The change of command of the 14th wing took place today at the Pratica di Mare Airport, between Colonel Giuseppe Addesa outgoing commander and Colonel Federico Merola incoming commander.
The ceremony, although held in small ranks and in full compliance with the precautionary measures imposed by the health emergency linked to Covid-19, was presided over by the commander of the Support and Special Forces, Air Division General Achille Cazzaniga.
Colonel Addesa leaves his post after two intense years marked by the emergency linked to COVID-19, in which the 14th flock was engaged on the front line. In fact, with a KC-767A of the flock, on February 2nd, the first repatriation mission of the compatriots who were in the city of Wuhan (China) was carried out. In his farewell speech, the outgoing commander wanted to underline, addressing his men as starting from the aforementioned first flight: "While Italy soon began the well-known lockdown phase, you increased the already impressive operational activity [...] by choosing the best solution to problems never faced before".
Colonel Merola in his introductory speech also addressed the women and men of the 14th flock: "for my previous positions in the field of communication I had the fortune and the privilege of [...] giving a voice to your companies and making your value known [...] a work supported by the extraordinary efforts made during this period of national health emergency it saw you as protagonists of very important activities for the health of our country [...]. I am proud to be part of this family, to have inherited a department made up of extraordinary and determined people who love their work and who know how to work as a team ".
Air Major General Achille Cazzaniga in his closing speech, congratulated Colonel Addesa: “You did an excellent job. A demanding assignment awaits you that will allow you to make your skills available to the Armed Force ". Then turning to the new commander "You will be called upon to make important decisions in a moment of strategic importance for the country during which the Armed Force will be called upon to make its contribution". Finally he addressed the staff of the 14th wing "The great responsibility of fulfilling your task and assigned mission is our reason for living [...] I tell you, be proud of what you have done in these two years and how you have done it, because we are proud and proud of you".
