General Conserva visits the 60° Stormo in Guidonia: focus on training, personnel and infrastructure

On Thursday 24 September, the Chief of Staff of the Aeronautica Militare, air squadron general Antonio Conserva, visited the 60° Stormo at Guidonia.

He was welcomed by air division general Igor Bruni, Commander of the newly established Divisione Addestramento al Volo of the Comando Scuole dell’Aeronautica Militare in Bari, and Colonel Francesco De Vincenti, Commander of the 60° Stormo. The heads of the Unit’s various sections were also present.

Following honors to the Flag, the Chief of Staff was briefed on ongoing activities and future projects in the operational, technical and logistical fields.

The update also covered infrastructure and accommodation requirements, along with the various elements that support the Wing’s daily operations.

Skylaunch winch takeoff

The visit continued with gliding activities. Conserva watched a glider take off using the Skylaunch winch, one of the activities that characterizes the 60° Stormo and its contribution to flight training.

Later, in the hangar, the general met the Unit’s civilian and military personnel. The discussion focused on work carried out across the various functions and on their contribution to fulfilling assigned tasks.

In his remarks, Conserva described personnel as a fundamental resource of the Aeronautica Militare. In his view, skills, experience and commitment are what transform technological potential into tangible operational capabilities.

Personnel, he explained, ensure the employment and efficiency of equipment, as well as the support required for missions. Without the people tasked with operating and supporting systems, even the most advanced technologies could not deliver results.

Discussion of personnel requirements

The Chief of Staff described personnel as the Armed Force’s «primary weapon system». He therefore emphasized the need to recognize the work performed, listen to personnel requirements and pay close attention to service conditions.

During the visit, Conserva also met representatives of the Associazioni professionali a carattere sindacale tra militari (APCSM) and the Rappresentanze sindacali unitarie (RSU) representing civilian Defense personnel.

The meeting provided a further opportunity to discuss the needs of the civilian and military personnel serving in the Unit.

Visit to the historic D.S.S.E.

Conserva then visited the Direzione Superiore Studi ed Esperienze (D.S.S.E.), closely linked to the history of the airfield and to the aviation origins of the city of Guidonia.

The D.S.S.E. was among the first aeronautical research and testing centers, bringing together scientific and technical expertise dedicated to new aircraft, materials and equipment. Its wind tunnels and hydrodynamic tank still testify to the role it played in the study of flight.

The visit linked the unit’s current activities with the legacy of research and innovation preserved in the D.S.S.E. historical museum exhibit. The visit concluded with the signing of the Roll of Honor of the 60° Stormo.

The training role of the 60° Stormo

The 60° Stormo is the only Aeronautica Militare unit equipped with gliders. Activities conducted on the G-103 Twin Astir form part of the training curriculum for cadets at the Accademia Aeronautica.

Training is also provided to student pilots from the other Armed Forces and State Armed Corps. The unit also conducts flight familiarization activities for students of the Scuola Militare Aeronautica “Giulio Douhet”.

Its duties also include organizing the Corsi di Cultura Aeronautica, intended for upper secondary school students.