"The crew of a submarine: a unique, unrepeatable microcosm. The unusual, uncomfortable environmental conditions and the specific operational characteristics of the vehicle require everyone, without distinction, great discipline, preparation, a spirit of sacrifice, a high sense of responsibility, ability to adapt and mutual respect. A certainly extraordinary 'world' that moves and operates in the highest sign of religion of duty "(Admiral Giuseppe Arena, Dean of the Italian Submarinists).
In the command change ceremony at the Submarine Flotilla, in the presence of the commander of the Submarinists, Division Admiral Dario Giacomin, the commander of the Flottiglia, cv Stefano Russo, in his speech, tells of Admiral Arena as: "Witness and guardian of the ancient traditions of submariners. And his closeness to the Command was affectionate and full of inspiration ".
The submariners are not only an elite unit of the Navy, they are a fundamental component, rich in a historical tradition that abounds in human and professional values that make it an expression of absolute excellence at national level.
And there is no lack of thanks for the men and women of Comflotsom, who in two years of command of the cv Russo, have allowed us to achieve satisfactions and gratifications, making significant progress. A reference also to the technical logistics service, which is able to carry out complex maintenance and repairs on the submarines, both those ready and the boats parked for maintenance.
The presence of the submarine Todaro, moored in the quay facing the Submarine School inside the naval base Great Sea in Taranto, testifies to the objectives achieved in the established terms. The loading of the boat was carried out in record time in August to ensure the efficiency of the boat and make it available and ready for any trips at sea. In command of the cv Russo, also the School Sommergibilisti, by now consolidated, is a center of excellence in the field of underwater acoustics, for the benefit of all the operators of the naval team and of the Intelligence Center, ensuring quality training in port and at sea, always based on the search for continuous improvement. To ensure, also, constantly a high level of professionalism indispensable to make the most of a complex and technologically advanced machine, which is the submarine. The results obtained are the result of teamwork, of a passionate and profuse commitment of men and women: officers, non-commissioned officers, graduates and troops who know how to interpret and achieve the assigned objectives.
The commander of the cv Russo flotilla praised his submariners because besides being professionals with technical and professional skills, they are able to put in place moral qualities of absolute level. An ethical professional combination that allows you to successfully complete the missions assigned to boats. Particular mention for the commanders and crews of the submarines. In fact, using a soccer parallelism he defines them as "the attackers who score goals" made during 28.000 hours of motion and more than 100.000 miles traveled almost entirely developed in real activity with high operational value. Some of these goals, often the referee (understood as public opinion) does not see them, for reasons of confidentiality. So much the commotion of the Russian commander in thanking the families of the crews and his family, for the daily support, the infinite understanding, the continuous support and for having endured the absences when at sea.
In the ceremony of the handover of the Flotilla Command from the cv Stefano Russo to the cv Giorgio Cossiga, new commander of the Submarine Flotation Command, essential the intervention of the commander of the submariners, Admiral of Squad Dario Giacomin.
In these two years a contribution has been added to the consolidation of the Component, as it is more efficient, agile, effective and projected into the future. Among the essential events, important was the delivery to the Navy by the national industry, and the entry into the 2 submarines of the 2 ° U-212A series, an important milestone in terms of visibility, training and training of the staff. The submarines Venuti and Romei are vehicles that already in the first months of employment have given a contribution with their high technological level for the defense and security of our coasts and the Mediterranean Sea. Behind every aeronautical operation, of which we hear about in the media, there is the silent and discreet contribution of a submarine. There have been numerous surveillance operations in the Mediterranean Sea: from Mare Nostrum (with a strong contribution from Intelligence, of evidence that led to the arrest of smugglers) a Safe Sea until recently EUNAVFOR MED. The submarines for their Intelligence capacity, in fact, are a point of reference, far from the spotlight, both for Italian justice and with reflections of use also for the European Community.
Currently the Navy can count on 8 submarines online, (4 of the class Sauro and 4 of the Class Todaro): a highly specialized component at a strategic level. With the leadership of the Russian commander, good operational results were achieved, with strong determination and focused organizational skills, setting an example for force provider pragmatic and effective. High operational standards also achieved in operational security terms at national and international level. And it is important from this point of view to adapt and train the staff continuously, also with the new technical apparatuses and to dedicate themselves profitably to the training. There are numerous activities that the Flotilla Command has carried out over the past two years and in particular the training activity of control by land and by sea in addition to the two sessions of the Command Course for Underwater Units. The latter are an innovation that aligns the Component with the training standards of international diving units: a training step necessary for an officer who aspires to Command role and whose results will be seen in the future. Admiral Giacomin insists on promoting it Submarinist component will continue to create new "vocations" towards this profession. The role of the "older" staff, who has already worked hard to conduct the business, will be to forge new entries.
We must not forget what makes submariners unique and that is at the base of a strong and cohesive sense of belonging: every member of the crew trusts for his own safety and the boat, on the sense of responsibility of his companions. This trust is not blind, it is not based only on hierarchical respect: it feeds on the conquest day by day by all crew members without distinction, including the commander. The latter, above all, must earn concrete trust by trusting in the professionalism of each individual member of the crew. The aspect of professional competence is fundamental and goes beyond any other link both hierarchical and human: you need to be reliable if you choose to be operating on a boat. Those who must transmit these values to future submariners is the oldest submariner who must focus training on the fact that the greatest and lasting satisfaction comes from something that has been achieved with commitment and effort. This kind of satisfaction is exciting, impalpable and unforgettable.
Last but not least for this aspect on which to dwell in the speech of Admiral Giacomin, is the commitment of the Submersible Component which concerns the replacement of the class boats Sauro. Necessary to ensure the defense in short terms and have a ready and efficient diver tool for current and future operational scenarios.
The geopolitical dynamics of the Mediterranean are of crucial importance both for Italy, which in this geographical context occupies the central position, and for the European Union and the entire international community. The "enlarged Mediterranean" is a point of continuity between the West and the Indian Ocean maritime theater in the East. And it is in this context that tensions occur that result in protests and revolts, and that redefine the internal balances of some nations. Furthermore we are witnessing the fragmentation of the central authorities, there is a continuous outbreak of feuds that are fertile ground for Islamic terrorism, for example Libya and Syria. This scenario requires the deployment of naval forces in the area, with Italy at the forefront, with an uncomplicated management on the scenario for unpredictable developments. The use of all aeronautical units including underwater units is peculiar to this type of operation. It is no coincidence that the activity carried out by Italian submarines in recent times confirms a functional evolution from the point of view of Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, as an essential contribution to all illegal trafficking and counter-terrorism. Also fundamental is the contribution that the Navy provides with the cooperation between the submarines of the class Sauro e Todaro and the staff of the San Marco marine brigade with the exercises carried out for some years now, in which the boats provide for the release of teams in charge of reconnaissance of coastal stretches. Earthing is provided by amphibious units. This type of training is also aimed at creating and consolidating interoperability between the specialized departments of the Navy in view of the complex developments of the latest geopolitical scenarios.
Admiral Giacomin also underlines the importance of ensuring adequate maritime security for our country given that a large part of the economy is based on maritime trade, deeply immersed in the Mediterranean where the balances are rapidly changing.
Submarines, not only a military tool, due to their technological specificity involve, in addition to the national industry, many areas of research in their design (for example, fuel cells using hydrogen and oxygen) to allow their adaptation at an international level .
La Submersible Component, is characterized by submariners endowed with professional competence, discipline, seriousness, sobriety, tenacity, patience, pride, dedication and spirit of sacrifice. Concrete values that belong to every submariner. Characteristics that also distinguish the Russian cv and that Admiral Giacomin, also for the tangible results obtained at the Comflotsom, selected him as chief of staff of MARICOSOMM - CINCNAV in Rome, where he will personally take care of the operations at sea and where he will put to good use the experiences and his competences matured above all "beating the wave" on board of the underwater units.
(photo of the author)
