«This is the meaning we want to give to the presence of this plane, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Air Force. A corps that has seen many fellow military citizens engaged in the protection of the country awarded gold and silver medals. Other municipalities in Italy have already honored this body for their commendable work and Barletta also intended to do so. An unarmed reconnaissance aircraft, acquired by the Italian Air Force in 1956 for territorial control but above all for national and international humanitarian missions such as emergency medical transport, search, rescue and assistance to populations in case of public disasters (earthquakes, floods, etc.).
Until 2021 the aircraft was on display inside the “Mirabilandia” amusement park, in the province of Ravenna, a structure closed after Covid. Many, especially the little ones, were enchanted by its presence and the story behind it. Barletta immediately seized the opportunity to host it at no cost, fix it and reuse it. The older ones will also remember that in 1975 Barletta hosted the SARAM contingent of Taranto inside the “Ruggiero Stella” barracks and was, for many years, the landing strip for humanitarian aid from the Air Force in Via Canosa. A tribute to the great heart of the people of Barletta in the most difficult moments of the country as well as testifying that PEACE always wins WAR. The rondo will be equipped with greenery and flowers and illuminated with our tricolor, underlining our pride in being Italian.”
