Livorno, November 9, 2026 – Fifty-five years after the Meloria tragedy, the Brigata Paracadutisti “Folgore” once again paid tribute to the 53 servicemen who lost their lives in the November 9, 1971 air disaster and during the subsequent recovery operations.
A particularly moving day of commemorations, impeccably organized by the 187° Reggimento Paracadutisti “Folgore”, brought together civil, military and religious authorities, relatives of the Italian and British victims, representatives of veterans' associations, and a Royal Air Force delegation. Every detail of the event reflected solemnity, respect and remembrance for the fallen.
Among the authorities in attendance were Brigadier General Dario Paduano, Commander of the Brigata Paracadutisti “Folgore”; Colonel Girolamo Bufi, Commander of the 187° Reggimento Paracadutisti “Folgore”; Lieutenant General (ret.) Marco Bertolini, National President of the Associazione Nazionale Paracadutisti d'Italia (ANPd'I); and Representative Paola Chiesa, parliamentary leader for Fratelli d’Italia on the Chamber of Deputies' 4th Defense Committee.
Military and religious ceremonies, accounts from fellow servicemen, wreath-laying ceremonies, a parachute drop into the sea, and the screening of a documentary produced by the Italian Army in collaboration with RAI marked a day dedicated to remembrance and to the enduring values that distinguish Italian paratroopers.
November 9, 1971: the final flight of “Gesso 4”
On November 9, 1971, a British Royal Air Force Lockheed C-130 Hercules, identified by the radio call sign “Gesso 4”, crashed into the waters of the Secche della Meloria, off Livorno.
The aircraft had taken off from Pisa-San Giusto Airport and was bound for Sardinia to take part in the international exercise Cold Stream.
On board were 46 Italian paratroopers from the 6ª Compagnia “Draghi”, assigned to the 187° Reggimento Paracadutisti “Folgore”, and six British airmen. There were no survivors.
The aircraft disappeared just minutes after takeoff. Attempts to re-establish radio contact went unanswered, giving rise to the phrase that would remain etched in the history of the Folgore: “Gesso 4 is not responding”.
In the days that followed, during the difficult operations to recover the bodies, Sergente Maggiore Giannino Caria, a paratrooper diver of the Battaglione Sabotatori, also lost his life, bringing the total number of victims to 53.
At the time of the tragedy, the 6ª Compagnia was known as “Draghi”. It would only take on the name “Grifi” in the first months of 1972.
A distinction that still holds special significance today for the fellow servicemen of the Fallen, who continue to remember those young paratroopers of the second 1971 intake as the “Draghi della Meloria”.
At the Cimitero della Cigna, remembrance of the Fallen: remarks by Colonel Bufi and General Paduano
The commemorative day began at around 9:00 a.m. at the Cimitero Comunale “La Cigna” di Livorno, in front of the memorial shrine dedicated to the Fallen of the Meloria.
The ceremony included the laying of a laurel wreath, military honors, the sounding of Taps, and the Preghiera del Paracadutista.
Colonnello Girolamo Bufi, Commander of the 187° Reggimento Paracadutisti “Folgore”, and Generale di Brigata Dario Paduano, Commander of the Brigata Folgore, then delivered remarks.
After thanking the victims' families and all those present, Colonel Bufi emphasized the significance of the commemoration:
«The presence of all of you here today demonstrates the commitment to preserve and honor the memory of those who lost their lives on that tragic day, united by duty and bound by fate».
The Commander of the 187° recalled that the Meloria tragedy represents an essential part of the identity of the Reggimento and the entire Brigata Folgore.
«Remembering does not simply mean commemorating a loss; it means recognizing its value and reaffirming the principles that continue to guide our service today».
Special thought was also given to those who, in the hours and days following the disaster, took part in the rescue operations and recovery of the bodies, undertaking an extremely difficult task with an extraordinary spirit of service, humanity, and dedication.
Bufi also highlighted the importance of the documentary dedicated to the Meloria, produced by RAI in collaboration with the Esercito Italiano and made available on the RaiPlay platform specifically for the 55° anniversary.
According to the Commander, the initiative broadens the scope of remembrance and enables new generations to learn about the sacrifice of the servicemen who perished.
The conclusion of his address directly invoked the identity and responsibility of the Regiment:
«We are here in their name. We are the continuity of their memory, their example, their sacrifice. We are the 187° Reggimento».
General Paduano: «We do not forget those who left us the task of carrying on»
This was followed by remarks from Brigadier General Dario Paduano, who greeted those in attendance, who had come from different parts of Italy, with a special thought for the families of the Fallen.
The Commander of Folgore recalled how much Italian society and the Armed Forces have changed over the past fifty-five years.
Today's Brigade is profoundly different from that of 1971. The conscripts of that time are no longer there; equipment, training, operational environments and responsibilities have all changed. But, according to Paduano, one element must remain unchanged: the very meaning of being paratroopers.
Recalling the sacrifice of Master Sergeant Giannino Caria, who died while attempting to recover a fellow serviceman from the seabed, the General emphasized the sense of duty and responsibility toward others.
«Today's paratroopers are not those of the past, but the responsibility to be there for others has remained intact, even when it demands far more than is easy to give. This is the legacy we must preserve and pass on».
Paduano then focused on the importance of the documentary produced by the Army in collaboration with RAI, recalling how, four years earlier, some family members had expressed the feeling that only the 187° Reggimento continued to remember that tragedy.
The General wished to respond to that sentiment by underscoring the commitment of the entire Esercito Italiano to preserving and sharing the memory of the Meloria.
In this respect, the production of the documentary is a concrete and tangible sign, intended to bring the story of the Fallen to the attention of the wider public and younger generations.
Finally, addressing the families, Paduano reaffirmed Folgore's closeness:
«Your loved ones are not merely names in the history of Folgore; they are part of the history we continue to live, and of the responsibility we bear today».
The conclusion of his address summed up the meaning of the entire day:
«We look ahead, but we know where we come from and do not forget those who left us the task of carrying on».
Mass and the commemoration at Banditella
Following the ceremony at Cigna Cemetery, authorities, family members and guests moved to the Church of Saint Lucy, where Father Michele Mangialardi, Military Chaplain of the Brigata Paracadutisti “Folgore”, celebrated Mass in memory of the Caduti della Meloria.
At the conclusion of the service, a relative of the victims spoke, emphasizing that the annual commemorations are a great source of comfort for the families, bearing witness to a closeness and affection that the passage of time has not erased.
The ceremony concluded with the poem “One Cannot Die at Twenty”, written in memory of the young paratroopers of Meloria and, for the first time, presented in a musical setting and performed as a song. A true hymn to life, dedicated to those young men whose future, dreams and hopes were prematurely taken away by the tragedy of November 9, 1971.
The commemorations subsequently continued at the Monumento ai Caduti della Meloria, in the Banditella area, inaugurated in November 2003 thanks to the commitment and determination of Paratrooper Raider Marshal Paolo Frediani, who passed away in 2019. Built to honor a promise made to the son of Marshal Augello, jumpmaster aboard the aircraft “Gesso 4”, the monument is now one of the principal sites of remembrance associated with the Meloria tragedy.
The laying of a laurel wreath, military honors and the prescribed moment of silence preceded remarks by representatives of the Royal Air Force, comrades-in-arms of the Caduti, the National President of ANPd'I and the commander of the current 6ª Compagnia “Grifi”.
The Royal Air Force's remembrance: a sacrifice that unites Italy and the United Kingdom
The representative of the Royal Air Force, speaking on behalf of the 24ª Squadriglia and its association, thanked the Esercito Italiano, the Livorno community and the victims' families for their welcome and their continued commitment to preserving the memory of the tragedy.
In his remarks, he noted that serving one's country is a privilege, but also entails the responsibility of never forgetting those who lost their lives in the line of duty.
The commemoration, he stressed, not only pays tribute to the Fallen but also helps strengthen the bond among service members and between the two nations.
A message of gratitude and brotherhood in memory of the six British airmen and the Italian paratroopers who perished together in the waters off Meloria.
A paratrooper's moving tribute: «Farewell, forever young»
One of the most poignant moments of the ceremony at Banditella was the address by a paratrooper, who paid tribute to his young comrades who died.
«This is our day of remembrance, an ill-fated date. This is for you, angels of Meloria. We remember you with emotion and pride, so that those who knew you may never forget you».
His words restored a deeply human dimension to the commemoration, remembering not only the fallen service members but, above all, the young men they were before the tragedy.
Young men full of life, enthusiasm, dreams, and expectations, suddenly torn from their families and comrades.
The paratrooper recalled the grief of those who knew them and the void left by their loss, underscoring the value of testimony as a means of keeping their memory alive.
«You are worthy examples to be passed on to future generations. You defy death because we cherish your memory every day».
The particularly moving conclusion was addressed directly to the paratroopers of the 6ª Compagnia “Draghi”, second intake of 1971:
«A salute, a prayer. Farewell, forever young».
General Bertolini to the "old" Paratroopers: «You are the monument to loyalty»
Among the most significant speeches at the Banditella ceremony was that of Lieutenant General (Ret.) Marco Bertolini, National President of the Associazione Nazionale Paracadutisti d'Italia.
Bertolini opened his address by conveying the deep sympathy of the entire Associazione Nazionale Paracadutisti d'Italia to the families of the Fallen, acknowledging a grief that fifty-five years have not erased.
He then recalled the sense of shock that accompanied news of the tragedy, when he was not yet serving in the Army but already belonged to the parachuting community through the A.N.P.d'I.
His remarks then focused on those who, more than anyone else, have continued to preserve the memory of those young men: the comrades of the 6ª Compagnia “Draghi” and the other units involved, now elderly but still present at commemorations.
Addressing them directly, Bertolini recalled how, for fifty-five years, they have continued to attend ceremonies held in Livorno and elsewhere in Italy, keeping alive the memory of an event that profoundly shaped their lives.
The National President of the A.N.P.d'I. described them as an authentic «monument to loyalty».
A loyalty that spans the decades, withstands life’s changes, and continues to bind together men who shared military service and a sense of belonging to Folgore.
Bertolini emphasized that their presence also provides essential support to the families, who recognize former comrades-in-arms as those who continue to remember their sons, brothers, and relatives who have passed away.
The General also highlighted the value of the example that retired paratroopers set for today’s young servicemembers.
A moral legacy which, according to the National President, serves as a point of reference not only for the A.N.P.d'I., but also for Brigata Folgore and society at large.
Addressing the veterans once again, he concluded:
«You are a fine example for these young men as well, for these young paratroopers who, by seeing your determination, can strengthen their own. Folgore!».
The Commander of the 6ª Compagnia “Grifi”: «The memory of the fallen accompanies us every day in the life of the unit»
Particularly moving was the address by the Captain commanding the current 6ª Compagnia “Grifi” of the 187° Reggimento Paracadutisti “Folgore”, heir to the Compagnia “Draghi” to which the paratroopers killed in 1971 belonged.
Addressing above all the families and comrades-in-arms of the victims, the Captain recalled that, over fifty-five years, generations, technologies, procedures, and the ways in which the military profession is carried out have changed.
But, he stressed, something has remained unchanged: the value of those young men and the bond that still links the Company to their memory today.
The Commander invited those present to imagine the young paratroopers before they became the Caduti della Meloria: young men full of enthusiasm, expectations, and the desire to prove their worth, ready to take part in an important international exercise.
Young men who had chosen to serve their country and could not have imagined that it would be their final mission.
The Captain then made a promise to the families:
«No words spoken on this occasion can restore what you have lost or fill the void that time has been unable to erase. The promise I make to you is that your loved ones will not be forgotten».
The Commander explained that leading the 6ª Compagnia today means not only training and leading paratroopers in training and operational activities, but also safeguarding a history and passing on to new generations the values of courage, loyalty, discipline, generosity, and a sense of belonging.
He recalled that the young paratroopers of the Meloria were, in many respects, similar to today’s “Grifi”: they were the same age, had the same aspirations, and the desire to fully embrace their military experience.
For this reason, the memory of the tragedy cannot be confined to the annual ceremony, but must be part of the unit’s daily life.
The Captain also remembered Giuseppe D'Alessandro, brother of paratrooper Antonio D'Alessandro, who died in the Meloria tragedy and himself passed away during 2026.
For more than half a century, Giuseppe D'Alessandro preserved the memory of his brother, taking part in commemorations and becoming a point of reference for the victims’ families and the 6ª Compagnia.
The Commander also recalled the tradition of the Medaglia della Meloria, awarded to the Regiment’s best paratrooper, through which the bond between the memory of the Fallen and new generations is renewed.
An award of profound symbolic value whose meaning, as the Captain emphasized, lies not in the medal itself, but in the responsibility to prove oneself worthy each day, through one’s actions, of the values and example of those who came before today’s paratroopers.
Paratroopers conduct a sea drop
Following the commemoration at Banditella, the day continued in the Tre Ponti area, along the Livorno coast, where a parachute drop into the sea took place.
Twenty-six paratroopers from Brigata Folgore parachuted into the waters off the coast, in one of the day’s most significant moments.
A gesture of profound symbolic value, it ideally united generations of paratroopers and paid tribute to the 47 comrades who had died fifty-five years earlier.
RAI documentary at Caserma Vannucci: “The Time That Remains”
At the conclusion of the morning commemorations, guests and the families of the Fallen were welcomed at Caserma “Vannucci” in Livorno, home of the 187° Reggimento Paracadutisti “Folgore”, for a luncheon organized in the Regiment’s mess hall.
A moment of fellowship among the victims’ families, serving personnel, retired paratroopers and officials, it allowed the memory of the tragedy to continue in an atmosphere of closeness and shared participation.
Later, in the cinema hall at Caserma Vannucci, the documentary “The Time That Remains – Meloria: The Legacy” was screened. It was produced by Esercito Italiano in collaboration with RAI and has been available on the RaiPlay platform since November 9.
The documentary reconstructs the tragedy through contemporary footage, archival material and previously unpublished testimony, giving voice to those who took part in the rescue and recovery operations.
The story unfolds through a continuous comparison between past and present, pairing the testimony of those who lived through those days with images of today’s Folgore paratroopers engaged in training activities and operational preparation.
Not merely a reconstruction of the disaster, but an account of the human and moral legacy left by the tragedy, showing how the memory of the Fallen remains an integral part of the identity of Brigata Paracadutisti Folgore.
The screening took on particular significance in light of the remarks by Colonel Bufi and General Paduano: the memory of Meloria must not remain confined to commemorative ceremonies, but must be known, shared and passed on to new generations.
The tribute at sea off the Secche della Meloria
In the afternoon, the commemoration reached one of the day’s most significant sites: the Secche della Meloria, where the C-130 Hercules crashed on November 9, 1971.
Officials, service members and relatives of the Fallen traveled by boat to the waters near Torre della Meloria, where a laurel wreath was laid in memory of the service members who perished.
A moment of reflection at the site of the tragedy renewed the bond between the Fallen, their families, the Royal Air Force and the Italian paratrooper community.
Fifty-five years later, Folgore does not forget
The Meloria tragedy remains one of the most painful chapters in the history of the Esercito Italiano and Italy’s military parachute forces.
The sacrifice of the 46 paratroopers of the 6ª Compagnia “Draghi”, the six British airmen and Sergente Maggiore Giannino Caria continues to be honored by Brigata Folgore, the Associazione Nazionale Paracadutisti d'Italia and the victims’ families.
The words spoken during the ceremonies conveyed the deepest meaning of this anniversary: not merely to remember a tragedy, but to recognize the valor of young men who lost their lives in the line of duty, and of those who have continued to pass on their memory for fifty-five years.
From the veterans of the 6ª Compagnia “Draghi” to the young paratroopers of the 6ª “Grifi”, the memory of Meloria represents a bond that spans generations.
The production of the documentary in collaboration with RAI now provides an additional means of sharing this story, so that the sacrifice of the Fallen may also be known by those who did not live through those years.
As General Paduano noted, tools and scenarios change, but the responsibility to be there for others, even in the most difficult circumstances, remains unchanged.
“Gesso 4 is not responding.” Fifty-five years later, Folgore continues to preserve the memory of its Fallen.
Folgore!
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