The handover ceremony of command of the AM Volunteer School (SVAM) of Taranto took place on Tuesday 26 September between Colonel Claudio Castellano and the incoming commander Colonel Alessandro Del Buono, coming from the cabinet of the Minister of Defence.
The event was chaired by air team general Silvano Frigerio, commander of the AM/3 schools commanda ra in the presence of the civil, religious and military authorities of the territory and of the fighting and weapons associations of the city.
The ceremony, concomitant with the celebration of the state funeral of the President Emeritus of the Republic, Giorgio Napolitano, took place in compliance with the national day of mourning declared for his passing.
Colonel Claudio Castellano, after greeting the attendees, addressed those present: “With deep emotion I am preparing to hand over the position of commander of the AM Volunteer School
I did my best to honor the commitment entrusted to me by basing my command action in the name of continuity but also innovation in order to keep the School in step with the times and to enhance every moment of the airmen's training path. I thank all the staff of the School, for always knowing how to be a cohesive and effective team, constantly highlighting deep attachment to the aeronautical traditions and history of the Institute".
After the symbolic passing of the Institute Flag between the hands of the two commanders, Colonel Alessandro Del Buono intervened and declared in his inauguration speech: “It is with pride and extreme pride that I am preparing to take on the role of commander of the Air Force Volunteer School today” – he then continued – “our task is not limited to the sole transmission of professional knowledge and skills but also and above all, to the transfer of those values, at the basis of the 100 years of history of the Arma Azzurra, more essential than ever to build full awareness in our graduates of their role in military and civil society" and finally he concluded by wishing all the staff "good luck" in facing the challenges together and seizing the opportunities that the future holds.
The event ended with the intervention of General Frigerio, who after greeting the authorities and guests present, having underlined the strong bond that unites the Air Force to the city of the two seas and its splendid territory, addressed the with the. Del Buono, “In the immediate future there are important projects to be implemented for the School, with the aim of providing our volunteers with the knowledge and skills that will allow them to make a valuable contribution to the operational departments of assignment, I am sure that with your team you will be able to do well, making use of all the expertise and professionalism that distinguish you".
Finally, he wanted to dedicate a few words to the young students present, “I take this opportunity to invite you to make a constant individual investment in training, aimed at profiting from the teachings received, from every opportunity offered and from the tools made available to you, because the true protagonists of training, the builders of your future – whatever it may be it will be – it's really you. Make your own that heritage of values, history and traditions that have always distinguished the men and women of the Air Force and which can be breathed in the air in this School. You constitute the raison d'être of this School".
The SVAM is the only national education and training center that provides the basic military and moral training of troops destined to serve in the Air Force, as well as the related specific professional education. The School depends on the schools command of the AM/3rd air region, one of the three top commands of the Armed Forces which has the task of ensuring the selection, recruitment, military, cultural and professional training of Air Force personnel and the flight training (internationally), through the study and adoption of innovative teaching and training methodologies focused on the learner and based on innovation, creativity, optimization of human and material resources, eco-sustainability, constant comparison with institutions and the territory serving the community.
