Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone will be the fourth Italian to chair the Military Committee of the Atlantic Alliance, replacing Dutch Admiral Robert Bauer in January 2025.
The appointment was celebrated with great satisfaction and pride by the Minister of Defense who declared in a note: "...a decision that was taken by an overwhelming majority, despite the continuing hostility of some Alliance countries, and which, in any case, testifies to the exceptional profile of the Italian candidacy and the role of Italy in the fundamental support provided to the Atlantic Alliance and in the international scenario. An act and a gesture that recognizes Italy's important, crucial and fundamental role within the Atlantic Alliance [...] I address my most sincere congratulations to Admiral Cavo Dragone who, I am sure , given his many years of experience which is respected by all, will be able to carry out his task with rigor and seriousness".
"Also on behalf of Italy, I am deeply honored to receive this prestigious role which I will carry out with unreserved commitment for the success of the Atlantic Alliance and the affirmation of its founding values, freedom and democracy. NATO is able to offer its full support to Ukraine and the challenges it faces on an international scale.", said Admiral Cavo Dragone.
The change will take place in January 2025, when Admiral Bauer concludes his mandate and Admiral Cavo Dragone will complete the role of Chief of Defense Staff in November 2024.
Giuseppe Cavo Dragone was born in Arquata Scrivia (AL) on 28 February 1957 and entered the Naval Academy in October 1976. At the end of his training he was sent to the US Navy flight schools in Florida and Texas where He obtained his fixed-wing aircraft pilot and helicopter pilot's license. For two years (1991-1993) he was the first commander of the group of aircraft embarked. Subsequently, after a further period of training in the United States, he was assigned to the command of the naval squadron, where he held the position of operations officer.
In September 1996 he was assigned to command the Frigate Euro, based in Taranto and after a year, he returned to command the group of aircraft embarked in Grottaglie (TA). From 27 September 2002 to 16 October 2004 he was the commander of the Aircraft Carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi. From 2005 to 2008 he held the position of commander of the air forces of the Navy and head of the 6th aircraft department of the Navy general staff.
In the three-year period 2008-2011 he was the commander of the grouping divers and raiders of the Navy. He commanded the Naval Academy from 2011 to 2014, the COFS Joint Forces Command for Special Forces Operations (2014-2016) and the then Joint Forces Summit Operational Command (COI). From 2019 to 2021 he held the position of Chief of Staff of the Navy and since 6 November 2021 he has held the position of Chief of Staff of Defense.
