The ceremony was presided over by Colonel Arturo Di Martino, current commander of the Operation Wing and the Training Wing, as well as Senior National Representative of the Italian contingent in Geilenkirchen, and by Colonel Moerland Marinus, of the Dutch Air Force, current deputy commander of E3 -A Component. Among the military authorities participated some of the SNR (Senior National Representative), or the most senior officers of all the 16 nations present in the components that are part of the alliance. Colonel Di Martino wanted to underline the importance and difficulty of being the commander of a Volo group in a multinational environment such as that of the E3A Component. He then expressed words of great appreciation "for the excellent work done" to outgoing commander Jose Romero, who leaves the squadron after two years of command. 
Lieutenant Colonel Romero has repeatedly thanked the men and women of the Lions family and the E3A Component, for "having worked, in an excellent way, with dedication and tenacity, ensuring the completion of all assigned tasks". Lieutenant Colonel Romero then wanted to underline how his experience as commander of squadron 2 was a very rewarding managerial activity. Lieutenant Colonel Franzese, for his part, said he was proud and proud to take on the prestigious post of commander, "to be ready to face the new" task "entrusted to him, safe and calm because he is aware of the loyalty of the lions". He then recalled the four colleagues and friends of the 6 Stormo, victims of the flight accident of 19 August, with whom he had the opportunity to operate and appreciate their moral and professional qualities, in his previous experience as navigator officer on the Tornado IDS aircraft of 6 Flock of Ghedi.
Source: NAEW & CF E3A Component (Geilenkirchen) - chap. Claudio Scapigliati
