Twelve months, 365 long days, sunrise and sunset, most of the time experienced at sea, far from their families and the usual affection. One year, the 2017, which draws to a close. A new, the 2018, which is anticipated full of activity. But this time, even before looking ahead, the Navy decided to turn around, look back and take stock: on the other hand, it is the last days of the year that are the best to do so. The result, for those who know the Armed Forces, is not surprising, but only admiration and gratitude. An intense year, where women and men, with professionalism, spirit of sacrifice, self-denial, passion and effectiveness have served to safeguard national security and support the community.
Missions, national and international campaigns, activities in support of scientific research, people with disabilities, the environment, commemorative days and diplomatic appointments: all this and more was the 2017 of the Navy. A year that we of Online Defense we followed closely and we want to retrace with only some of the activities carried out.
Let's start with the European Multi-Mission Frigate Carabiniere that with the commander Francesco Pagnotta he sailed to Southeast Asia and Australia, in order to ensure maritime presence and surveillance, strengthen the cooperation activities already under way with the trans-regional allies and start new relationships with potential partners. From one hemisphere to another: after almost ninety years, the Navy returned to the Arctic with the High North 17 campaign coordinated by the Hydrographic Institute on board Ship Alliance, for a scientific research mission at sea, setting itself as a reference and driving element for the study of phenomena in the polar areas, in synergy with the best national scientific resources. Research activity has also been carried out by the Antarctic Technical Unit of ENEA (UTA) which has entrusted the divers from COMSUBIN the coordination of the underwater operations carried out by the Italian expedition, including the management of the hyperbaric chamber present in the Italian base "Mario Zucchelli". These are the same divers that, during the year, have given hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatments, in collaboration with local ASL, to patients often in danger of life, and who have reclaimed about 22.000 explosive remnants of war residuals found in the waters of the seas , of the Italian rivers and lakes. Remains of war bombs have also been dealt with Minor countermeasure unit.
One year, the 2017, which saw the Navy continue to ensure the most traditional institutional tasks with a continuous operational commitment both at national level and within the international organizations of reference. Indeed, the 2015 is active in the central Mediterranean Operation Safe Sea, with an aeronaval device that ensures the presence, maritime surveillance and safety activities to protect national interests. On several occasions during the year the Navy units promptly intervened also to protect Italian fishing vessels, proving an effective tool for the protection of national productive activities, in full cooperation with the authorities of the riparian countries. As part of the European Union's military missions, the Navy consistently participated in a naval unit with the Italian-led operation Eunavfor Med Sofia in the Mediterranean, while for six months the European Multi-Mission Frigate (FREMM) Virginio Fasan assumed the role of Flag Ship of the operation EUNAVFOR Atalanta, which operates between the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean to ensure the presence, surveillance and police on the high seas for the fight against piracy.
Le Navy school ships they carried out the summer education campaigns for trainees. In particular, Ship Vespucci she returned after seventeen years in North America on the occasion of the celebrations for the 150th anniversary of the Canadian confederation, which saw the presence on board, as well as tens of thousands of visitors, of the head of state, Sergio Mattarella.
The 2017 has seen the Navy also engaged in the field of naval diplomacy and international cooperation. In addition to the aforementioned training campaigns, the 11 ° was held at the Venice Arsenal Regional Seapower Symposium, an international maritime forum attended by representatives of the Marine Navies of around 50 Countries and 11 international organizations. The Symposium was an opportunity for discussion, a direct exchange of ideas, the search for agreements in maritime and naval matters, and was an ideal tool for deepening mutual knowledge among all the actors, both institutional and non-institutional, who share with the Navy, challenges and common interests.
A year devoted, as always, to support for the community and solidarity. The naval aviation participated in the forest fire fighting campaign, while the riflemen of the Marina San Marco Brigade took part in the land control operations and the securing of buildings in the areas of central Italy affected by the earthquake and bad weather. Also the students of the first class of the Naval Academy of Livorno they took to the field alongside the various institutions, helping to alleviate the distress of the population during the tragic flood that hit the city of Lombardy in September. In addition to the various activities at the COMSUBIN in favor of special divers (children or disabled), as is now the case for 10 years, Nave Italy conducted its 2017 solidarity campaign "swarming" with the Fondazione Tender To Nave Italia Onlus that has given to people with social discomfort or carriers of psychophysical disabilities a stimulating life experience on board a sailing ship, framed in specific therapeutic paths. The classic Marina Band concert at the Parco della Musica Auditorium was dedicated to the Telethon Foundation, which has raised funds thanks to the customary distribution of chocolate hearts to encourage research into childhood genetic diseases. Collaboration with Rava Foundation allowed to raise funds for the construction of a school for the unfortunate children of the earthquake zones of Norcia. They continued, with Operation Smile, the weekend clinics aboard the Navy units that have allowed many children, born with serious malformations, to finally be able to smile.
Missions, operations and activities have characterized the 2017 and are a prelude to the 2018. A new year that opens with the historical calendar "Remember the Past - Building the Future": A tribute to the epic undertaking of Premuda of 10 June 1918 by Luigi Rizzo and, with it, to the centenary of the end of the Great War. Through a parallel between the photos of the Navy of yesterday and today, the unchanged sense of duty, professionalism and specialized abilities that the staff of the Armed Force expresses every day at the service of the country is witnessed, and that for several months it is contained in a message simple but revolutionary at the same time: "We are the Navy".
To all of them our wish for an intense and satisfying 2018.
