On Wednesday 18 September, in the evocative setting of the Badoni Hangar of the Museo Storico dell'Aeronautica Militare (MUSAM), on the ancient seaplane base of Vigna di Valle, the ceremony marking the change of command of the historiographical and sports centre of the Italian Air Force (CSSAM) was held between the outgoing commander, Colonel Luigi Barbagallo, and the incoming commander, Colonel Dario Bovino. The event took place in the presence of the commander of the Italian Air Force command (COMAER), Air Force squadron general Giandomenico Taricco, and the civil, military and religious authorities of the surrounding area.
In his closing speech, Colonel Barbagallo wanted to thank all those who have collaborated with him during these two and a half years of command: the higher authorities for the trust placed in him, both for the assignment just concluded and for the one he will be taking up at the general office of the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, the local institutions, always collaborative, and the CSSAM staff: “It was an exciting and unforgettable experience […], I had the opportunity to work with an extraordinary team, made up of exceptional people, driven by passion, dedication and professionalism. […] What will remain most impressed in my memory are not the numbers, the reports or the statistics. They are the faces, the smiles, the handshakes, the words of encouragement in moments of challenge, and the complicity that we shared”.
At the end of his farewell speech, Colonel Barbagallo addressed a dutiful wish to the new commander for the challenging path that awaits him and his new staff: “History and sports, as well as military life, teach us that change is inevitable, but it is also what allows us to grow. Our future, as well as our past, is in the hands of those who have the courage to look forward, always keeping an eye on the lessons of the past. Dear Dario, I am more than certain that you will be able to direct the men and women of Vigna di Valle with the professional value and skills that have always distinguished you”.
For his part, Colonel Bovino, in his inaugural speech, wanted to thank the Higher Authorities for the trust placed in him, and his predecessor for the work carried out thus far, highlighting the desire to give continuity to what has been done so far: “I am aware of the expectations of the Armed Forces' top brass on Vigna di Valle, for its mission as custodian of the history and values of the Air Force and for the value, also at a social level, of military sport. Taking command of the oldest aeronautical installation, protagonist at the dawn of the 900th century of the birth of aviation, and today of the highest strategic value to tell who we are, what we do and above all how we do it, gives me strong emotions, some healthy fear but great energy. […] We have the privilege of working in a unique location for the beauty of the nature in which it is immersed, for the location of two extraordinary assets, the Museum and the Sports Center, which used in synergy offer great opportunities. Unique also for being a military base permanently open to the public. Let us all feel proud and honoured to be able to show how much the Armed Forces has done and does for our beloved Italy, for over 100 years, among the few in the world to boast this achievement”.
Then, addressing the CSSAM staff, to describe his modus operandi, Colonel Bovino took as an example the figure of Louis Bourlot, to whom the Vigna di Valle base is dedicated: “How to do our duty: working in silence, at the service of the institutions and the community, honoring the oath, with deep satisfaction for what is done and without seeking individual protagonism. Characteristics embodied by Captain Bourlot, […]. “In his high capacity there was no shadow of presumption; he gave more than what duty required, more than what was necessary, so simply, modestly, almost apologizing for not giving even more”. To those who from today will be my collaborators I say that we have a great responsibility. We have the honor of serving in this place where the Spirit of Bourlot hovers and must be a source of daily inspiration”.
The new commander then mentioned the immediate future and the synergy with local institutions: "The ambition is to make the Vigna di Valle site live as a sort of cultural laboratory, available to citizens, tourists, large companies and especially young people, where they can spend, perhaps on weekends or during school breaks, experiences that mix History, Technology, Sport and Territory. [...] But we want to be even more open to citizens. We are at your disposal to plan activities together, to expand synergies, to co-participate in events that develop on the Lake".
The commander of COMAER, general of the air force Giandomenico Taricco, after thanking Colonel Barbagallo for the work done, and the communities and local authorities for the constant and effective collaboration that has always tied them to the Air Force, wanted to draw up a summary of the work of Colonel Barbagallo, starting with the great work of redevelopment and enhancement of the Historical Museum on the occasion of the Centenary of the Armed Forces. "The result is there for all to see, especially as demonstrated by the very high rating provided directly by visitors to the Museum on various tourism platforms. Another important milestone is the restoration and delivery to the Ethiopian government of the Weber AVII, which gave the opportunity to bring the Prime Minister, the Minister of Defense and the Ethiopian authorities here to Vigna di Valle. A great result, the fruit of teamwork and the high professionalism of the Vigna di Valle staff".
And speaking of teamwork, addressing Colonel Bovino, he said: "You will be able to pick up the baton and move forward with a new phase. As was done with the Museum, the Air Force sports center will also undergo an activity of enhancement and investment, to put the sports group in the best conditions to continue to operate and win. To the athletes I say: the Air Force has chosen you and follows you: wear our blue jersey with pride. After the Paris Olympics that brought us two silvers and a bronze, we are already starting to think about the next event, in four years at the Los Angeles Olympics".
The ancient seaplane base “Luigi Bourlot” in Vigna di Valle is the place where aviation activity began in Italy: starting in 1908, the first military airships flew from here, and then the seaplanes. The base was also home to the first air rescue unit and, for over twenty years, the AM personnel selection center. In the 1977s, the base was redeveloped and transformed into an AM sports center and a collection center for historic aircraft, which in XNUMX officially became the Armed Forces Historical Museum.
Today the CSSAM of Vigna di Valle has the task of supervising the activities of its two entities: the AM sports center works to protect the national sports heritage and thanks to the contribution of its technical-specialist staff it carries out a careful search for the best talents, contributing to the technical-theoretical development of sports dynamics. The top-level athletes participate in the most important national and international competitions. MUSAM, this is the acronym chosen for the new Historical Museum of the Italian Air Force, totally renovated and expanded in 2023 after 2 years of work, has the task of disseminating aeronautical culture, the history and traditions of the Armed Forces through the aircraft and memorabilia on display, but also with numerous initiatives. It is visited annually by around 100.000 people.
In addition to its institutional tasks, the CSSAM also provides logistical support to SICRAL (Italian System for Confidential Communications and Alarms) an important inter-force telecommunications centre, and the CTM – technical centre for meteorology.