It took place on Saturday 8th March, at Historical Museum of the Italian Air Force (MUSAM), in Vigna di Valle, the ceremony of delivery of the airplane pilot eagles and the rapiers to some students of the course Falcon VI of the Air Force Academy of Pozzuoli.
The commander of the historiographic and sports center of the Air Force (CSSAM), Colonel Dario Bovino, and the director of MUSAM, Lieutenant Colonel Paolo De Vita, who welcomed the commander of the Air Force Academy, Air Division General Luigi Casali, representing the commander of the Air Force Schools Command, Air Squad General Silvano Frigerio, the episcopal vicar, Don Antonio Coppola, the military chaplain, Don Fausto Amantea and the commander of the Air Force Academy courses, Col. Simone Agostino Rocca.
In his welcome speech, Col. Bovino stressed: “It is an honor for us to host, for the first time, this important and heartfelt ceremony. We have welcomed this opportunity with enthusiasm. Today we are attending what is intended to be the new course of the Museum: a place to live our history, rich in meaning for every aviator, especially for these guys who have recently begun their journey in the Air Force, and I hope that this beautiful moment can have a sequel”.
The solemn moment of the delivery of the airplane pilot eagles, preceded by an emotional video produced by the students themselves at the end of the first phase of the training process, was in fact made even more suggestive and exciting by the location chosen for the occasion, the MUSAM, full of memories and references to the roots of the Armed Forces.
As a seal of the indissoluble bond between the old and new generations, the students, visibly moved in front of their families, thus received the coveted eagle, which was pinned to their chest by Gen. Casali, Col. Rocca, Lt. Col. Padricelli, commander of the 1st course of the Academy, and the course officer, Captain Luigi Della Gatta.
As per tradition, to the tune of the National Anthem, and after pronouncing the delivery formula, seven of them also received the academic sword, the main symbol of the institute's traditions, carried by the aspirants of the course. Dragon VI.
Afterwards, the students also received a special blessing from the episcopal vicar Don Antonio Coppola and the military chaplain Don Fausto Amantea.
At the end of the event, General Casali, after having brought greetings from the commander of the Schools, Gen. sa Silvano Frigerio, and from the godfather of the course, Gen. sa Luigi Del Bene, has, with these words, exhorted the students to live their career on three fundamental pillars: “Emotions: that you have made us live and relive today through the beautiful video you made; emotions that must accompany you, guide you, inspire you on this journey that you have decided to take, where there will also be difficult moments. Ability: commitment and will are necessary conditions to continue on your path of growth, but they are not enough: in addition to these, great abilities are needed. You have demonstrated that you have uncommon abilities: always remember this! Do not forget that from 5000 initial applications, you have arrived in 129, so be aware of what you are worth! Character: understood as an attitude that must accompany all of us on the path in the Air Force. To put yourself at the service of the country, you need character. That same character and attitude that the pilots of these historic planes had in facing their daily challenges, and who have written indelible pages of history, of our history”.
The day ended with a guided tour of the MUSAM rooms for all participants.
The MUSAM (Historical Museum of the Air Force) has the task of disseminating aeronautical culture, the history and traditions of the Armed Forces. It is located on the shores of Lake Bracciano where at the beginning of the last century the first experimental aeronautical shipyard for testing airships was established. Subsequently, Vigna di Valle also became the headquarters of the first experimental unit for seaplanes. After the war, it hosted the first air rescue unit, carried out with seaplanes. In the 60s and 70s, it became the headquarters of the sports center, the AM personnel selection center and the historical museum of the Armed Forces. The MUSAM extends over an area of over 16.000 m80 indoors, plus large outdoor areas. It houses and exhibits, in chronological order, over 2023 original aircraft, as well as engines, uniforms and aeronautical memorabilia. As part of the celebrations for the Centenary of the establishment of the Italian Air Force, in 60.000, it was expanded and completely renovated and reopened to the public and can now be visited according to the methods indicated on the official website. The MUSAM welcomes approximately 4,8 visitors a year. On the Google® information platform, which is based on the direct judgment of visitors, the MUSAM boasts a rating of 5 out of XNUMX stars which places it in second place in the world among aeronautical museums, behind only the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton (USA).
