Once again this year, the event took on a charitable dimension in aid of the Telethon Foundation. On Thursday 26 October, at the Air Force Academy, in the presence of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Enzo VECCIARELLI, and the Commander of the Air Force Schools/3rd Air Region, Air Marshal Umberto BALDI (both Patrons of Rostro II) and Lieutenant Colonel Roberto MASSAROTTO, Patron of the Rostro III Course, the traditional “Mak π 100” took place, which this year featured 71 young Second Lieutenants from the Rostro IV Course. The Second Lieutenants wore their full dress uniform and, together with their families, in the presence of the highest military authorities and representatives of civil institutions, paid tribute to the city of Naples and the Institute that has accompanied them on their journey of personal and military development. The name “Mak π 100” derives from a playful and sarcastic Piedmontese expression, “mac pi sent”, which means “just a hundred days”. It expresses the anxious anticipation of the end of the academic term before the “break-up” of the course, with the subsequent assignment of pilots to advanced flight schools and the posting of Second Lieutenants from the remaining branches and corps to operational units. It is a tradition that has been repeated over the years, symbolising the cohesion that unites the members of each academic course and their bond with the Air Force Academy, which prepares them for operational and unit life.
This year, the event has once again taken on a charitable nature, through a fundraising drive for the TELETHON foundation in support of genetic research, in order to make a contribution and offer concrete hope to those suffering from diseases that are currently incurable. The Air Force Academy is part of the Italian Air Force Schools Command/3rd Air Region. Its Mission is to select, train, and inspire exemplary commanders and professionals, determined to serve our country ‘as a team‘ with excellence and dedication.
