With the new year, the commemorations for the Centenary of the Italian Air Force began. In the new Air Force calendar, presented last December, the ten decades of the Italian Air Force were illustrated with splendid tables. Another cultural initiative, which in fact has already opened the celebrations, was the inauguration of the “Wings of Paper” exhibition, which we mention separately, on the Events page.
The commemorations that will follow will see Rome as the “capital” of the celebrations, but with events that will take place throughout Italy, and with the Frecce Tricolori, which will perform in many cities. The National Acrobatic Patrol has planned at least one event-air show for each Italian region during its entire season of activity, as well as overflights over each regional capital.
The main events scheduled
- In Florence, on February 15, it will be possible to visit a Historical Symposium in the Salone dei Cinquecento in Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, which will retrace the fundamental stages of flight and of the Air Force.
- In Rome, from 24 to 29 March 2023, in Piazza del Popolo, the “Air Force Experience” aeronautical village will be created, which will allow citizens of all ages to learn more about the Air Force. Aircrafts on static display, experiential itineraries, information and entertainment meetings, promotional stands, playful simulators, projections, musical and sporting performances to experience the 100th birthday of the Arma Azzurra together.
- March 28, the date of establishment of the Air Force, will obviously be the most significant and iconic moment, which will be celebrated in the center of Rome with two main events: a military ceremony on the Pincio terrace and an aerial overflight over the capital. On this date all Air Force bases will open their bases for the public to showcase military life and activities.
- Another important event is the TRAVELING EXHIBITION, which from 25 March to 24 December will be hosted in many Italian cities, starting from Rome at the Vittoriano and then following: Florence, Bari, Cagliari, Palermo, Caserta, Parma, Treviso, Milan, Ferrara , Viterbo, Lecce and others, during which it will be possible to view the history, capabilities and traditions of the Air Force.
- On 18 April the historical museum of Vigna di Valle (MUSAM) will be reopened, after restyling works that have completely renewed it, while respecting tradition.
- The historical recovery of the DSSE (Higher Studies and Experiences Division) will be inaugurated on 27 April at the 60th Wing of Guidonia.
- an air show will be held on 16 and 18 June at the military airport of Pratica di Mare (Rome), where it will be possible to watch the flight of historic and modern aircraft flying under the Arma Azzurra.
The Air Force will then make its very important background in the aerospace sector available, organizing two international events:
- On 12 and 13 May, in Rome EUR, at the “Nuvola” by the architect Fuksas, the AeroSpace Power Conference, where it will be possible to discuss with world-class experts on the future of the aerospace sector;
- On 9 and 10 November, in Pozzuoli, at the Air Force Academy, a Technical Symposium to discuss some disruptive technologies such as hypersonic and sixth generation fighters.
Therefore, a very rich calendar, with a multitude of initiatives, including in the publishing, film and, of course, in the philatelic-numismatic field, with the issue of a series of stamps and a coin dedicated to the event.