The ‘Carona’ Training Centre, formerly known as the Air Force’s ‘63rd FUEL DEPOSIT’ is located in Fornovo, in the province of Parma. Built in the 1930s as a fuel depot to supply the military air fleets of Northern and Central Italy, it consists of five underground reinforced concrete silos, camouflaged by the surrounding forest and connected by 1,500 metres of underground tunnels. Officially inaugurated in 1936, the facility remained operational until 1999 and, after a meticulous restoration process, was transformed into a unique training area, covering an area of 33,000 square metres, 8,000 of which are underground. For training, the Centre offers a wide range of types of environments, including cramped spaces in the underground areas, a mixed technical outdoor course with obstacles, slopes and rough terrain, a 4×4 off-road track and a landing strip approved by the Brigata Paracadutisti Folgore. It also has a Helicopter Landing Zone (Z.A.E.) and a gymnasium. As far as logistic support is concerned, there are two accommodation facilities with services, an outdoor service area, a canteen with kitchen, a briefing room and a medical facility. The entire underground area is equipped with a fibre optic connection and technological systems to monitor the performance of trained personnel, with all systems controlled from a centralised multimedia Operations Room.
