The training institute in Caserta hosted a delegation of foreign military attachés accredited in Italy. The delegation, accompanied by Air Force Brigadier General Roberto Cattaneo, Deputy Head of the 2nd Intelligence and Security Department of the Defence Staff, and by Colonel Vincenzo Lanza, Head of the Military Attachés“ Office, was welcomed by the School’s Commandant, Colonel Paolo Marco Felli. In his welcoming address, Colonel Felli emphasised the importance of fact-finding visits by foreign military attachés, which provide valuable opportunities to raise awareness of the Italian military, and in particular that of the Italian Air Force. The delegation then attended an informative briefing on the mission, activities, tasks and organisation of the Specialist School. This was followed by the traditional exchange of crests between Colonel Felli, the senior military attaché in Italy, General Peter Wanner, and General Cattaneo. The group then toured the Institute’s educational, logistical and training facilities, where the attachés took the opportunity to examine in detail the training activities for Italian Air Force specialists and the various teaching processes relating to the different categories and specialities of personnel. On the sidelines of their day in Caserta, the guests also had the opportunity to admire the monumental buildings of the Vanvitellian Royal Palace and the English Garden, as well as the facilities at San Leucio dedicated to silk production. There was keen interest shown during the guided tour organised for the occasion. The Italian Air Force Specialists” School, which this year marks the 65th anniversary of its establishment in Caserta, provides basic military, cultural and technical-professional training for Specialists (Sergeant Cadets, Sergeants and Enlisted Volunteers on permanent service), non-commissioned personnel of the Armed Forces seeking professional retraining or qualification, and ‘Aircraft Maintenance Technicians’ from other Armed Forces and Police Forces. In addition to its regular activities, the School is currently also involved in the organisational preparations for the 1st National Gathering of Italian Air Force Specialists, to be held in Caserta on 28 and 29 September 2013.
