Following his meeting with the Chief of the Air Staff, General Bydèn visited the Experimental Flight Centre and the 14th Wing at Pratica di Mare. On his arrival, Gen. Bydén was received by the Chief of the Air Force General Staff, Air Chief Marshal Giuseppe Bernardis, with whom he held a private meeting that concluded with the signing of the Guest Book and the presentation of the Air Force Crest. The delegation subsequently attended an informative briefing on the Armed Forces, focusing on the structure, operational capabilities and the current and future role of the Italian Air Force within the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and the wider international context. The programme continued in the afternoon, with the delegation travelling to Pratica di Mare military airport (Rome) for a fact-finding visit to the Experimental Flight Centre (C.S.V.) and the 14th Wing. Following a welcome address by the Commander of the C.S.V., Air Division General Mirco Zuliani, the guests proceeded to the attached Experimental Flight Unit (R.S.V.) to attend an informative briefing on the tasks, activities and aircraft operated by the Unit – a centre of excellence in the field of experimentation and testing of vehicles, equipment, software and materials relating to the Armed Forces’ flight operations. The visit then focused on the C.S.V.’s Department of Aviation and Space Medicine (RMAS), whose work is directed both towards the education and training of flight personnel and towards research in the field of aviation and space medicine. The busy day continued at the 14th Wing, where the delegation was welcomed by Colonel Andrea Viperini. Following a briefing on the Wing’s tasks, Colonel Viperini accompanied the guests on board one of the new KC-767A tanker/transport aircraft in the Wing’s fleet, explaining how they have been deployed since their recent entry into service, both in operational contexts involving the projection of air power and in response to humanitarian emergencies, in support of national and international operations. The visit concluded with the traditional exchange of crests and an entry in the Wing’s Roll of Honour.
