Visit of the Defense CSM to the 30 ° GN parked in Cape Town

07/02/14

The Chief of Defense Staff, Admiral Luigi Binelli Mantelli, visiting South Africa on the occasion of a stop in the Cape Town port, from 5 to February 10, of the 30 Naval Group met yesterday morning in Pretoria, at the General Staff of the South African Defense, its general counterpart Solly, Zacharia Shoke.

During the meeting, the prospect of bilateral cooperation and the operational commitments abroad of the respective Armed Forces were mainly discussed. In this regard, the considerable importance of the contribution to International Security that the respective countries are ensuring through unilateral participation or in the context of multinational coalitions in the various crisis areas was highlighted.

In the same morning, the Chief of the SMD, accompanied by the President of the Zonderwater Block Former Prisoners of War, Ing. Emilio Coccia, paid tribute to the 252 Italian prisoners of the Second World War who lost their lives during the years of imprisonment and who are buried in the Military Cemetery of Zonderwater, on the outskirts of Pretoria.

After joining the Naval Group in Cape Town, Admiral Binelli Mantelli visited the units of the 30th Naval Group, and met their respective crews. Addressing the men and women of Nave "Cavour", the Frigate "Bergamini" and the Logistics Ship "Etna", as well as the staff of the numerous companies and national humanitarian organizations that are taking part in the campaign, the Head of SMD expressed his own satisfaction for the excellent attendance and training results achieved so far.

 “Regardless of the position and responsibilities of each one, thanks to the daily commitment, the great professionalism and the very high sense of responsibility and discipline, you all best represent our country abroad. You are the best standard-bearers of Italy and its Armed Forces and the most reliable witnesses of the excellence of our Nation. I am proud for what you do every day and for the unconditional dedication to your job ”.

During the visit, Admiral Binelli Mantelli spoke with South African children operated on board the "Cavour" by surgeons of the "Operation Smile" non-profit organization and others visited on board the "Etna" ship by the doctors of the Francesca Rava Foundation.

Source: Military Navy