The annual Giornata Azzurra (“The blue day” in English) is the most important airshow in Italy. The 2008 event was held on May 24 and 25 at Pratica di Mare AFB, near Rome. More than 200,000 people saw airplanes from all over Europe celebrate the 85^th anniversary of the Italian Air Force (IAF).

In a tactical demonstration by the IAF, two HH3F helicopters simulated a combat action with Special Forces, while a C-130J landed and transferred its tactical load to two C-27Js. The three airplanes then took off under “enemy fire.” Two Eurofighter Typhoons then kept control of the skies while Tornados and Italian AMXs “bombed the enemy” with the help of pyrotechnic explosions.

Three helicopters all made by Agusta Westland then showed their stuff – the anti-tank A129, the Navy EH101, (which is the helicopter chosen by the USMC as the new Marine One for the Presidential fleet), and the newest NH90 helicopter of the Italian Army.

The “BARONI ROTTI” (Broken Lord) acrobatic team also performed. They are the first acrobatic team in the world with physically handicapped pilots.

The show featured four international aerobatic teams – the Polish “Team Orlik”, the Spanish “Patrulla Aguila”, the French Patrouille de France in their Alphajets, and the civilian Breitling Jet Team flying L-39s.

The demonstrations by the Belgian and Dutch F-16s (complete with smoke and flares), the Hungarian MI24 Helicopter, the new Italian Aermacchi M346 Jet Trainer, and of the fighters of the Italian Test Wing were some of the most impressive flights at this event. We will also not forget displays by the Canadair CL-415 water bomber and by the C-27J cargo plane that, in spite of their size, performed several aerobatic maneuvers. The Italian Navy’s Sea Harrier AV8B+ and a Hungarian MiG 21 were also crowd favorites.

Last but not least was the Italian national jet team, the Frecce Tricolori, performing to write a perfect ending to this wonderful day.