Aeronautica Militare Celebrates 78 Years and Announces Air Festival
Seventy-eight years in uniform: the Aeronautica militare, the youngest of the armed forces, celebrated yesterday in Ghedi its founding anniversary, announcing the Air Festival, which will take place in Ghedi on June 24.
Meanwhile, the Red Devils of the Sesto stormo, assembled for the ceremony that drew many civil and military authorities, received a warm “affectionate salute” from the Chief of Defense Staff, Gen. Mario Arpino, and a message from the Chief of Staff of the Aeronautica militare, Gen. Andrea Fornasiero.
Speeches and Restructurings
The latter recalled the ongoing restructuring within the Aeronautica, which will reduce personnel by approximately 10,000 (the current 54,000 will be 44,000 by 2007), and technical adjustments such as the selection of the Efa aircraft.
Commander Roberto Nordio then remembered the fallen, particularly Col. Franceschetti, who died in an Am/X aircraft over the Treviso skies, and Marshal De Papa, who died while assisting a G222 aircraft in Iceland.
The ceremony continued with the distribution of 29 honors.
Honors and Awards
They received the silver second-class medal for long air navigation: Lt. Col. Luca Cappelli, Fabio Giunchi, Domenica Ternullo.
The third-class bronze medal was awarded to Capt. Gianvito Gerardi, and Capt. Alan Martinis.
Capt. Davide Re received the diploma for specialized instructor Cb/Cbse; the 16-year seniority cross was awarded to Capt. Paolo Briancesco; the third-grade silver medal for long navigation was conferred on Capt. Roberto Leo, and Capt. Andrea Olivieri.
The same captain also received the NATO award for operations in the former Yugoslavia. The same award and the Bosnia commemorative cross went to Lt. Danilo Altomonte. A 16-year seniority cross was awarded to Capt. Amedeo Ronchi; the diploma for specialized instructor Cb was awarded to Lt. Col. Amilcare Mazzotti; NATO award to Lt. Col. Giuseppe Sgamba, who also received the silver second-class medal for long air navigation.
Additional Awards and Honors
The same medal was awarded to Lt. Col. Riccardo Ferraresi. The Bosnia commemorative cross went to Capt. Riccardo Isoli; a 40-year seniority cross was awarded to Lt. Col. Roberto Martini; the Bosnia commemorative cross to Maj. Giuseppe Sciotti; a 25-year seniority cross to Lt. Col. Maurizio Crocco; and a 40-year seniority cross to Col. Agostino Gamarino, who also received the knighthood title.
The Mauritian medal was awarded to three assistants: Alberto Pini, Maurizio Pelone, Antonio Alias, Giuseppe Tea.
The bronze military medal for long command was awarded to assistants Tommaso Bencivenga and Vincenzo Feliziani.
