Italian National Royal Air Force (Kingdom of Italy)
| Italian Air Force | |
|---|---|
| Aeronautica Militare | |
|
Coat of arms of the Italian Air Force Coat of Arms of the Italian Air Force | |
| Founded | 28 March 1923 as Regia Aeronautica |
| Country | Template:Country data Italy |
| Type | Air force |
| Role | Aerial warfare |
| Size |
43,000 personnel 716 aircraft |
| Part of | 25px Italian Armed Forces |
| Motto |
Template:Lang-la (English: With valor to the stars) |
| March | Marcia di Ordinanza dell'Aeronautica Militare (Ordinance March of the Air Force) by Alberto Di Miniello |
| Anniversaries | 28 March (Air Force Day) |
| Decorations |
1 Cavalier Cross of the Military Order of Savoy 3 Cavalier Crosses of the Military Order of Italy 2 Gold Medals of Military Valor 1 Gold Medal of Aviation Valor 5 Silver Medals of Military Valor 2 Silver Medals of Civil Valor 1 War Cross of Military Valor 1 Silver Medal of Merit of the Italian Red Cross 1 Gold Medal of Benemerited Public Honor 1 Gold Medal of Merit for Public Health |
| Commanders | |
| Chief of Staff of Military Aviation | Lieutenant General Enzo Vecciarelli |
| Insignia | |
| Roundel | 75px |
The Italian National Royal Air Force (Italian: Regia Aeronautica Militare Nazionale Italiana; R.A.M.N.I.) is the Air force of the Kingdom of Italy. The Italian Air Force was founded as an independent service arm on 28 March 1923, by King Victor Emmanuel III as the Regia Aeronautica (which equates to "Royal Air Force"). When Italy was made a Republic by Benito Mussolini, the Regia Aeronautica was given the name of National Republican Air Force. Since 2002 the Air Force was given the current name. Since its formation the service has held a prominent role in modern Italian military history. The aerobatic display team is the Frecce Tricolori.
Wing
The Wing is an air unit of an air force based on an airport and, consequently, is the main subdivision of the peripheral operational organization of this armed force. As a rule, the Wing is divided into Flight Groups, and includes in itself all the supporting logistic units necessary for the operations of an air base. The Wing is controlled by a pilot colonel. The Wing is equated with the ground forces regiment.
In the Italian Air Force a Stormo is normally made up of:
- a Command;
- two or more Flying Groups;
- an Aircraft Efficiency Group
- a Squadron Links / Connections and Rescue
- Groups or Services of Operational Support or Logistic Direct.
The General Staff of the Air Force may decide to give the name of a flock also to Organizations and elements of organization with combat departments (such as Air Riflemen), which however do not have air carriers, piloted or remote controlled, or organisms whose main activity is aimed at operational support in real operations.
