More than 75K "black feathers" march in local parade

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Ryan Conroy
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  More than 75,000 Alpini troops marched through the streets of downtown Pordenone, May 11, to commemorate the 87th annual gathering of the mountain soldiers of Italy.

The Italian Alpini Corp was born as a special mountain infantry formation in 1872 by the Ministry of War to be spread out along the arc of the Italian Alps. The detachments were made of mountain men who were hardened by the rigors of the Alpine life, and were familiar with the terrain and dangers of the mountains. Their mission was to act as the first line of defense against invasion. Local recruitment, intense training, and the fellowship spirit among the members allowed the Alpini to reach a superb degree of cohesion and preparedness.

From this type of military life, with its regional recruitment, severity of training, tradition and esprit de corps, the need to unite with fellow veterans in civilian life originated the National Association of Alpini.

The Alpini are widely recognized throughout Italy by their unique green hats accompanied by a single black, white or brown feather distinguishing varying degrees of rank.

Throughout the day, several marching bands played and the Italian aerial acrobatics team, Frecce Tricolore, performed a flyover for the approximate 400,000 individuals in attendance.

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, Italian Defense Minister Roberta Pinotti, and Italian Chief of Defense navy Adm. Luigi Binelli Mantelli as well as Brig. Gen. Jon A. Norman, 31st Fighter Wing commander, were all among those watching from the viewing stand.