I pay tribute to the War Flags of the Air Force and the 46 ^ AeroBrigata, witnesses of those who, in the name of that Tricolor, sacrificed their lives and those who today honor these flags, working with dedication and discipline in every circumstance.
General PRECIOUS, dear Pasquale, the presence of the Chiefs of Staff of the Army and of the Navy, of the General Commanders of the Carabinieri and of the Guardia di Finanza and of the Secretary General of Defense is the tangible proof of the appreciation towards the Arma Azzurra.
The Air Force is the youngest and most "interforce" Armed Force. Born 91 years ago from the "ribs" of the Army and the Navy, in a few years it was able to gain an undisputed leadership in the 3 ^ dimension, joined by and joined by the aerial components of the other Armed Forces.
Being "interforces" means first of all knowing how to work together, or harmonize the different components of the Military Instrument through a clear and unitary chain of command, respecting the tasks, responsibilities and specificities of each Armed Force. Our differences are our strength!
Every air component, even when it uses the same "machine", has different needs, goals and approaches, precisely because of its specificity of use (strategic and enabling for the long arm for the Air Force). These characteristics must be absolutely preserved and safeguarded.
The Arma Azzurra has been able to gain the esteem and consideration of Italians and international partners "on the field" (or rather in the skies).
An Armed Force of value and values that has always been able to count on the spirit of service, courage and the sense of responsibility of its staff.
Qualities today concretely represented by the military 4 that - soon - will be decorated for their exemplary behavior.
A commitment also recognized by the Italian Red Cross which will today confer the "Gold Medal of Merit" on the 46 War Flag ^ Air Brigade.
The reasons we will hear underline three aspects:
the constant and determined presence of the Air Force in the Operation Theaters;
the contribution of the individual to innovation, with new and “outside the box” solutions, also achieving significant savings in resources. The ability to "question" in a constructive manner the established methodologies and practices;
and finally the "ductility" of the Armed Forces and of the Air Force in particular, which daily ensures the surveillance and security of our skies but which is also committed to supporting the community in emergency humanitarian and health transport operations, as well as in the assistance to populations in the event of risks or public disasters and to the meteorological service.
These three aspects recall, once again, the centrality of human resources.
And it is precisely in this context that I take this opportunity to forcefully ask all institutions, politics, the world of information for a renewed respect and concrete consideration for the Armed Forces, for our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Carabinieri and personnel civil, who daily carry out their work with discipline and dedication, putting aside difficulties and personal hardships, because they believe and respect our Institution.
A respect and a consideration that I am sure belong to the great majority of Italians.
This morning I felt the lady of the cleaning company in the room next to my office humming the song of the Piave ... at 100 years from the 1 ^ GM ... it moved me. This is Italy, these are the Italians who work and love us; to them we owe our silent service.
The Armed Forces are not afraid of having to contribute to the reorganization of public finances; they have been doing so for a long time and more recently, having started an epochal reduction of 50.000 jobs, between military and civilians, in 10 years and increasingly rationalizing structures and spending, reducing the 30% of managers (ie the generals).
No other administration has done it!
But the Armed Forces demand respect for their role and their commitment.
In our military and civilian personnel, he not only looks at his own wallet and the consequent problems of personal and family, but he is proud to be part of an efficient and internationally appreciated organization and to cooperate in confrontation, without shame or fear, with allies far richer than us.
The controversies and the very often instrumental attacks to which we daily and systematically undergo undermine the deepest roots of the cohesion and the motivation of the departments, the foundations and the pillars on which our operations rest.
An operation demonstrated every day, from Afghanistan, to the Mediterranean, to our skies, that the complex and sudden developments of the international situation require even more than in the past.
For this reason I ask for respect - not rhetoric or empty adulation - but information and comparisons, even if turned on, but correct and responsibly oriented towards making the system more efficient.
I ask for our men and women, including the generals, who before being general were for years long young officers and then young leaders, who earned every promotion with their constant and precious commitment.
An example - we have already been reminded by General PREZIOSA - comes from General CALLIGARIS and his young student pilot, Captain LOZZI, recently fallen in training and united by an identical passion for flying, like so many here today.
Of this, as Chief of Staff of the Defense, I will continue to interpret myself, with ever greater determination, because each of our men and women, their motivation, their sense of belonging, to use a term I am accustomed to the current celebration, is the most delicate and precious aircraft of our arsenal.
And in complex moments such as the current one, it is necessary to act resolutely, but to take informed, far-sighted and shared decisions, in the exclusive interest of the Nation, with the awareness of the centrality of the personnel and the importance of the military instrument, which cannot be separated from capacity modern and innovative in which the AM is the protagonist.
Officers, non-commissioned officers, graduates, airmen, civilian personnel of the Air Force; aviators, yesterday and today, to you, to all of you my affection, my gratitude and my commitment to support you always, even on behalf of all the men and women with the stars.
To all of you my deepest appreciation for what you have done and for how much, I am sure, you will continue to do with love and with unchanged enthusiasm ...
... for the Italian Air Force,
for the Armed Forces,
for Italy!
