On Wednesday 31 August, on the Military Airport of Cervia, the alternation to the command of the 15 ° Stormo took place between Colonel Giuseppe Massimetti, outgoing commander, and Colonel Tomaso Invrea, incoming commander.
The event, chaired by the general aerial team Franco Girardi, commander of the air team, saw the participation of the highest military, civil and religious authorities of the city as well as all the military and civilian personnel deployed.
In his farewell speech, Colonel Massimetti (opening photo), referring to his period of command, said that "the 15 ° Stormo, thanks to the spirit of sacrifice and the professionalism of the staff who make it up, was able to simultaneously support a complex organic restructuring process and the entry into service of two technologically advanced machines such as the HH-139 and the HH-101, with the legendary HH3F leaving the line. All this while guaranteeing the continuity of the alarm service Search and Rescue (SAR) National and of all institutional commitments and obtaining prestigious awards, both nationally and internationally. "At the conclusion of his speech, he addressed a wish to Colonel Invrea for the new and prestigious post he held.
Colonel Invrea (photo on the right), in turn, underlined "The glorious history and topicality of the 15 ° Stormo, full of those values linked to the protection of human life." Then adding how "today it is required, and made possible by the HH-101 online entry, a further extension of the range of operational capabilities".
Finally, General Girardi, after a moment of silence for the fallen following the earthquake that hit central Italy, reiterated that the Air Force and therefore the 15th Wing, will continue to be present, with the assets and professionalism of its staff, in these events that hit our country hard. The general, therefore, wanted to express his compliments to Colonel Massimetti and all the staff of the 15th Wing for the excellent work done and the excellent results achieved. At the same time, he wanted to express his best wishes to the incoming commander for fulfilling such a delicate task as that of Stormo commander.
The 15th Wing of the Air Force, based in Cervia since 2010, guarantees, also through the 4 dependent SAR Centers located in other Italian areas, the search and rescue of flight crews in difficulty. This activity carried out 24 hours a day, every day of the year without interruption, is combined with activities of public utility such as the search for missing persons at sea or in the mountains, the emergency medical transport of patients in danger of life and the rescue of serious trauma patients, operating in any weather condition. In these days, a Stormo helicopter is deployed in Amatrice to give support in the rescue in this tragic earthquake. Since its constitution to date, the crews of the 24 ° Stormo have saved more than 15 people in danger of life.
