Colonel Andrea Di Pietro, commander of the Department to which the Major Dotto, Franzese, Palminteri and Valentini units belonged, writes in their memory
Today marks the third anniversary of the terrible plane crash that took the lives of our four young boys.
Alessandro and Giuseppe, Mariangela and Paolo Piero
they had perfectly captured the true, especially human, dimension of this Department.
A typical composure, simplicity and punctuality, a professional ethic firmly based on those universal values that the Air Force had already taught them to recognize in life before they arrived here in Ghedi.
This way of living flight and of interpreting every day's work, the four of them knew how to accompany it always with a smile, a smile full of strength and courage.
Young aviators full of the desire to do their duty well, for their 154th Flight Group, for their 6th Wing and for their beloved Air Force; raised together learning from each other, they shared with everyone, even in a joking way, an visceral love for flight that would allow them to always serve our country to the best of their ability. When their own men and women are lost during an operational mission, it is always the tragedy that permeates everything; it is the physical absence that is felt, due to the immense affection that is created within such a special yet at the same time so human environment, which every time gives birth, for all those who know how to live it like we do, to a true second family, the one that remains and that continues today for their loved ones. This world of ours they had always known to interpret in its entirety, and they drew strength and guidance from it to fly together, entrusting their lives to serve others.
With my Department, I address their parents, their relatives, and their dear wife Alessandra, to say thank you... thank you for your heroes, heroes in life, a life shared even with us. The most beautiful part of them will always accompany us in our flights. I thank my men and women of the 6th Air Wing.
With them, after four endless days of searching and hope, we all resumed flying and continued to work with the strength and passion of always, with our backs straight and without hesitation, moving forward with respect and full dedication to our mission, in front of our flag and the oath sworn, still clear and vivid in our deepest sorrow for the immeasurable loss. Finally, I thank our wonderful Air Force, all the institutions and the local citizens of Brescia and Ascoli, who have since been working tirelessly with an incredible national synergy, supporting us with an incredible national synergy, also supporting us with a closeness and attachment that is certainly unique in this great country.
