Feb. 20 – From today to February 25, Pointe Noire, in Congo, hosts the mission of the 30th Naval Group of the Italian Navy to promote Italian excellence in Africa and the Middle East with the Cavour, the Fregata Bergamini and the Etna. The mission was launched in November and touches 18 different countries in 5 months, with 1,200 committed soldiers. The mission circumnavigates the Arabian Peninsula and African continent to bring humanitarian activities, aimed at children and young people most in need, and promote Italy’s manufacturing excellence. On board the Cavour, there are volunteers from the Italian Red Cross and the NGO “Operation Smile Italy,” which , with its South African partner, offers free surgeries for children born with malformations. The Fondazione Francesca Rava is also on board, organizing ophthalmologic and optometric visits to combat preventable blindness. The naval campaign is a unique opportunity for the public to visit the Italian ships and see some of the finest examples of Italian design and decor, technology, and engineering and defense solutions. The operation sees the participation of Finmeccanica, Beretta Federlegno and Pirelli. During the mission, the Navy is also carrying out training programs for the local nautical forces engaged in counter-piracy activities. The next stop, scheduled from 28 February to March 4, is in Lagos, Nigeria. The mission will then move to Ghana, Guinea and Morocco to return to Taranto on April 3.
