LECCO – During theflood in Emilia-Romagna of May 2023, which severely hit 44 municipalities in Romagna and the neighboring regions, causing countless damages and 17 victims, relief and aid came from the sky: in fact it was the 15th “Stefano Cagna” Wing of Cervia of the Air Force, dedicated to search and rescue operations (SAR – Search and Rescue) to rescue people in difficulty and help the population by evacuating more than 300 people.
In the division, as also told in a television programmethe captain was also present Matthew Iaconisborn in ’93, born in Leccowhich received the silver medal for aeronautical valor for saving the life of 23 people and did his best to help.
The recognition to the 30-year-old pilot, signed by the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella and the Minister of Defense Guido CrosettoAnd reported in Official Journal And on the website of Municipality of Lecco and reads: “As the second pilot of an HH139 helicopter called to intervene to rescue the civilian population during the flood that devastated Emilia-Romagna, he worked without interruption, with professionalism, efficiency and spirit of sacrifice with the aim of saving the greatest number of people in the shortest possible time, taking them away from imminent danger, operating day and night, in meteorological conditions characterized by exceptional rainfall and strong wind, despite the looming risk due to the particularly impracticable and linked to the morphology of the territory, it contributed to the recovery of twenty-three people, mostly elderly people and children. On this occasion, thanks to his enthusiasm, courage and human virtues, he faced unprecedented and highly dangerous situations with extreme effectiveness and skill, contributing, in a decisive way, to increasing the prestige of the Air Force”. Skies of Forli-Cesena and Ravenna, 16 and 17 May 2023.
The same 15th Wing received the gold medal to the Aeronautical value, with the following motivation: «The flight department of the Air Force, engaged in an operational rescue context made particularly complex by the extreme meteorological conditions, stood out for the precious and irreplaceable support provided to the population on the occasion of the disastrous flood which hit Emilia-Romagna in May 2023. With unprecedented effort, in an extremely delicate, uncomfortable and not risk-free context, operating at a sustained pace with very high professionalism and expertise, the 15th Wing made it possible to evacuate more than three hundred people from an imminently life-threatening situation. Thanks to the enthusiasm, courage, absolute self-denial and tireless commitment of its personnel, it confirmed its effective reality in the air rescue sector and contributed, in this context, to increasing the prestige of the Air Force”. Emilia-Romagna, 16, 17 and 18 May 2023.
Michele Carenini
