On Wednesday, July 2, 2020, the change in command of the 4th Wing took place between Brigadier Aerea Urbano Floreani, outgoing commander, and Colonel Eros Zaniboni, incoming commander.
The change of command, chaired by the commander of the combat forces, General of Air Division Francesco Dressed, took place in front of the war flag of the department and with a minimum presence of personnel, in line with the government regulations related to the prevention of the spread of Covid-19.
A significant moment in the history of the 4 ° Stormo that includes among its previous commanders the leaders of the Defense, that is the current Chief of Defense Staff, air team general Enzo Vecciarelli and the current Chief of Staff of the Air Force, air team general Alberto Rosso.
In his speech General Floreani recalled "The history of the department and our past, full of honor and rich in traditions" and how many serving the flag of war "They left us a heavy legacy". Subsequently General Floreani addressed a thought to the men and women of the 4th Wing with whom, in these two years of command, he worked together "Respecting and helping us, spurring us to continue to carry out our mission with commitment, supporting us in managing the difficulties, ready to show us that we are more than just colleagues".
Colonel Eros Zaniboni, in taking command of the department, thanked the superior authorities for the trust placed in him in entrusting him with the prestigious task and his predecessor "For the incomparable work done at the helm of the Flock". "Such results" - he added - "They will be the starting points for a new impetus aimed at strengthening the department's first-order role in ensuring Air Defense and in consolidating the multiple operational capabilities of the F-2000 aircraft".
At the end of the ceremony, the general of air division Francesco Dress, in emphasizing the importance of the activity carried out by the 4th Wing in the defense of the national airspace, thanked General Floreani for the work done and for the brilliant results obtained by all the components of the department. He then sent his best wishes for a good job for the new command experience to the col. Zaniboni, highlighting "The continuous search for improvement from every point of view" to support the operational activity of the 4th Wing which, as highlighted in the intervention, "Has maintained, in maximum safety, high levels of efficiency throughout the lockdown period".
The 4th Wing depends on the air team command through the command combat forces. Ensuring the air defense of the area of national interest, contributing to the control, since peacetime, of the relative airspace and carrying out air defense operations in the assigned areas, as part of the participation in international operations for the prevention and management of the crisis. Specifically, the department is engaged in the alarm service, 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, through the use of the Eurofighter aircraft. The 4 ° Stormo is also responsible for ensuring the operational conversion of the pilots of the Armed Force to be used in the Eurofighter F-2000 line.
