The 72nd Wing of the Italian Air Force hosted the “Eagle” course, as part of the “Experience the Armed Forces – A Military Career for Three Weeks” project. From the very first day, the participants engaged in base activities, notably observing the flying operations carried out by the 208th Flying Group, which is currently training students from the Port Authority and the Financial Guard, and familiarising themselves with the TH-500B helicopters used by the Wing in the flying line hangar. During their visit to the Operational Technical Systems Group (STO), which oversees the Airspace Control Section and the Meteorology Section, the young people then witnessed air traffic management operations and participated in the observation, forecasting, and drafting of meteorological bulletins. However, the most engaging activity for the aspiring military personnel was centred on local Force protection techniques: patrolling, point defence, and anti-sabotage techniques, which also involved personnel from the 16th “Force Protection” Wing from Martina Franca. This was further enhanced by a mountain orienteering exercise, during which the participants were met by a TH-500B helicopter from the Wing. Complementing the purely military activities, cultural visits were made to the Abbey of Montecassino, the Historiale, and the Italian Air Force Museum at Vigna di Valle. Finally, on Wednesday 2nd November, to mark the arrival of the “Train of the Unknown Soldier” at Rome's Termini Station, the participants attended a re-enactment ceremony of the Unknown Soldier's journey, presided over by the President of the Republic, Giorgio Napolitano, and the Minister of Defence, the Honourable Ignazio La Russa. The 72nd Wing, which reports to the Schools Command/3rd Air Region in Bari, is the Italian Air Force unit responsible for training helicopter pilots for all the Armed Forces and State Armed Corps.
