27 and 28 March 2023 – Roma
In the splendid setting of the Pincio terrace smell, took place there military ceremony to celebrate the establishment of the Air Force, occurred on 28 March of 1923. The event started at 11:00, in the presence of the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella, and saw the participation of the highest institutional offices, of religious authorities, of the highest authorities of the Ministry of Defense and of the top authorities of the Armed Forces.
They were exceptionally gathered at the ceremony site, per l’occasione, the War Flag of the Air Force and the War and Institute Flags of all Departments of the Armed Forces; in their presence, a representation of Official personnel, Petty Officer and Troop of the Armed Forces rendered honors to the Head of State.
Before the end of the ceremony there was a aerial overflight over the city of Rome by various formations of Air Force aircraft which culminated with the passage of the National Acrobatic Patrol.
Also, from 24 March and until 29, the Air Force has set up in Piazza del Popolo, “Air Force Experience”, a real aeronautical village, full of history and technology, with aircraft on static display, experiential paths, educational and entertainment events, promotional stands, playful simulators, projections, musical and sports performances that will allow citizens of all ages to get to know the Air Force better and experience the 100th birthday of the Arma Azzurra together.
Citizens could access freely and see up close the aircraft on which the operational activity of the Armed Forces is based, such as the highly advanced fifth generation F-35 fighter, the Eurofighter that watches over the skies of Italy and allied countries, the MB-339A with the prestigious Frecce Tricolori livery, the Tornado aircraft and the HH-139 helicopter, versatile helicopter used for search and rescue. It was an unmissable opportunity to speak directly with pilots and specialists who operate on these aircraft on a daily basis at the service of the country and the community.
Visitors could visit three immersive environments (dome) in an interactive path that, starting from historical roots that sink into a past populated by pioneers and heroic deeds and touching a mature and rapidly evolving present, it then shoots towards a futuristic future and still to imagine, made of artificial intelligence, robotics, multi-domain operations, likes suborbitals, space feats, diving into cyberspace and so much more.
They were available to the public playful simulators, including two from the National Aerobatic Team and one from the Eurofighter aircraft, stand information and partners (between these the State Mint that last 21 March issued commemorative coins from 2 and 5 euro for the centenary of AM, Italian post that the 23 March issued philatelic products on the Centenary of the AM, AIRC – Italian Association for Cancer Research – dedicated to the charity initiative “A gift from heaven” whose proceeds will be donated to the Molecular Oncology Foundation Institute for the purchase of latest generation machinery, the Air Force Magazine of the AM General Staff who will present to the public the editorial offer published by the Armed Forces for the Centenary, the Air Force Association which will present to the public all its initiatives connected to the Centenary throughout the national territory).
In the aeronautical village there was also a stand of RTL 102.5, radio partner of the event, for radio activity live from Piazza del Popolo, an Infopoint for general information on the Armed Forces - such as the possibilities and methods of access to the Air Force - and a stand Social where you can interact live on the Air Force social channels.
To complete the aeronautical village a large "Event stage" full of appointments.
The day before the ceremony was preceded by the usual rehearsals which I followed from the terrace of the hotel where I was staying. The display line was a bit far away but the shooting direction was perfect. I was then able to resume the passages of the few participants, including two MB 339 of the Frecce Tricolori who have tried different routes of passage. For the occasion Pony 1, the plane of the Formation Chief Maj. Pierluigi Raspa, wore the colors on the drift 2023 which include the Centenary logo and the individual number moved to the end of the fuselage towards the tail.
I used the afternoon to visit the Air Force Experience village and I found it very crowded. Access to aircraft cockpits required long waits. Unfortunately a strong storm with its hailstorm that literally whitewashed everything, ruined the atmosphere a bit and forced the Air Force personnel to close the canopies of the cars for a long time. But after the bad weather the party started again.
A big applause to the Armed Forces who have been able to set up a truly interesting space, which has attracted the attention of citizens and tourists of all nationalities: a modern and effective way to show your skills and peculiarities.
I then had the privilege of following the military ceremony directly on the Pincio terrace, and document the event up close. It was very exciting to follow the arrival of the civil and military authorities, of the banners of the Lazio Region and the Metropolitan City, followed by the banners of the Combatant Associations, laden with honors and history. The flag of the Municipality of Rome was also present, Gold Medal for Military Valor. Then the entry of the War Flag of the Air Force is truly touching, followed by all those of the Departments of the Arma Azzurra with their departmental charges of honour, of its traditions, of its history and the memory of its fallen.
The Head of State entered last, accompanied by the Minister of Defence, by the Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces and Air Force and by the Military Affairs Advisor to the President of the Republic. Together they reviewed the deployed departments.
Once he had taken his seat on the platform of the authorities, General S.A. took the floor. Luca Goretti, Chief of Staff of the Air Force who in his speech underlined the closeness to the population of the Arma Azzurra with the following words: “today we are in this beautiful setting of the Pincio just to celebrate, a hundred years later, this fundamental moment in the history of the Armed Forces. Regardless of the beauty of the place, the choice of place was not made at random. We face directly onto Piazza del Popolo, one of the most famous and famous squares of Rome, to want to underline the close bond that unites us to the entire Italian population, European and global. This to strengthen our vocation, that of being “with the people, among the people, for people". We are at the service of the citizens and of the entire Italian people”.
At the end of his speech he authorized the overflight of the "Formation 100", a training of 22 airplane (6 F 35A, 8 Typhoon e 8 T 346) who drew the number in the sky 100. After the formation, the ceremony went out of protocol for a moment with a “GHEREGHEGHEZ!!!” to which all those present replied, as usual with all the air in the lungs “GHEZ, GHZ, GHZ!!!”.
The intervention of the CSM of the Air Force was followed by that of the Chief of Defense Staff Admiral Cavo Dragone and the Minister of Defense, Honorable Guido Crosetto. At the end of his speech, the War Flag of the Air Force was awarded the medal of "Knight Military Order of Italy" while the first aircraft of the parade began to flow in the clear and very blue sky of the Capital.
In total, on the sky of Rome they paraded:
- Training 100: 6 F 35A, 8 Typhoon e 8 T 346A
- 4 HH 139, 2 HH 212 and 6 HH 101
- 4 P 180
- 2 C 130J, 4 C 27J e 1 P-72
- 1 G 550 CAEW and 1 EM 350 SPYDR
- 1 A 319, 1 Falcon 50 and 1 Falcon 900
- 8 PA 200 Tornado
- 4 Typhoon e 4 T 346A
- 1 KC 767, 1 F 35A, 2 Typhoon e 2 T 346A
In addition, the PAN has carried out 3 steps: one on the display line in halo formation, one in front of the authorities in diamond formation and the greeting passage to the President of the Republic coming from behind the podium of the authorities.
72 planes + 27 PAN (9×3) = 99 planes…….+ 1 HH 139 who did the video shooting = 100 aircraft….like i 100 Air Force years. I don't know if it was wanted, but the bill adds up!!!!
Greetings Air Force!!!!
We thank the 5th Department - Communication of the Air Force General Staff for the opportunity granted
