The alternation ceremony between the men and women of the 62nd “Sicily” infantry regiment of Catania and the 232nd transmission regiment of Avellino and colleagues of the 32nd tank regiment of Tauriano and of the 2nd broadcasting regiment of Bolzano. Thus, driving the Multinational Battle Group West (MNBG-W), the Italian-led multinational unit operating in the western sector of Kosovo as part of the Kosovo Force (KFOR), Colonel Stefano Imperia takes over from Colonel Giovanni Giagheddu.
During their stay in the Operating Theater, the soldiers of the 62nd “Sicily” infantry regiment carried out 1.111 foot patrols, 3725 observation posts and 1457 motorized patrols, for a total of approximately 172.000 km traveled. During its mandate, MNBG-W also carried out numerous civil-military cooperation projects, aimed at supporting and contributing to improving the living conditions of the local population. There were over 115 meetings with the local civil and religious authorities and around 20 donations of various material including sports clothing, school equipment and IT materials in collaboration with some Italian "donors", thus operating in all 12 municipalities present. in the area.
The transfer of responsibility took place in the presence of the ambassador of Italy in Kosovo, if Piero Cristoforo Sardi, the commander of the Kosovo Force, general of division Giovanni Fungo and of the head of the operational support department of the Interoperable Summit Operations Command (COI), air brigadier general Vittorio Iannotta, as well as numerous civil, military and religious authorities gathered for the occasion.
General Fungo in his speech expressed words of appreciation for the exceptional contribution made to the NATO mission by the MNBG-W and for the professionalism and humanity shown by the Italian military. Colonel Giagheddu thanked his soldiers for the incessant work done and the excellent results obtained in the field.
The banner of the 32nd tank regiment returns for the fourth time to the Balkan territory, after having participated for the first time in the "Joint Guardian" operation in 2000. The tank crews of the brigade Ram they will receive the witness of the mission and will continue to carry out the assigned tasks while maintaining the leadership of the multinational unit which also includes Slovenian, Austrian and Moldovan soldiers among its ranks.
