Colonel Antonio Giovanni Villani, after two years of command, left today a large and demanding professional legacy to Colonel Stefano Silvestrini, former Head of the Information and Security Office of the Army Air Force Command.
In his heartfelt farewell address, Colonel Villani, after thanking the civil, military and religious authorities and greeting the Labs of the Combatant Association and of Arms, acknowledged the commitment, dedication, technical and professional preparation that men of the 1 ° "Antares" Regiment they perform daily, succeeding in an exemplary manner in fulfilling the countless institutional commitments.
The "Antares" 1 Regiment is constantly engaged on two fronts. Abroad, it has been actively participating for years in NATO and UN peace support and humanitarian intervention missions. From 1979 "Antares" men and women have been present in Lebanon, Namibia, Kurdistan, Albania, Somalia, Mozambique, Macedonia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan, in support of our Armed Forces and at the service of the international community and of populations in difficulty.
At home, the regiment performs both territorial control activities and resolving disasters in public calamities in favor of the civilian population. In particular, the department was used to respond promptly to the tragic events in Friuli, Val Nerina, Campania, Basilicata, Valtellina , Sicily, Tuscany, Friuli, Umbria, Marche, Piedmont, Val D'Aosta and recently also on the occasion of the earthquake in Abruzzo. Moreover, during the summer period, from June to October, it actively participates with its CH-47 helicopters in the countryside fire protection of the Civil Protection.
At the height of the ceremony, heartily moved, Colonel Villani kissed and ceded Colonel Stefano Silvestrini the banner symbol of values, traditions and that body spirit that have always made the 1 "Antares" regiment worthy of its motto "Primus Nominations, Factisque Fuglentior ". On the occasion of the change at the top of the regiment it is worth noting a curious and unique peculiarity: Colonel Silvestrini, officer of the 169 ° course of the Military Academy of Modena, assumes command of the same regiment that his father commanded well 25 years before.
In his short speech, the incoming commander undertook to continue the work of Colonel Villani, relying on the high professionalism of the staff of "Antares", on the sharing of objectives and the uncommon spirit of service.
Source: Army Aviation Command
