The first edition of the “Aeronautica Militare Balloon Cup”, which took place from 11 to 13 October at the military airport of San Damiano, home of the Piacenza aeronautical detachment, ended with great success. The award ceremony and closing celebrated not only the winners, but also the incredible turnout of the public.
Over the three days, over 30.000 people crowded the event, with peak attendance on Saturday and Sunday. In addition to the exciting gas and hot air balloon races, which involved 10 teams of international pilots, over 1.500 visitors had the opportunity to experience the thrill of flight thanks to the tethered ascents, and even more enthusiastic visitors tried their hand at the creative workshops, making 1.100 mini hot air balloons and 1.200 kites.
An initiative promoted by the Ministry of Defense and organized by Difesa Servizi in collaboration with the Air Force, the Aeroclub of Pavullo and the technical support of Aeronord aerostati.
The event officially kicked off on Friday afternoon with the opening ceremony, moderated by journalist Benedetta Delogu, who led the audience through a series of important speeches. Lieutenant Colonel Salvatore Occini, commander of the Piacenza airport detachment, together with the mayor of San Giorgio Piacentino, Donatella Alberoni, underlined the importance of events such as the Balloon Cup to strengthen ties between the armed forces and the local community.
The CEO of Difesa Servizi, Luca Andreoli, underlined during the opening ceremony: “Difesa Servizi believes in these initiatives intended and designed for the community. We want to tell the story and emotions of flight through hot air balloons, the first instrument with which man has explored the third dimension, we do it by looking to the future, which is already present, the stratosphere. Visitors, in addition to participating in the initiatives of the event, will be able to admire the beauty of Italy from a different point of view: from the sky. This is part of a path that Difesa Servizi has undertaken together with stakeholders such as the Agenzia del Demanio, the Ministry of Tourism and Enit – national tourism agency, which is called 'Valore Paese Italia', through which we tell and enhance all the beauty of our country.“
The Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Air Force General Luca Goretti, highlighted how the "Initiatives like this allow the general public to learn about the Air Force and what it does every day in the service of the country. If we are here today to appreciate this beautiful show, it is also because the Air Force and Defense are here every day to defend one of the fundamental values: freedom"General Goretti then continued: "We have made available the Piacenza military airport, an important department for the Air Force also in order to enhance the historical heritage of the Armed Forces, because by appreciating what we have been, we can better face the challenges of the future. We see it here, the hot air balloons represent the dawn of flight, from that flight we have grown and we have arrived to today with the human space flight on the ISS. We are proud to promote events like this. We want to make ourselves known especially to the young people who represent the future of this country. We invite them to be curious and to ask every single member of the Air Force what their job is that they do every day. You will be enthusiastic and you will discover that it is one of the most beautiful professions there is, those related to the world of flight".
Numerous initiatives in the three days dedicated to the world of flight saw the Air Force as the protagonist: from the recreational simulators of the aircraft of the Frecce Tricolori and Euro Fighter to oculus, viewers that allowed the use of various flight-related content in the context of virtual reality, including aircraft on static display such as the T-346A, Euro Fighter, Tornado, HH-212, HH-139, the mock up of the MB339PAN, up to the historical reenactment of Campo 100. The flyovers of the Tornado and F-35A aircraft of the 6th wing, the Eurofighter of the 51st wing, the formation Legend and the performance of the acrobatic program of the Frecce Tricolori have thrilled and enchanted the audience present. Also arousing great interest was the meeting with the astronauts of the AX-3 mission with Colonel Walter Villadei who, together with his colleagues, recounted the activities carried out in orbit aboard the International Space Station. Great participation on the final day for the performance of the Fanfare of the Air Team Command and 1st Air Region Milan and the meeting with the Blue butterflies, the rhythmic gymnastics team that took home a bronze medal at the last Olympics in Paris.
Air Brigade General Urbano Floreani, head of the communications department of the Air Force, brought greetings and satisfaction for the success of the event expressed by the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Air Squadron General Luca Goretti, underlining the importance of initiatives such as the Balloon Cup in promoting aeronautical culture and the link between the Air Force and the territory.
We also greeted with special affection the crews of the HH-139 of the 15th Cervia wing present at the event together with the 118 personnel, who provided a valuable contribution in bringing relief to the population of Emilia-Romagna recently hit by a violent flood.
An event that also highlighted the generosity of the public towards the Buzzi Foundation, thanks to the donations that transformed the flight of many hot air balloons into a concrete contribution for the creation of a new Shock Room of the Buzzi Pediatric Hospital.
The appointment is for the second edition of the “Aeronautica Militare Balloon Cup” from the hot air balloon to the stratosphere” in 2025.