Latina, 1 September 2022
A sober ceremony was the backdrop on Thursday 01 September at the hangar of the Aircraft Efficiency Group of the "Enrico Comani" military airport of Latina Scalo at the handover between Lieutenant Colonel Damiano T, Outgoing Commander of the 207th Flight Group and Major Nicola C. Taking over commander.
The event chaired by Colonel Giuseppe Bellomo, Commander of the 70th Wing "Giulio Cesare Graziani", it saw the participation of a representation of the Department's civilian and military personnel, of the students of the 1st class of the regular courses of the Aeronautical Academy, of some family members and guests of the alternating commanders, as well as some former Commanders of the 207th Flight Group, who with their presence wanted to testify to the strong bond that continues to bind the staff who, in the years, he served at the Stormo. Strongly and emotionally felt by the entire staff of the Flock the presence, as guest of honor at the ceremony, of Mrs. Noemi, widow of the late Captain Andrea Adreani, a young Pilot Instructor of the Pontina Flight School, recently passed away after fighting, for a long time, against an ugly evil.
In his farewell speech, the outgoing Commander wanted to thank the entire staff of the 207th Flight Group and the other branches of the Wing for the continuous and collaborative support thanks to which it was possible to complete each assigned task.. Then addressing the students he wanted to encourage them to do their best because "... only those who really believe in it and who are willing to go beyond their limits will be able to realize their dream, or perhaps it would be more appropriate to say, they will be able to start their journey, because this is only the beginning. But this is where it all starts!”.
After the handover, occurred with the symbolic exchange of the 207 ° Gruppo Volo banner and the reading of the recognition formula, the incoming Commander in thanking Col. Bellomo and the leaders of the Armed Force for the trust placed in him, he greeted and thanked his predecessor for his commitment and total dedication expressed, confirming himself as a valid example to inspire in the fulfillment of the role of commander of the 207th Flight Group.
On the sidelines of the event, Colonel Bellomo also expressed words of appreciation and recognition to the outgoing Commander for the work done and the competence demonstrated, congratulating the successor for the new challenge he is about to face. In particular, addressing the two officers declared: “Damiano, in these days of working together I have always seen you look with a magnifying glass at all the peculiarities and realities of your Group and your men. I can say with conviction that you have been a prominent commander, always animated by those universal ideals and principles that have always been peculiar to our Armed Force. .... Nicola you are preparing to lead the 207th Flight Group after a consolidated experience as a pilot and as Commander of the Professional Education Group and in the change with Damiano I see clear elements of continuity and coherence emerge. For you, the path of satisfaction and responsibility begins today with a beautiful climb, we have more than 70 first year students, a very high number that has not been seen for years. Nicola, good luck and welcome aboard!”
The memory dedicated by the three Commanders is particularly touching, during his speeches, to my friend and colleague Andrea. His, to Mrs. Noemi and little Leonardo, the entire 70th Wing wanted to express their closeness by uniting in a deep and emotional embrace.
The 70th Wing, placed under the Schools Command of the Air Force and Third Air Region of Bari, is based at the “Enrico Comani” Military Airport in Latina and has been for over sixty years, represents the first mandatory stage in the professional training of the "military pilot", since it performs the institutional tasks of selecting and training future military pilots of the Air Force, of the other Armed Forces and Armed Corps of the State and cadets of other Nations, through the issue of the first driving license, Airplane Pilot Licence (BPA). From its establishment to today, the Pontine Flying School has released over 15.000 piloting patents, achieving a total of over 500.000 flight hours, carried out on aircraft: Douglas C-47 Dakota, Beechcraft C45, Piaggio P.166M, Piaggio P.148, SIAI Marchetti SF260AM, Cessna L.19, Dornier 228, Piaggio P.68, Piaggio P.166 DL3, Leonardo SF260EA, SIAI Marchetti S.208M, Piaggio P.166 DP1 and Tecnam P-2006T
Sources: photo and text Aeronautica Militare
