The solemn ceremony took place at the Istrana military airport in the presence of serving and retired personnel belonging to the Wing, a testament to generational continuity and the strong bond that exists. The ceremony was attended by Colonel Pilot Enrico Garettini, Commander of the 51st Wing, numerous guests, and delegations from Veterans' Associations and Air Force corps, whose presence underscores the generational continuity and the existing bond between serving and retired military personnel. On this occasion, the Commander of the 51st Wing presented some commendations to military and civilian personnel who had particularly distinguished themselves in their roles and in operations beyond national borders. Colonel Garettini, during his speech, highlighted the excellent commitment of the Unit's personnel and emphasised the Wing's continuous international commitments, both during the ISAF operation in Afghanistan and in Unified Protector for the resolution of the Libyan crisis. Founded on 1st October 1939 at the Ciampino Sud airport site, one month after the start of the Second World War, the 51st Wing was definitively located at the Istrana (TV) airport site in 1954, having previously been based in Aviano (PN). The inauguration ceremony took place on 19th June 1954 in the presence of the President of the Republic, Luigi Einaudi. The War Flag of the 51st Wing is decorated with a Gold and a Silver Medal of Military Valour for the glorious actions conducted during the Second World War.
