At the ceremony, held in the presence of the Commander of the 46th Air Brigade of Pisa, Air Brigadier General Aurelio Colagrande, a delegation of personnel assigned to the Group participated
In a brief speech, the outgoing Commander wished to emphasise the great intensity of the past year at the helm of the “Wolves” of the 98th, characterised by the growing commitments of the C-27J, the aircraft operated by the Squadron in Operational Theatres, with particular reference to the Afghan one, and the pride of having had the opportunity to lead a Unit with strong values and great traditions.
Upon taking up his new role, the incoming Commander thanked General Colagrande for the trust placed in him and his predecessor, expressing a particular emotion at the opportunity given to him to command the Group in which he began and conducted his operational life as a pilot.
The 98th Squadron has been operating since 2007 with the new C-27J Spartan twin-engine transport aircraft, which is a new version of the G.222 with upgraded engines and state-of-the-art avionics, enabling crews to undertake an increasingly tactical role, including in the ISAF mission in Afghanistan. Among the 98th Squadron's recent commitments at national level, mention must be made of its intervention during the earthquake in Abruzzo (2009) and the subsequent support provided during the G8 summit in L'Aquila.
The 46th Air Brigade ensures strategic and tactical air transport for missions within and outside national borders, emergency medical transport, aeromedical evacuation, the transport of materials, personnel and vehicles worldwide, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year thanks to the personnel and aircraft of the three Flight Groups: the 2nd, the 50th and indeed the 98th.
