The ceremony of succession between Colonel Alberto Barugolo and Colonel Leonardo Vitadello took place in Poggio Renatico
Colonel Vitadello, in his farewell speech, greeted the men and women of the Department, referring to the personnel he said: “I had the privilege of commanding for almost three years, during a period characterized by profound organizational changes and marked by events of particular importance such as the operation in Libya and the well-known seismic events of May 2012”. Colonel Vitadello emphasized that “Work done with seriousness and professionalism is in itself a reason for gratification and sooner or later it is destined to receive recognition, even if it is done behind the scenes.”.
Colonel Vitadello was assigned to the Command of the 1st Technical Communications Department in Milan.
Colonel Barugolo, during his speech, emphasized the desire to continue the extraordinary work carried out by his predecessor, “I know the meticulousness of his work and I am sure that the foundation from which my work will start is solid and well organized”Then addressing the staff of the Department he added: “I ask you to strive to see every problem as a challenge: evaluate it from new angles, choose the one that would be best for you, as if it were your own, and use common sense. Your suggestions will be better, your choices will be better.”.
A special thank you was finally expressed by General Mazzi, who emphasized the constant professionalism and dedication demonstrated by Colonel Vitadello throughout his entire term of office, and then addressed Colonel Barugolo with the warmest wishes for the newly assumed assignment. Colonel Alberto Barugolo was born in Modena in 1961.
Upon joining the Air Force in 1982, he was assigned to the 1st Air Brigade in Zelo (RO) as “Officer in Charge of Tactical Control of Missile Systems”. In December 1992 he was transferred to Rome, where he was assigned to the General Directorate of Air Personnel, where he manages the employment of Officers from the Corps at all the institutions of the Air Force.
In December 1996 he assumed the duties of Commander of the Local Protection Company and N.B.C. of the 11th A.M. Radar Group of Poggio Renatico and, subsequently, the duties of Chief of the Command Office of the newly established Headquarters of the Air Force Operational Command (COFA).
From February 2001 to July 2004 he served at the NATO Joint Command South Centre in Tyronavos (Greece) where he held the position of Manpower and Personnel Branch Chief. Upon returning to Italy, he held the position of Group Commander of Logistics and Operational Services at the COFA Headquarters in Poggio Renatico.
In November 2006 he joined the COFA where he holds the position of Head of the Employment Section for Sub-Officers and Troops. Since March 2011 he has been at the Air Operations Command (COA) in Poggio Renatico as Head of the Training, Training and Specialization Section of the Air Defense Office and subsequently as Head of the Human Resources Section.
In addition to the real and practical activities related to the aforementioned assignments, Col. Barugolo participated in operations outside the national borders: in 1998 he participated in the Joint Guardian mission in the territories of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), as an Officer assigned to the CIMIC theater center. In 2002 he performed the assignment of Liaison Officer with OSCE and EUMM within the Amber Fox mission in FYROM. From September 2010 to April 2011 he held the position of Chief Personnel within the EUFOR mission in Bosnia Herzegovina.
He was awarded the title of Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, the Mauriziana Medal, the National Commemorative Cross for Peace Missions, the Bronze Medal for Long Service and the Gold Cross for Senior Service, the NATO Medals for operations in Bosnia Herzegovina, FYROM and Kosovo, and the European Union Medal for the EUFOR mission.
He is a Member of the International Human Rights Council; he has obtained the ISPM certification in Project Management; he holds the qualification of Nuclear, Bacteriological and Chemical Forecaster.
He holds a degree in Organizational and Management Sciences from the Tuscia University in Viterbo.
Colonel Barugolo has moved in with Mrs. Monica and has a daughter.
