Wednesday 12 July, at the multi-purpose hall of the 3rd Air Force Engineering Unit Bari-Palese, a seminar was held titled “Uniformed professionals with A.I.D.I.A.”, in the presence of Brigadier General Romeo Paternò, Deputy Commander of Air Force Schools Command / 3rd Air Region, and Colonel Antonio Giura, Commander of the 3rd Air Force Engineering Department.
Organised by’Italian Association of Women Engineers and Architects (A.I.D.I.A.) – Bari Section, with the patronage of the’Order of Engineers and the Order of Architects, Planners, Landscapers and Conservationists of the Province of Bari, The programme was rich in contributions from female Engineers and Architects belonging to the Italian Army, the Navy, the Air Force, as well as the National Fire Corps. Numerous engineers and architects were present, having joined the event as part of the continuous training required by the professional bodies.
The aim of the seminar was to promote and raise awareness of the training and expertise of women serving in the Armed Forces and State Corps, foster cultural and professional exchanges between colleagues, and value the thinking and work of women in the fields of architecture and engineering, with the full understanding that promoting the female profession It is one of the aspects that can trigger cultural, civil and social change, not only towards equal opportunities, but for economic and sustainable development promoted at both European and national level.
In his opening remarks, Brigadier General Romeo Paternò welcomed the numerous participants, dwelling on the opportunity the conference provided to reflect on fundamental themes, such as the significant and decisive contribution that female personnel have been making to the Armed Forces for over twenty years, demonstrating excellent professionalism in service to the country, with daily sacrifice and undisputed commitment in the technical field.
Subsequently, Colonel Antonio Giura highlighted how precisely in 2023 the celebrations of 100 years of the constitution, both of the Air Force, of the Professional Orders of Engineers and Architects, and of the Corps of Aeronautical Engineers, a convergence of significant commemorations that has further enhanced the event.
Following this, after the speeches by Ing. Carmen Cazzolla, Vice President of A.I.D.I.A. – Bari Section, Ing. Antonella Stoppelli, Councillor of the Order of Engineers of Bari, and Arch. Porzia Pietrantonio, Vice President of the Order of Architects, Landscape Architects, Planners and Conservators of the Province of Bari, each of the guests, representing their respective Armed Force and Fire Brigade Corps, gave an informative briefing on various topics, in order to better highlight the presence of women engineers and architects in uniform.
In order of presentation, Lieutenant Colonel Ing. Sabina Conte from the 15th Italian Army Infrastructure Department, Lieutenant Commander Ing. Maria Vincenza Visci from the Naval Engineering Directorate Taranto – Brindisi Office, and Lieutenant Ing. Maria Convertini from the 3rd Air Force Engineering Department, the Senior Manager Architect Rosa D’Eliseo, Commander of the Bari Fire Brigade, and the First Manager Engineer Roberta Lala, Manager of the Prevention and Technical Safety Office of the Directorate of the Fire Brigade of the Puglia Region.
The day concluded with the symbolic exchange of crests and the logo of the centenary of the Italian Air Force, hand-forged in the workshops of the 16th Field Engineer Group, but not before the greetings from Ing. Francesca Caldarola, President of the A.I.D.I.A. Bari Section, who expressed words of appreciation for all the speakers, for the significant technical content of their individual presentations.
The 3rd Air Force Engineers Department, awarded with honours, such as Bronze Medal for Aeronautical Merit e “ICARO 2018” Medal of Merit”, It finalises studies, designs, tenders and works execution necessary to ensure the availability and efficiency of infrastructures used by the Air Force and NATO. Through the employed 16th Field Engineer Group and the Detached Technical Services for Infrastructures, it oversees the construction and extraordinary maintenance of all airport infrastructures and technological systems, both through contractors and with its own personnel and equipment, in support of the flight units of the Air Force in Southern Italy, including Sicily. Furthermore, in a joint forces context, it contributes, with its own personnel and equipment, to the establishment of mobile operational infrastructure support components, both nationally and abroad, in compliance with commitments arising from international agreements, also providing support to Civil Protection in the event of natural disasters, where required.
