Colonel Antonio Vivolo hands over command of the Italian National Contingent Command Air – Task Force Kuwait to Colonel Federico Pellegrini
On 20 January 2022, after 6 months in office, Colonel Antonio Vivolo has given up command of the’Italian National Air Contingent Command (IT NCC AIR) – Task Force Air Kuwait To the Colonel Federico Pellegrini.
At the ceremony, presided over by the Head of Operations of the Joint Forces Summit Operational Command, Air Division General Luigi Del Bene, the Italian Ambassador to Kuwait was among those present Carlo Baldocci, the Apostolic Nuncio Mons. Eugene Martin Nugent, the Defence Attaché in Kuwait, Colonel Salvatore Ferragamo and a large delegation of partners from the coalition leading the operation “Inherent Resolve” And of the Host nation.
Colonel Antonio Vivolo, in his farewell speech, thanked the authorities present and addressed all the assembled personnel, complimenting them for “to have been able to fulfil his request”, made during the inauguration speech, “to work as protagonists, that is, as real fighters in every situation”.
During his tenure, in fact, he managed to make the most of the available resources – in terms of staff and facilities – not only in Inherent Resolve, but also in contingent situations, such as Operation Aquila Omnia, resolving with authority and promptness the ongoing difficulties that arose during the airlift between Afghanistan and Italy.
Furthermore, the final months of the mandate have been characterised by a significant logistical increase at Al Salem base, seeing the completion of the redeployment of the Task Group SAMP-T and full operational capacity of Task Group Medal, previously in the United Arab Emirates.
Col. Vivolo concluded his speech with a wish for the incoming Commander to be able to achieve ever more ambitious objectives with the full and unconditional support of the men and women of IT NCC Air.
In his inauguration speech, Col. Federico Pellegrini, after thanking the distinguished guests in attendance, expressed great pride and a deep sense of gratitude.“at the top of the Armed Forces for the trust placed in me with the assignment of this important Command outside national borders”He then congratulated the outgoing Commander on the excellent results achieved by the IT NCC AIR and, addressing the military authorities present from the Coalition countries, assured continuity and full availability within a climate of increasing support and evolution of international cooperation, while respecting the assigned mission.
He then addressed the Contingent’s personnel, emphasising that his leadership would aim to “primarily to allow the contingent to operate in the best possible conditions, drawing inspiration from the founding values of the Oath, such as loyalty, service, discipline and honour”.
The ceremony concluded with a welcoming address from Air Division General Luigi Del Bene who, on behalf of the Joint Operations Command, the superior body of’IT NCC AIR – TasK Force Air Kuwait He thanked the authorities, the guests and the representatives of the Host Nation and the Coalition for the support, backing and great closeness shown daily towards the Italian Contingent, especially during periods of intense operational and emergency activity, with regard to the ongoing pandemic crisis for Covid-19 and especially the joint intervention by Coalition Countries in Operation “Aquila Omnia”.
