Antarctic Activity Week operation

Gianni, I1HYW, reports that II0METEO will be operating
during the 7th Antarctic Activity Week (February 22-28th) from the Italian Air Force Base 'Mario De Bernardi' located at Pratica di Mare near Rome.

He states, "This is the greatest Italian military airport and the second Base in Europe for largeness. It is a Center of several IAF units, amongst which we cite the most important ones: Experimental Flight Unit (with 311th Flight Group), 14th Flock (with 8th and 71st Flight Groups) and 15th CSAR Flock (combat SAR).

"On the same IAF Base stands the National Center of METEOROLOGY and AERONAUTICAL CLIMATOLOGY (CNMCA). The weather station of Pratica di Mare is the main reference unit for the IAF Meteorological service and for World-wide Meteorological Organization; and is therefore, the site from where Meteorologists are studying and acquiring practice
to leave for Antarctica during the Italian Research expeditions at MZS Station.

"Thanks to the General Staff of the IAF Gen. BA Daniele Tei, to Col. Costante De Simone Commander of CNMCA and the Official Commanders of Pratica di Mare AFB who granted permission and support.

"A group of referenced Italian Hams representing WAP-Worldwide Antarctic Program (www.waponline.it), will operate from inside the Base during the 7th AAW using a special callsign II0METEO (WAP-190) just issued by the Ministry of Communications.

"Operators will be: Carlo IK2IWU, Gianni I1HYW, Marcello
IW2MNO, Lorenzo IK1MDF, Gian-Luigi IZ8EWB and Maurizio IK5DEZ.

QSL via IK2IWU."

OPDX