Air Team General Luca Goretti takes over the leadership of the Italian Air Force, replacing Air Team General Alberto Rosso. The handover ceremony at the top of the Italian Air Force between the
Air Squad General Alberto Rosso and the
Air Chief Marshal Luca Goretti took place this morning at the Ciampino military airport (Rome), home of the
31st Wing, in the presence of
Minister of Defence, the Rt Hon Lorenzo Guerini, and of
Chief of the Defence Staff, General Enzo Vecciarelli. The event was attended by the military leadership and numerous political, civil and religious authorities.
In his farewell speech, the
General Red, after three years at the head of the Armed Force, wanted to look back over the intense period he had experienced: “
It has been three difficult years, largely marked by sudden and unexpected challenges that have put the capabilities of the AM to the test, but perhaps precisely for this reason they have been three years full of extraordinary satisfaction.” They then went on to emphasise “
how much has been done looking far ahead, to the future, to the new domains of space and cyber, implementing new capabilities, launching new programmes and cooperation, preparing ourselves for foreseeable and unexpected challenges; […] how much has been done looking at the present, to be ready, capable, credible in our daily commitments at home and abroad, to respond promptly and effectively to the unexpected, to crises, to emergencies, to the fundamental and vital commitments that we must ensure every day, 24 hours a day, seamlessly, alongside the other armed forces, together with other institutions, in harmony with allied and friendly countries“, and finally how much has been done“
looking to the past, at our history, at our traditions, to enhance our roots, to strengthen the pride of belonging, to consolidate the sense of family and of pride for what we have been and for what we are“.
General Rosso defined his “
over 43 fantastic and exciting years in the Air Force, lived intensely, which literally flew by. A Catholic philosopher said that gratitude is the measure of happiness and this is precisely the prevailing feeling today. If I look back and run through my life, I am well aware of being privileged. I managed to fulfil what was my childhood dream and passion in life: to fly. The Air Force allowed me to grow, it shaped me, it offered me extraordinary professional and human opportunities. But if I look back, throughout my life in blue – concluded General Rosso –
the greatest satisfaction and wealth I have received was given to me by the personnel. I received it from my superiors, from my colleagues, from my subordinates with whom we have shared difficulties and challenges; satisfactions and successes, joys and sorrow. The bond that naturally establishes itself among those who are part of the same team, among those who love the same life, among those who have decided to take the same oath and have served, sweated, rejoiced, suffered, and fought together, the sense and pride of belonging are priceless riches, which have no price, which fill the heart and it is the dearest and most precious thing that I will always carry with me”.
General Goretti then wanted to thank General Rosso: “
Your safety, your determination and the absolute priority for the Italian Air Force provided my daily work with a sense of peace and reassurance that allowed us to achieve the set objectives in complete internal and external harmony with the Armed Force“He then concluded by saying:“
We must keep going like this and I hope that the Institutions ensure the adequate human and financial resources to support this great military organisation. The Italian Air Force with its personnel, I repeat, is and will always be ready. We want to continue training with the necessary quantitative and qualitative requirement of the capabilities that we are able to express“.
It
Chief of the Defence Staff, General Enzo Vecciarelli, during his speech emphasised how “
The handover of the position of Chief of Staff of the Italian Air Force represents an event of absolute significance for the Armed Force and a moment of great intensity that I myself had the privilege of experiencing first-hand“. He also added:“
I want to thank you, Alberto, for the continuity you have given to my command action and for the further innovative drive you have managed to impart in evolving the Air Force towards an integrated model of collective defence, while simultaneously developing effective cooperation with the country's main institutions“Finally, addressing General Goretti, the Chief of Defence expressed his best wishes as follows:“
Dear Luca, you are preparing to lead the Air Force through a demanding period full of technological and cultural challenges, but knowing your qualities and abilities, your admirable willpower, your charisma and the lofty ideals that drive you, I am certain that you will prove to be an enlightened head and leader, continuing in the path forged over the years“.
In his speech, the
Secretary of State for Defence The Rt Hon. Lorenzo Guerini pointed out that “
The Italian Air Force is one of the institutional pillars of the national and Euro-Atlantic defence and security system. Always present wherever necessary to protect Italy's strategic interests and guarantee the safety of our citizens.
The Italian Air Force has the obligation to look to tomorrow encoded in its DNA, where technological development is growing at an exponential rate. This is our most defining task: living the present while anticipating the future, to remain a reliable point of reference for the country, a mainstay always ready for deployment.“.
In the morning, General Rosso and General Goretti laid a
laurel wreath for the fallen of the Italian Air Force at the Three Arches Lapidary at
Aeronautica Palace, a Roman.
Subsequently, they went to the
Quirinal where they were received by
President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella.
Watch the live web stream of the Italian Air Force Chief of Staff Change of Command Ceremony. Watch the video made by the Presidency of the Italian Republic
Download the ceremony photos here Download the Curriculum Vitae and photograph of General SALucaGoretti Photo Audiovisual Production Centre – “Troupe Azzurra”
