Since last October 1 the general of da Claudio Gabellini has assumed the position of chief of staff (COS) of the Headquarters of the Allied Air Command (AIRCOM) of Ramstein-Miesenbach, Germany. For the first time since its establishment, in the 1974, this important task is covered by an Italian officer at the Allied Air Command. In fact, in NATO, AIRCOM is the only Air Command currently present.
General Gabellini is placed at the head of an articulated and important network of commands dealing with area operations and the defense of NATO airspace. In particular, a staff composed of three brigadier generals (currently of American, French and Turkish nationality) are directly dependent on them and are in turn responsible for the work of about five hundred people. The two Combined Air Operations Centers (CAOC- Combined Air Operation Center), Uedem, Germany, and Torrejon, Spain, in addition to Commandable Center of Control and Aircraft Risererabile (DACCC - Deployable Air Command and Control Center) of Poggio Renatico (FE), complete the structure of NATO Air Command.
General Gabellini, military pilot with more than 2700 flight hours mainly on the aircraft Tornado, gave the change to the major general Erich Siegmann (of the German Air Force) after having commanded, in Milan, the Combat Force Command of the Military Air Force.
The Allied Air Command Ramstein-Miesenbach is responsible for the seamless command and control of NATO's Air Defense and Integrated Missile Defense every day. During periods of tension, Headquarters forms the Joint Force Air Component of the NATO Command Structure in Ramstein-Miesenbach, through which NATO plans and executes the necessary air and space operations.
