The ceremony of rotation at the top of the Air Force with the team general Pasquale Preziosa took place at the Ciampino airport (Rome), in the presence of Defense Minister, Senator Roberta Pinotti, and of the Chief of Defense Staff , general Claudio Graziano.
The event was attended by military leaders and numerous political, civil and religious authorities.
"Today I leave the leadership of the Armed Force." Began General Preziosa. "Time to take stock: not for the three years as chief of staff, but for the 45 years spent as a pilot and as a military man with the Tricolor on his arm. In forty years the boundaries of security have ceased to coincide with physical, geographical ones. This new challenge coincided with a period of budgetary constraints. And the Air Force had to identify suitable solutions to guarantee the same level of safety even in the presence of minor resources. We have succeeded and will continue to do so. [...] today I can say that I leave an Air Force ready for the future. In the name of continuity, the Air Force has achieved important milestones such as commitments at the European Air Transport Command and at the European Personnel Recovery Center. We went to Europe with the EATC and Europe came to us with the EPRC. "
General Preziosa then wanted to recall the words that the head of state addressed to the Armed Forces, defining the Air Force as a source of pride for the country, as well as the astronauts, a true "pride" for Italy. "Reinforcing concepts of those pronounced on the occasion of the 55 anniversary of the acrobatic patrol" - continued the general - "where he mentioned synergistic teamwork to achieve concrete results. Thanks to the Air Force for what you gave me. To the staff I say that I am proud to have been your commander. Thanks to each of you: I have a certainty, I gave the country everything I had ".
The aerial team general Enzo Vecciarelli in assuming the command of the Armed Forces expressed feelings of sincere gratitude and gratitude and wanted to emphasize that the Air Force is "a solid team of women and men of absolute value who can standardize and identify the their own way of life in "serving the State before themselves", giving value to the country in every activity, eager to be a reference and a source of pride for every Italian citizen. "
"The defense of the national air space, together with the security of our fellow citizens" - continued General Vecciarelli - "will remain the cornerstone of our activities, together with the inescapable need to give continuity to the operations in progress and without ever missing the necessary support moral and material to the staff who have been working together with the other Armed Forces, outside the borders of the State. "
Still Vecciarelli concluded by stressing that "the Aeronautics will continue to be more and more effectively integrated into the 'Italian system', capable of performing its tasks well and fulfilling the legislative mandate and governmental directives with responsible and conscious participation in achieving all the objectives national. "
The Chief of Staff of the Defense during his speech, after thanking General Preziosa for what he had done during his mandate and addressing General Vecciarelli with the best wishes for his new position, stressed that "the Air Force, a key component for the security of the nation, it has proved to be a synergistic element within the country system. What matters most - continued General Graziano - is the professional commitment to the security of the country and to the safety of citizens, at the cost of personal sacrifice. "
“Enthusiasm, ability and professionalism are qualities that characterize all members of the Arma Azzurra thanks to which it was possible to face new and demanding challenges. The gratitude of the great family goes to the Air Force with the stars that I have the privilege of representing ”. General Graziano, in underlining the merits of the reorganization of the Armed Forces, concluded by affirming that "today nothing stands in the way of the implementation of the White Paper."
In his speech, Minister Pinotti, in recalling the 45 career years of General Preziosa, emphasized that the past "was not an easy time but you went through it with determination, commitment and a lot of energy."
The minister congratulated the general on the work done by the Air Force, which is involved in many fields, and expressed his best wishes to the new chief general Vecciarelli - former Deputy Chief of Defense Staff - stressing that "we must not be under any illusions because I fear that your period of command will not be the easiest and most peaceful, but we are sure that you will be up to the challenge. I have seen her work in many roles, she does it with a team spirit and I liked her call for inclusive participatory leadership ”. The minister also wanted to underline the ability of the Dicastery and the Armed Forces to self-reform first with the Di Paola reform and then with the White Paper which is already redesigning the new military organization today. Leaner, faster, more modern. More in tune with the country.
Previously, at the Palazzo dell'Aeronautica, the incoming and outgoing chiefs of staff signed, as is tradition, the honor roll. The military pilot eagle of Italo Balbo with various historical relics and with the State of Service of the Flag of War was handed over to the new Chief of Staff. Finally, General Preziosa received from the general Vecciarelli the Crest in silver and a bound copy of his State of Service.
Online Defense would like to thank General Preziosa for what he has proved to be in the years spent "together": an extraordinary communicator capable of facing any question without hesitation. Certainly the innate quickness of spirit helped him.
At the same time, he wishes General Vecciarelli good work. The clouds on the horizon could soon require unprecedented (for Italy) temper and initiative. At the end of the meeting with the press, he told us that we will soon have the opportunity to meet him for an interview ...
