The 2024 Campo Alta Quota restarted from Veneto with a series of important events. The presentation of the scientific results of the 2023 edition, conducted by universities including the University of Milan, took place at Expo-Dolomiti del Lagazuoi. At the same time, an information event sponsored by Fondazione Cortina was held in Cortina, bringing together several leading figures from the military, academic and entrepreneurial worlds.
The Campo Alta Quota Laboratory was the link between the glaciers of Mont Blanc and the Dolomite setting of Cortina d’Ampezzo and Lagazuoi. After the “letters from K2” exhibition at EXPO Dolomiti, the subsequent scientific discussion once again showed Cortina to be a geographical accelerator and a concentration of political, scientific and entrepreneurial interests. Dr. Angelo Mellone, Brigadier General Alessio Cavicchioli, Commander of the Alpine Training Center opened the meeting in Piazza Dibona in Cortina by highlighting the importance of synergy and the role of the Alpine Training Center as a driving force and integration of the Army’s technical/training components with the academic and entrepreneurial world in the field of research and development.
Having laid the foundations for a “methodological” definition connecting military requirements (High Altitude/Arctic), university research (physiology / cognitive neuroscience / environment), politics, thanks to the intervention of Senator and Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Defense Isabella Rauti, and the world of industry (development / experimentation of new materials), the Commander of the Alpine Troops, Division General Michele RISI then highlighted the role of the Alpine troops in experimenting with materials, means and techniques for use in the Arctic environment.
At the end of the debate, Dr. Angelo Mellone invited General Masiello to a geostrategic overview of the position of the Armed Forces as regards innovation and the Arctic. The Army Chief of Staff underlined that: “Conflicts have always stimulated innovation, but today’s changes are unusually rapid and have a disruptive effect, placing greater emphasis on the creation of technology-driven forces. We are already witnessing, and will be even more so in the near future, confrontation dominated by increasingly autonomous weapons systems and powerful algorithms. Preparing for the future,” continued Lieutenant General Masiello, “also means being ready to intervene in any environment. The Arctic region will be at the center of an important strategic competition in the coming years, prefiguring new geopolitical challenges and economic opportunities. The Army has launched a program for the creation of combat capability in the Arctic and sub-Arctic environment, using the experience of the Alpine Troops in mountain combat as a trailblazer for the development of the necessary tactics, leadership, systems and equipment. Like all complex challenges,” concluded the Army Chief of Staff, “that of the Arctic and sub-Arctic requires a systemic approach integrated between country system components and continuous evolution.”
Representing the Ge.S.Di.Mont- UNIMONT Research Center, from the University of Milan, Anna Giorgi, Riccardo Guidetti – DISAA and Antonella Senese – ESP contributed to the discussion with the results of the 2023 Campo Alta Quota and commented on how to plan new research to be conducted together, strengthening the link between scientific research and practical applications in extreme environments.
