In July 2025, our team traveled to the historic San Damiano Air Base in Piacenza for a day dedicated to Italian flight heritage. Situated in the heart of the Emilia-Romagna region along the banks of the “Po”, Italy’s longest river, Piacenza offered a scenic and strategic backdrop for the Fly&Fun event.

A Legacy Reawakened
The choice of San Damiano as a host venue added significant historical weight to the event. For decades, this installation was a cornerstone of Italian air defense, serving as the operational home for the 50ª Brigata Aerea and the 155° Gruppo Caccia. The base’s concrete runways once hosted the legendary F-104 Starfighter and the Panavia Tornado IDS before its official decommissioning in 2016. Returning to these grounds provided a nostalgic atmosphere for both veterans and enthusiasts.

The Static Lineup: Recent Retirees and Modern Icons
The exhibition was particularly noteworthy for its collection of aircraft that had only recently concluded their service lives, offering a “last look” at several Italian workhorses.

Standout recently decommissioned aircraft included:
-AMX “Ghibli” Collection: A trio from the 51st Wing at Istrana, featuring two TAMX-11A trainers (MM55044 and MM55043) and an A-11A (MM7162) adorned in a special “Phase-Out” livery. These airframes officially retired in April 2024.
-Dassault Falcon 50 (MM62029): A long-serving VIP transport from the 31st Wing in Roma Ciampino, which flew its final mission just days before the event on July 17, 2025.
-Agusta-Bell 212AM (MM81160): A veteran of the 9th Wing in Grazzanise, this versatile helicopter served until February 2024.
-Panavia Tornado ECR (MM7051): Appearing in a striking 50th Anniversary commemorative scheme, this 6th Wing (Ghedi) aircraft ended its service on July 18, 2025.

The current strength of the Aeronautica Militare was also represented by a Eurofighter Typhoon EF2000 (MM7264). This active-duty interceptor, operated by the 4th Wing in Grosseto, served as a powerful reminder of Italy’s modern aerial capabilities.

Explore the gallery below for an exclusive look at these historic airframes as they gathered one last time at San Damiano.