After a period of constant and intense commitment, yesterday morning, in the courtyard of honor of the "Oreste Salomone" barracks in Padua, headquarters of the Northern Operational Forces Command (COMFOP Nord), Corps General Paolo Serra left the active service. To take over the reins of the prestigious body, the general of the army corps Amedeo Sperotto.
The handover between the two commanders was made official by the Army Chief of Staff, Army Corps General Salvatore Farina, in the presence of the prefects of Padua and Treviso dott. Renato Franceschelli and dott.ssa Laura Lega, of the mayor of the city of Padua dott. Sergio Giordani, of the magnificent rector of the University of Padua prof. Rosario Rizzuto and many civil, religious and military authorities, including Professor Gold Medal for Military Valor Paola Carnielli Del Din and all the commanders and deans of the dependent departments.
After the intervention of the mayor of Padua, Sergio Giordani, who reiterated the importance of collaboration between the Army and the city, General Serra took the floor expressing gratitude to the men and women of the Armed Forces who, in addition 42 years of service, has been known to transform and evolve constantly to always be adherent to the needs of the country. An Army that, thanks to its values, continues to place the individual, his choices, his courage and his common sense at the center of his being.
Welcomed by a picket of honor from the dependent departments and the fanfare of the "Pozzuolo del Friuli" cavalry brigade, the Army Chief of Staff thanked General Serra, "officer and man, Paolo, his brother in arms" for the seriousness, motivation and ability with which he carried out his work, achieving excellent results, in a complex and articulated command such as COMFOP Nord which, in terms of number, operational responsibilities, quality, is the final expression of the multiple attitudes, skills and diversification use of the Armed Force.
The general of army corps Farina, in remembering the current use of the Army in operations in Italy and abroad, took the opportunity to honor the memory of all the Italian fallen of all conflicts and greetings to all those veterans, who still today, offer their service to the great family of the Army. A family that now, like 100 years ago, is always at the service of Italy and that, with its work, receives an undeserved but perhaps deserved recognition. An Army, he has to point out the head of SME, composed of ordinary citizens with only a few more duties that honors us and makes us responsible.
To date, under the responsibility of General Serra, the operating room of the COMFOP Nord, active 24 hours on 24, has managed the reclamation of about 3000 war devices, in 570 interventions.
In addition, he coordinated the work of seven groups in central and northern Italy for the "Safe Roads" operation which, in the period January-June 2018, led to 79 arrests, 263 complaints and 135 detentions.
The North Operative Forces Command, in particular, covers a large part of the peninsula equal to 152.000 square kilometers, which includes ten administrative regions and sixty two provinces. Besides 16.000 between men and women, every day they contribute timely and high professionalism to the protection of the territory, reconfirming the role of the Army in favor of the country and the national community.
During the ceremony, some awards were also given to the staff who have distinguished themselves in service activities.
The shots fired by the historic artillery piece following the delegation of soldiers from the land artillery regiment "on horseback" sanctioned the end of the celebration.
