On December 26 last, at the Mosul Dam base, the alternation ceremony of the commander of the Task Force took place Praesidium.
The infantrymen of the 82nd “Torino” infantry regiment, after about 6 months of operational activity, leave the responsibility of protecting the Mosul dam to the paratroopers of the 187th “Folgore” paratrooper regiment. Lieutenant Colonel Luca Carbonetti has been replaced by Lieutenant Colonel Vincenzo Leone, commander of the 187th Regiment battalion, in the command of the Praesidium Task Force.
The ceremony, presided over by Brigadier General Nicola Terzano, commander of the National Contingent and director of training of the Coalition in Iraq, was attended by the Ambassador of Italy to Iraq, His Excellency Bruno Antonio Pasquino and all the main civil and military authorities of the Ninewa province.
Before the authorities, a deployment of the mission in Iraq made up of infantry from the 82nd and paratroopers from the 187th. Between the two departments of the Italian Army, an American platoon, recently placed under the command of the "Praesidium" Task Force, the Iraqi anti-terrorism forces and a representation of the Iraqi police with whom the infantrymen of the "Turin" cooperated side by side in the management of the integrated defense system of the dam area, a critical infrastructure and site of strategic interest for Iraq.
The ambassador in his speech thanked the men and women of the "Praesidium" Task Force, the American coalition forces and the members of the local security forces for the delicate task carried out in Iraq, in support of the Italian company TREVI and the body of the engineers of the American Army.
General Terzano, after thanking all the guests for their presence, addressing the deployed units addressed his first thoughts to the Iraqi and Coalition soldiers who fell in the fight against the so-called Islamic state so that Iraq can return to being a nation to live in. in peace and prosperity. "I would like to thank all these brothers in arms" - said the Italian general. The commander of the National Contingent expressed his gratitude to the men and women of the 82nd Infantry Regiment "TORINO" for the professionalism lavished in carrying out the service in favor of Italy. In addition, the senior officer declared himself convinced that the paratroopers of the 187th regiment thunderbolt they will be able to fulfill their duty in the wake of the great traditions of the Italian Army. "Each of you represents the hope of men, women, children and families of a nation that wishes to live in security, peace and prosperity" - concluded General Terzano.
The “Praesidium” Task Force, as part of the “Inherent Resolve - Prima Parthica” operation, is the unit of the Italian Armed Forces responsible for protecting the Mosul dam in coordination with the local security forces. In addition to ensuring the defense of the dam, the “Praesidium” Task Force guarantees the safety of American military and civilian personnel and of the TREVI company workers engaged in infrastructure rehabilitation.
The men and women in uniform of the mission in Iraq have been able to win thanks to their work, the trust and respect in the Iraqi civil and military institutions and have played, from 2016 to today, an essential function for the stabilization of Iraq. confirming the professionalism of the Italian Armed Forces, a resource available to the country, always ready to operate quickly and efficiently in any context, both abroad and at home.
