Sigonella: Change of the War Flag of the 41st Anti-Submarine Squadron

Presided over by Colonel Pilot Howard Lee Rivera, Commander of the 41st Anti-Submarine Squadron and of the Sigonella Airport, the event was attended by Sicilian religious, civil and military authorities, including the Prefect of Catania, Ms. Maria Carmela Librizzi, the Military Commander of the Army in Sicily, General of Division Maurizio Angelo Scardino, the Governors of the Cities of Catania, Lentini (SR) and Motta Sant’Anastasia (CT), and the Guard of the Combatant and Armed Associations of the Territory. To provide a backdrop for the solemnity of the event, the honor guard and personnel of the 41st Squadron and the other AM units of the Sicilian Airport were present.

The culmination of the ceremony was when Colonel Rivera removed the “Arrow” and the “Decorations” from the “old” flag pole, with the “Tricolour” becoming worn out in service to the Homeland, and applied them to the one with the “new Tricolour Flag” that, after the blessing of the Vicar General of Catania, Monsignor Salvatore Genchi, represents the new War Flag of the 41st Anti-Submarine Squadron, to be defended to the utmost sacrifice, a symbol of the honor of the Department, its traditions, its history, and the memory of its Fallen.

For many participants, it was exciting to relive the memories and places where they worked for many years safeguarding the Nation under the Flag of the 41st Anti-Submarine Squadron. Particular appreciation was given to the video that retraced the history of the War Flag from 1939 to the present day, as well as to the closing words of Col. Rivera’s speech: “…the aircraft, the means, the men, the mission and the tasks to be carried out will change for the defense of the peace of our country, but those values and those ideals with which we, the people of the 41st Stormtrooper Wing and Sigonella, will continue to write the pages of the history of our glorious War Flag will remain unchanged.”.

The War Flag accompanies the military branch throughout its entire operational life, both in times of peace and war, and the highest military honors should be rendered to it.

The War Flag was handed over to the 41st Wing following its formation on July 1, 1939 in Reggio Emilia, in the Ground Bombardment (BT) specialty. After the 41st Wing was relocated to a “quadrant” position following the 1943 Armistice, the War Flag was returned on October 6, 1966 with the reconstitution of the 41st Wing on October 1, 1965, in the “Anti-Bombs” specialty. The return took place in harmony with the new institutional form: the “Republican” flag devoid of the “Sabaud Shield”, but decorated with the Medals awarded to the original flag of the disbanded 41st Wing.

The War Flag is kept at Sigonella, within the Office of the Commander of the 41st Anti-Submarine Squadron, while the “old” Flag of 1966, as the customary phrase goes, “…it will be religiously preserved along with the other trophies of the 41st Wing”. The original Drappo, dating from 1939 to 1943, is currently kept in the Sacrario delle Bandiere at the Vittoriano in Rome.

The War Flag of the 41st Anti-Submarine Squadron is among the most decorated in the Air Force. Since 1939 to the present day, it has been awarded two Silver Medals of Military Valor and one Silver Medal of Civil Merit, with the following reasons:

”   By the valor and sacrifice of the crews, by the perfection and power of the means, he affirmed, in relentless actions against British naval bases and forces, the air dominance of the Central Mediterranean, cooperating with its vigilant, feared, and dazzling presence to ensure the freedom of that sea. A weapon of war, dedicated to all the ardour, he faced the risk as a sublime test of dedication to duty, overcoming every obstacle in the anxiety of victory, always and everywhere an example of what the burning flame of the Homeland’s Love can bring about in men and ranks.”.

Sky of the Central Mediterranean, June 11 to September 30, 1940

 “In an epic operational cycle, relying on faith in every sacrifice to fulfill their duty, they brought the offense of their aircraft to the distant and nearby airports and fortifications of the enemy.  In the days of the great battle of Marmarica, launched to stem the offensive of overwhelming mechanized forces of the enemy, he found in the spirit of his valiant troops new will and tenacity to always strike the attackers at every moment, fighting with supreme firmness against the enemy’s attack and descending with unparalleled audacity to fire a barrage of bullets at the enemy.“.

Sky of Marmarica and the Mediterranean, December 13, 1940 to January 4, 1941

“The 41st Anti-Ship Squadron operates in the waters of the Mediterranean, ensuring the safety of commercial routes and also, in addition to its institutional functions, sometimes in extremely adverse weather and environmental conditions, carrying out search and rescue operations at sea. The constant commitment shown by the crews, with a high spirit of sacrifice and remarkable professionalism, has enabled the location of numerous refugees and shipwrecked persons, thus ensuring the rescue of many lives, contributing to strengthening trust in the institutions.”.

The skies of the Mediterranean, from 1990 to 2005

The 41st Antisom Squadron of Sigonella, hierarchically subordinate to the Office of the Inspector of the Navy of Rome, is equipped with P-72A aircraft with which it ensures maritime surveillance, the combating of illicit traffic and international terrorism, the safeguarding of human life at sea over long distances and the protection of the main maritime traffic routes in the southern quadrants of the Mediterranean. The crews of the P-72A are composed of officer pilots and junior officers operating on board who belong to the Air Force and the Navy. The typical feature has been a well-proven and efficient example of inter-service synergy and cooperation since 1965, which stands well ahead of the strong inter-service development of the military instrument characteristic of recent years.