"Choose, train and inspire master commanders and practitioners, determined to serve our country with excellence and dedication". This sentence contains the mission of the Aeronautical Academy, one of the excellences of Italy based in Pozzuoli. And right here, in the Neapolitan town, the commander's alternation ceremony took place yesterday, between the air division general Nicola Lanza de Cristoforis and the air brigadier general Enrico Degni.
The Aeronautical Academy, a military institute of university higher education that has the task of providing for recruiting and training young people who aspire to become officers in actual standing service. They addressed Commander Lanza de Cristoforis: "Keep your heart and mind open to team up and strengthen who deserves, giving more attention and value if you are responsible for it as superior". An intense and significant experience that lived in the Academy and that clearly transpires in the words of the general: "Transmitting to young people the heritage of values in which the Armed Force is recognized was the most ambitious but also the most rewarding and enriching challenge that I will take with me, because these young people rely on us to become exemplary commanders and professionals and the qualities that emerge, that are released in the first months are an experience that pays off all the staff who work here. An extraordinary force, very rich, disciplined and creative, which originates in their cohesion and in the trials they have to face. Observing them with the eyes of a citizen, I look to the future with greater optimism".
A future, that of the young students, which is now entrusted to General Degni who returns to Pozzuoli after about 30 years (then young subordinate of the Dragon IV Course) as 40 ° Commander and who said:There is no doubt that today's officer differs from yesterday's, however, the spiritual and motivational aspect remains largely unchanged. Today, as a youth, in fact, the young man who chooses his military career must be supported by a set of guiding principles and basic values that allow him to overcome all the discomforts, risks and difficulties that characterize military life. On the basis of these principles, an ethical conscience must be developed that together with competence and passion allow us to reach the levels of excellence we all aspire and that the Armed Forces awaits. I therefore ask for frequent attendance to fully exploit and value the offered training opportunity. For me, I assure you of the same commitment to continue to offer you the best training possible to face the complex challenges that await you. "
Present at the ceremony was the commander of the Air Force schools, 3ª Region Aerea, general of the air force team Fernando Giancotti, who honored the Flag of the Institute:Precisely with this Flag I have a deep bond as it happens for all commanders: it has been beside me, in my office, daily companion for the intense, exciting years in which I myself commanded this Institute. It is well aware of the commitment of command intended as service, the great challenge of change, the hardness of decisions that affect people's lives, even if necessary for the good of all. It knows the extraordinary wealth witnessed by our personnel of all grades and roles, military and civilian. It is no coincidence that the Flag is so honored and at the center of this passing ceremony: it is at the same time an extraordinary symbol and witness of the fundamental and delicate function of command ”.
Addressing General Lanza de Cristoforis, he praised the work he has done for the commitment and the great competence, consolidating the many new dimensions of innovation and guaranteeing a careful and forward-thinking action that has made a significant contribution to the training project of the Aeronautical Academy. Training that will now continue with General Degni, chosen for his skills of seriousness, balance, professional competence and commitment.
