The ITALAIR Task Force, in the municipality of Al Tiri, in southern Lebanon, commemorated the missing colleagues seventeen years ago, organizing a suffrage ceremony in honor of the fallen, in the presence of numerous UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, the peace contingent of which ITALAIR is part), of the Lebanese civil and military authorities, of a representation of the Irish contingent and of the personnel of the Italair Task Force, commanded by Colonel Claudio Luperto.
The flight unit consists of a group of army aviation squadrons, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Maurizio Sabbi, with flight crews of the Italian army, navy and air force.
The 3 July 1979 the first ITALAIR helicopter squadron, on AB 204, replaced a similar Norwegian flight unit, in response to the UN request to provide air support to the UNIFIL mission under the Security Council's 425 and 426 resolutions.
The 35 years of uninterrupted stay in Lebanese territory (ITALAIR is among other things the veteran unit within UNIFIL) have not affected the enthusiasm, the seriousness and the professionalism that from the first day have characterized the work of men and of ITALAIR women.
The continued commitment of pilots and flight crews has encouraged the development of a strong consensus on the part of the Lebanese and representatives of the entire international community.
Source: Italian contingent in Lebanon
