The gen. Nicholson honors the Italian military in Afghanistan

(To Staff)
04/06/18

(Kabul) - A large multinational military representation, together with civil authorities - including the Italian ambassador in Afghanistan Roberto Cantone - took part in the 72 ° Anniversary of the Italian Republic Ceremony, at the Resolute Support Mission Headquarters .

On this occasion, the transfer of deliveries was made, in the offices of Deputy Chief of Staff Support and Italian Senior National Representative, between the division general Antonio Bettelli, the transferor, and the division general Massimo Panizzi, who took over.

General John Nicholson, commander of the mission, expressed his gratitude for the support offered incessantly by Italy in Afghanistan for more than 16 years:

"As a commander of the NATO forces in Afghanistan, I wish to express my full gratitude and profound respect for the contribution made by Italy to the Atlantic Alliance. Italy is one of the essential nations for the success of the mission and is present in the 2002. There was a period of the mission in which Italy had over 4000 soldiers engaged in Afghanistan and still its presence is important, being the third contributing country in terms of personnel deployed."

Nicholson then emphasized that Italy, along with the United States, Germany and Turkey, is one of the four pivotal nations in Afghanistan, and has a leading role in one of the country's most important regions, the western area. "If we analyze where the highest indicators of stability and progress are registered, it is precisely in the area of ​​the Command Train, Advise and Assist West; and it is thanks to the Italian leadership and to the Italian commitment in this mission over the years."

"As an American citizen - concluded General Nicholson - I want to tell all my Italian friends that we have not forgotten when, the 11 September 2001, you were immediately close to us. No American will ever forget it! I therefore wish to express my sense of profound gratitude to Italy in the name of the American people."

General Bettelli, in his celebratory speech, wanted to underline his gratitude "to the men and women of the Republic who strenuously defended, until the extreme sacrifice, the democratic spirit of the Italian Constitution", Adding that"among the many silent heroes sacrificed for Italy, a personal thank you and a sense of admiration I dedicate it to the numerous fallen Italian Armed Forces."

General Panizzi has shown, for his part, how the beginning of his service within the Command of the Mission contains an even greater significance, as coinciding precisely with the 2 June, Republic Day.

In underlining the consistent and very effective presence of the Italian contingent in the western area of ​​Afghanistan and the effective long-term cooperation between Italy and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, he concluded by highlighting the pride, for all Italian soldiers, of to be able to serve his country from afar and for such a noble and demanding task as that of supporting the stabilization process of Afghanistan.

At the end of the official speeches a crown was placed in memory of the sacrifice of the 54 soldiers who fell in Afghanistan starting from the 2002.

The Resolute Support mission, which replaced the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) from the 1 January 2015, focuses on training, counseling and assistance in favor of the Afghan army and security forces, and is finalized to the progressive improvement of their level of operation and autonomy. In particular, Italian advisors also provide an important contribution in the field of assistance and advice to Afghan personnel at ministries, command centers and training centers in Kabul. The mission sees the participation of 39 Nations.