Capodichino

Airfield

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Detailed History

The district of Capodichino – in the area known as "Campo di Marte" – hosted the first flight exhibitions in Naples in 1910. During the First World War, "Campo di Marte" became a military airport in order to defend the town against Austro-Hungarian and German air attacks.[citation needed]

During World War II, it was used as a combat airfield by the United States Army Air Forces and the Royal Air Force extensively during the Italian Campaign. The airfield was first used by RAF No. 324 Wing with its five squadrons of Supermarine Spitfires in 1943. It was then used by the US Twelfth Air Force which stationed the following units at the airport: 79th Fighter Group (January–May 1944, P-40 Warhawk/P-47 Thunderbolt); 47th Bombardment Group (March–April 1944, A-20 Havoc); 33d Fighter Group (April–May 1944, P-40 Warhawk). When the combat units moved out, Air Transport Command used the airport as a major transshipment hub for cargo, transiting aircraft and personnel for the remainder of the war.[5]

Commercial traffic started in 1950. In 1980 GE.S.A.C. ("Gestione Servizi Aeroporto Capodichino") was established to administer the airport; in 1982 it became "Gestione Servizi Aeroporti Campani" and participated in by the City Council, the province of Naples and Alitalia. In 1995 GE.S.A.C. drew up – with BAA assistance – a new master plan, which marked the beginning of a twenty-year development plan. After two years (1997) GE.S.A.C. was the first airport management company in Italy to be privatised: BAA acquires 70% of the share package from the City Council and Province of Naples.[citation needed] In 1998 the "Galleria Napoli" opened, a shopping arcade open 365 days a year inside Terminal 1. In 2002 H.R.H. Prince Charles inaugurated the new departure lounge

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 47th Bomb Group 97th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Gunner / Armament Inspector / Armament Chief
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 47th Bomb Group 84th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Bombardier/Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 47th Bomb Group 97th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 47th Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: 13027977
  • Highest Rank: Technician Fourth Grade
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 47th Bomb Group 97th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 14176693
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Aerial Gunner

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: A-20 Havoc
  • Nicknames: Miss Burma
  • Unit: 47th Bomb Group 85th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: A-20 Havoc
  • Unit: 47th Bomb Group 85th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: A-20 Havoc
  • Unit: 47th Bomb Group 86th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: A-20 Havoc
  • Nicknames: Pauline
  • Unit: 47th Bomb Group 85th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: A-20 Havoc
  • Unit: 84th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

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