The solemn handover ceremony of the 23rd Air Force Engineers' Department took place on Thursday 16 January at the hangar of the 3th Field Engineers' Group in Bari Palese. The event was attended by Brigadier General Stefano Cimichella, head of the 1st Department of the Infrastructure Serviceand the Air Force Logistics Command, as well as numerous military and civilian authorities.
Colonel Antonio Giura, after just over three years of intense and fruitful work, handed over command to Colonel Andrea Emiliozzi. In his farewell speech, Colonel Giura expressed deep gratitude to the department's personnel, underlining the commitment and professionalism demonstrated in carrying out often complex and delicate tasks. He also highlighted the importance of the department's work in the infrastructure and projection logistics sector, recognizing the fundamental role of this unit within the Italian Air Force.
Colonel Emiliozzi, in his inaugural speech, thanked the leaders for the trust placed in him and expressed his firm will to continue the work begun by his predecessor, enhancing the precious human and professional heritage of the department. The new commander underlined the importance of facing future challenges with determination and team spirit.
General Cimichella, in his speech, praised the work done by Colonel Giura, highlighting the excellence of the results achieved during his mandate, especially during important events, such as the G7 in Fasano. Addressing Colonel Emiliozzi, he expressed full confidence in his abilities, underlining the importance of maintaining high staff motivation and enhancing the professionalism present in the department.
The 3rd AM engineering unit, awarded with honors, such as the Bronze Medal for Aeronautical Merit and the “ICARO 2018” Plaque of Merit, finalizes studies, designs, contracts and execution of works necessary to ensure the availability and efficiency of the infrastructures used by the Air Force and NATO. Through the dependent 16th field engineering group and the detached technical services infrastructures, it supervises the construction and extraordinary maintenance of all airport infrastructures and technological systems, both through a company and with its own men and means, in support of the AM flight departments of southern Italy, including Sicily. Furthermore, in the inter-force context, it contributes, with its own personnel and means, to the creation of mobile infrastructural operational support components, both nationally and outside national borders, in compliance with the commitments deriving from international agreements, also providing the contribution, where requested, to the Civil Protection in the event of natural disasters.
