Change at the top of the Ground Operational Support Forces

(To Army Majority State)
18/09/20

The alternation ceremony at the top of the groups took place today in the Auditorium of the Palazzo della Gran Guardia, in the presence of the Army Chief of Staff, General Salvatore Farina. Support Terrestrial Operating Forces between the general of the army corps Giuseppenicola Tota and the parigrade Massimo Scala.
The handover, which took place in compliance with the social distancing measures provided for by the regulations in force, was made official in the presence of the commanders placed directly under the Support COMFOTER.

The highest civil, military and religious authorities of the Scaligero capital were present at the ceremony, including the mayor of the city, lawyer Federico Sboarina, the prefect of Verona, dr. Donato Cafagna, the president of the province of Verona, dr. Manuel Scalzotto, the vice president of the Veneto regional council, Massimo Giorgetti and the army corps generals Roberto Perretti and Enzo Bernardini, respectively commanders of the NORTH Operational Forces of the Italian Army and of Vittorio Veneto interregional command of the Carabinieri, who wanted to extend a sincere and affectionate greeting to General Tota and to welcome General Scala.

The Army Chief of Staff in the course of his speech thanked the outgoing commander for the professionalism, the high sense of duty, the example and the motivation with which he carried out the task, then highlighting how "the spirit of cohesion and continuity, team play and participatory discipline have allowed Ground Support Forces to fully perform the tasks and respond with professionalism and immediacy to emergencies. Values ​​that we cultivate in the Army by example, dialogue and continuous training, in the conviction of doing “more together” with the other institutions of our country and with all fellow citizens ”.

General Tota wanted to mark his speech by pointing out the values ​​that distinguish a soldier and, in particular, a commander, after having greeted the 26 War and Institute Flags of the commands dependent on the Support Terrestrial Operating Forces whose photos scrolled across the big screen, along with unit commanders, he pointed out "They represent the symbols that remind us of the sacrifice of our fathers and encourage us to do our duty". Finally, to his colleague and friend Massimo Scala he wished a period of command full of satisfaction.

General Giuseppenicola Tota, in just over two years of command, in addition to having established a deep and intense bond with the city of Verona, coordinated the departments of the Engineers involved in the "Sabina" operation, launched following the earthquake of the August 2016, the preparation and preparation of the units of Ground Support Forces engaged in operations in Kosovo, Libya and Lebanon. In addition, the exercises "Eagle Meteor", "Atlante" (2018 and 2019) and "Argo 2020" were developed under his guidance, and the seminar "I am a Soldier - The Value of Values" was organized.

Another important success, the establishment of the Center of Excellence Counter Mini / Micro Remote Pilot Aircraft at the headquarters of the Combat Aircraft Artillery Command in Sabaudia and del Cyber ​​Security Department at the headquarters of the transmission command in Rome.

Last but not least, the signing of the Memoranda of Understanding with the regions of Campania, Veneto, Puglia and Friuli Venezia Giulia, aimed at activating professional training courses for young soldiers to be engaged in humanitarian actions both nationally and internationally and the stipulation of an agreement to favor the socio-working reintegration of persons deprived of personal freedom, as well as the establishment ofCommitment Embassy, promoted by Parliament of International Legality.

The mayor of Verona thanked General Tota for what he has done in these two years and for the deep and intense bond established with the city, providing the precious contribution of the men and women of the Italian Army in all circumstances, when and where there is. was needed and was pleased with the Chief of Staff of the Army, both for having chosen another highly capable general in command in the city of Verona, and for what the Italian Army has done for Italy and for the city of Verona.

The general of the army corps Massimo Scala was general director of the direction of works and state property (GENIODIFE) of Rome, a prestigious and demanding role, played in a particularly delicate period that required careful and far-sighted action. In his speech he set out the programmatic lines that will be pursued during his period of command, marked by the enhancement of personnel, training and infrastructures.