been demonstrated by preparing, transporting and assembling the tents for women, children and the less fortunate among us who were relocated to the Municipality of Martina Franca (TA) just last Tuesday.””. The commemorative words of the Commander of the 16th Air Wing were followed by the intervention of Air Division General Roberto Comelli, who, after welcoming all the participants on behalf of himself and the Commander of the Air Force, General Lodovisi, concluded: “…this 10th anniversary of the reconstitution of the 16th Air Force of the Italian Air Force is undoubtedly the most appropriate occasion to reaffirm forcefully how grateful the Air Force is for everything you have been able to give it during your period of service…” General Comelli’s attention then shifted to the farsightedness of intent with which the Armed Forces acted in providing themselves with a tool that fully fits their needs. “…requirements imposed by the changed international context”He then concluded by saluting all the staff who, at every level, contributed to making this meeting possible. One of the most emotional moments of the commemoration was the distribution of the replica of His Holiness Pope Francis’s cross and the subsequent blessing of all the families of the 16th Wing staff. During the ceremony, several demonstration events were held, curated by the local Training Group. Survive to Operate Force Protection (S.T.O./F.P.). The helicopter activity concluded the commemoration; the Air Fucilieri simulated the release of a hostage and its boarding on the HH3F helicopter of the 85th SAR Group of Pratica di Mare; they then demonstrated their operational capabilities by parachuting from the 85th SAR aircraft while flying with the Fast Rope technique, that is, with the help of a rope.
A resounding applause from the many family members who had gathered at the end of the event effectively sealed the closure of this sober day.
