Aeronautical Academy, oath of loyalty to the Homeland for the Zodiac Course V

(To CME "Apulia")
17/04/19

The solemn oath of loyalty to the homeland of the young students of the course ended today in the Piazzale delle Medaglie d'Oro of the Aeronautical Academy of Pozzuoli Zodiac V. The event took place in the presence of the Undersecretary of State for Defense Hon. Raffaele Volpi, of the Chief of Staff of the Air Force gen. Alberto Rosso air squad and numerous civil, military and religious authorities, as well as the parents of the young jurors.

With the traditional "I swear!" the young students are committed to honoring the ideals of loyalty, courage and sense of duty, founding principles of the Armed Force. The customary baptism of the course also took place during the ceremony through the symbolic delivery of the pennant. The baptismal ceremony of the swearing course has in fact been renewed today for the fifth time through an ideal handover between the former students of the generations of the previous courses Zodiac. The students of the Zodiac V thus received, from their godfathers, the official welcome in the ranks of the Italian Air Force.

“You are an Armed Force with unique operational capabilities. Political institutions have a duty to support your excellence ". With these words the Hon. Volpi, in his closing speech, underlined the importance of the choice made by the young jurors. Then addressing the students he continued: "Until a few minutes ago you were Italian, today, from now on, you must be proudly Italian!".

Sidera Feriam, translated with "I will reach the stars", is the heraldic motto that was chosen from the first Zodiac course in the 1941. "Always act in accordance with your motto, which, together with the Corso crest, unites you, unites you and will accompany you forever". Thus the Chief of Staff of the Air Force wanted to remind the young students of the swearing course of the heritage of virtue which from today they will have to inspire, always recognizing the value of discipline as a pillar of the military institution."The Air Force is a living, capable, relevant, appreciated and respected Armed Force, proud and always devoted to serving the country with fidelity, humility and rigor. Always be proud to be part of it ".

Both moments were crowned by the overflight of the National Aerobatic Team, which spread its traditional flag in the sky.

The course Zodiac V it is made up of 75 attendees selected from over 5000 candidates. In their academic career, in accordance with the international cooperation activities carried out by the Air Force in the field of training, the young cadets are joined by 12 foreign students, coming from 8 different nations. Thus there are six courses currently present at the Aeronautical Academy of Pozzuoli, for a total of about 500 visitors.

The Air Force Academy is under the command of the Air Force Schools / 3rd Air Region. It is a military institute of higher education with a university character which has the task of providing for the recruitment and training of young people who aspire to become officers of the Air Force in effective permanent service. By attending the regular courses of the Academy you can become second lieutenants of the Air Force, in the role of normal Navigators (pilots) and in the Normal Role of the Arms, of the Corps of Aeronautical Engineers, of the Corps of Aeronautical Commissariat and of the Aeronautical Sanitary Corps.