The handover ceremony took place in the presence of the Commander of the Air Force Schools/3rd Air Region on Thursday 1 March, at the Italian Air Force (A.M.) Specialist School in Caserta, a handover ceremony was held between the outgoing Colonel Domenico Lobuono and the incoming Colonel Nicola Gigante. The ceremony, presided over by Air Force General Umberto Baldi, Commander of the Air Force Schools Command/3rd Air Region in Bari, took place in the presence of the highest-ranking civil and military authorities from Caserta and the surrounding province, the banners of the Province and Municipality of Caserta, and the standards of the Combatants“ and Service Branches” Associations. The key moments of the ceremony were marked by the Fanfare of the Air Force Schools Command/3rd Air Region of Bari. Colonel Lobuono is stepping down from his post as Commander of the Specialist School after just over two years in the role. In his speech, after thanking the attending authorities and all the institutional bodies in Caserta that had offered their cooperation during his period of command, he addressed the school’s staff with these words: “…I leave this command knowing that I have given my all and proud of all of you, who have been nothing short of exemplary for present and future generations. I am honoured to have been your Commander”. During his address, after greeting the authorities and the staff of the Specialist School, Colonel Gigante emphasised that “ethics, discipline, esprit de corps, military identity and an indispensable and profound sense of civic duty must permeate the minds and hearts of those who work with and train the men and women of the Italian Air Force at this historic School, which has welcomed thousands of airmen and specialists over many decades. Students must draw strength from these values in every aspect of their daily lives through concrete actions”. Quoting St Augustine, he concluded: “Words teach, examples inspire”. In his speech, General Baldi, after saluting the School’s flag – which has been awarded the Bronze Medal for Civil Valour – thanked the local authorities for their support of the Specialists“ School, highlighting ”the excellent work of Colonel Lobuono, who has successfully preserved and enriched the school’s traditions, strengthening ties with the local community through collaborative initiatives with the institutions of Caserta”. He expressed his full confidence in Colonel Gigante, “certain that his leadership will be characterised by the ability to listen to, engage and motivate all staff, thereby instilling in the students an awareness that they are servants of the State”.
The Air Force Specialist School is under the command of the Air Force Schools/3rd Air Force Region of Bari and is responsible for the military, cultural, technical-professional and moral training of Specialists (Sergeant Cadets, Sergeants and Permanent Service Troopers), of non-executive personnel of the Armed Force interested in a professional retraining/qualification process, and of “Aircraft Maintainers” from other Armed Forces and Police Forces.
