Brief history of a glorious past
Military aerobatics as a group began in Campoformido, home of the 1st Wing, by the end of the 1920s. Chief Commander, Col. Rino Corso Fougier, was the pioneer in aerobatic group flying in Italy. He persuaded the General Staff of the former Royal Air Force that a perfect military pilot could fly most efficiently in combat only if mastering his aircraft and knowing deeply all its features, reacting with sensitivity and full control at all times in any attitude of flight. Since then, many Fighter Wings have given birth to training or demonstration teams for the most important shows in Italy and abroad. The Italian Air Force General Staff decided to give different Fighter Wings in turn the task to form an aerobatic team: many of us still recall names like “Cavallino Rampante” (Rampant Horse), “Getti Tonanti” (Thunder Jets), “Diavoli Rossi” (Red Devils), and “Lanceri Neri” (Black Lancers), names that have become a legend. Each of these teams was made up of different aeroplanes because it had to use the aircraft its squadron was equipped with.
In 1961 the Air Force General Staff decided to form a single aerobatic team with the best men available. The 313th Aerobatic Training Squadron “Frecce Tricolori” (three-coloured arrows) was established in Rivolto, in the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, under the experienced leadership of Major Mario Squarcina. Today a team of nine aircraft and a solo form the most numerous aerobatics team in the world, also regarded as one of the most prestigious ones. Since the beginning, the Frecce Tricolori have been welcomed by the generous people of Friuli as a part of their world. These people still join all the successful shows with pride, offering their constant unconditioned support.
Flying together
The Frecce Tricolori are the most numerous (ten MB339 aircraft) aerobatics team in the world. They fly an air show that is the result of a strong aerobatics tradition.
All throughout the show, each aircraft is well in sight of the public, so that every participant, however new to the show, can perceive the spectacular and harmonious manoeuvres performed by this wing of the Italian Air Force and also have the opportunity to enjoy the high professional and technical profile of the entire show.
The emotions coming from all Frecce Tricolori Team’s performances are reflected in the friendship and love expressed by all their fans, organized into Frecce Tricolori Fan Clubs all over the world, as well as in the presence of a constantly wide public at the shows.
The same friendship and love are shown by the Frecce Tricolori, which keep a close relation with the public and all bodies of administration; these are also the feelings shared with the other aerobatics teams, beyond any meaningless competition.
The Pilots
Every year one or two new pilots are assigned to the Frecce Tricolori Team. They are chosen among the most experienced fighter jet pilots of the Air Force.
After the last show of the season, the training pilots begin flying with all the other pilots who might as well have changed their role in the team, starting a new training season under the supervision of more experienced pilots.
During the winter months all the pilots both do aerobatic training and achieve and maintain their combat readiness in operations of air support to ground attacks.
Under its Commander's guidance, the team is ready to perform in a new aerobatic show season by the beginning of May.
Photo by Katsuhiko Tokunaga
