The Navy continues the information process for foreign military attachés accredited in Italy, in which eighteen attachés from various nations participated.
After various experiences held between Livorno and La Spezia in 2021 and 2023, mainly aimed at raising awareness of the main hub of the defense industry, the Navy returned to Puglia to continue the information path for foreign military attachés accredited in Italy, through a trip developed over three days of visits and meetings, in which eighteen attachés from seventeen different nations participated.
The aim of the initiative is to consolidate professional and personal relationships with foreign military attachés and illustrate the capabilities of the Navy in sectors of excellence, facilitate the start of new collaborations or expand those already in place.
A journey to learn about the peculiarities and operational capabilities of the main departments, commands and naval establishments of the Navy located in the Apulian operational hub, between Brindisi, Grottaglie and Taranto.
The activity, which was divided into three intense days of visits and meetings, saw the group of 18 employees from 17 different nations arrive in Brindisi to visit the headquarters of the National Amphibious Pole composed of the Third Naval Division and the Marine Brigade. Saint Mark.
The officers were welcomed by Rear Admiral Massimiliano Giuseppe Grazioso, commander of the marine brigade, at the Federiciano Castle in Brindisi, headquarters of the marine brigade command. Saint Mark, where they were able to attend explanatory conferences on the capabilities of the National Amphibious Pole, consisting of theAmphibious Task Force - third naval division and amphibious units - and from landing force of the Italian Navy - Marine Brigade Saint Mark.
At the end of the conferences, the staff were able to test the capabilities of the amphibious assault boats in service with the brigade and then, through the flooded basin, board the amphibious assault ship. Saint Mark and learn the main features of the “Santi” class LPD.
The visit then continued to the "Ermanno Carlotto" barracks, home of the 1st "San Marco" regiment and the "Caorle" Schools battalion, where practical demonstration activities were carried out, such as the Fast Rope, abseiling and tactical ground combat movements.
On the second day of the visit, the group of foreign attachés was welcomed at the Naval Air Station "Tenente Arlotta" in Grottaglie by the base commander, who first presented and illustrated an information briefing focused on the structure, organization, and capabilities of the base and of Naval Aviation more generally.
After the interesting tour of the Historical Hall, the staff visited the flight simulator of the AV8 “Sea Harrier" Plus and the 4th helicopter group, where, with the aircraft on display, the main tasks and functions of the helicopters and airplanes in service were illustrated.
In the afternoon, the visit continued towards the city of the two seas to visit Castel Sant'Angelo, better known as the "Aragonese Castle", the cultural and historical heritage of the Ionian city, guided by the personnel of the Southern Inter-Regional Maritime Command along the internal walkways until reaching the top of the characteristic cylindrical towers.
A journey through history, curated in every detail and the result of the passionate work of military personnel and volunteers, led by the curator of the Castle, Admiral Francesco Ricci, who in 2003, when he was still in service, began a conservative restoration project, managing to bring to light vases, shards and coins, even from the sixth and seventh centuries BC.
The third day was dedicated to the Taranto operational hub, starting from the naval base Great Sea. First meeting at the Second Naval Division (CDN2) and Italian Maritime Forces (ITMARFOR) for the group photo, before continuing with the visit of the base with its facilities and workshops, the headquarters – for the briefing on the organizational structure of CDN2-ITMARFOR and the illustration of the Naval maneuvering simulator (SINAM), and then moved aboard the Multipurpose Offshore Patrol Vessel Francesco Morosini for a guided tour and second breakfast.
The Multipurpose Offshore Patrol Vessel (PPA) Francesco Morosini It is the second of seven units of the PPA class.
Welcomed by the commander, and given a welcome introduction in the unit's hangar, the tour then continued through the main areas on board, having the opportunity to appreciate the high technology that characterizes this modern class of ships.
The Multipurpose Offshore Patrol Vessels are part of the plan to renew the operational lines of the naval units of the Navy decided by the Government and started in May 2015.
In fact, they represent a highly flexible type of ship with the ability to perform multiple tasks thanks to the intrinsic dual capabilities that the logistical arrangements allow, thus ensuring great flexibility of use and high autonomy, necessary to promptly face the evolution of an extremely complex geopolitical scenario that sees the sea as a central element.
In the afternoon, the visit continued with a quick "immersion" into the reality of the Italian underwater component, at the submarine flotilla command in the Taranto Maritime Military Arsenal, where the group had the opportunity to learn about the structure of the Submarine School which, with its three-dimensional, operational and safety simulators, carries out individual and team training and education activities for the national submarine component.
The workers then visited the submarine workshop, where maintenance is carried out and the logistics of the vessels are ensured.
The tour concluded at the Cimeli Hall, which contains over 130 years of Italian submarine history and traditions.
Finally, before returning to Brindisi, a stop at the Navy training center, better known as "Maricentadd".
Useful stop to discover how the crews of the team units train and certify their operational capabilities, through multimedia and innovative paths.
The training center offers courses in: Initial Specialist Qualification, Higher Specialist Qualification, Higher Technical Qualification, Higher Operational Qualification, Workplace Safety, First Aid, High Risk Fire Prevention with the help of Fire Brigade personnel, Online training using platforms e-learning, for the benefit of officers, non-commissioned officers, graduates and civilian personnel of the Navy, the Ministry of Defence, NATO and internationally.
The training offer is followed by the organization of Naval Internships, Internships Limited to Passive Fire and Fault Defense, and Recalls or Checks of Training Levels.
Aircraft training courses include two forms of training, individual and collective.
At the end of the courses, the ability to operate as a team is acquired, both in independent operations and in cooperation with other naval and air assets.
The trip was particularly appreciated by the users, to the benefit of dialogue and international cooperation.
