The change of command ceremony took place at Pratica di Mare in the presence of the Chief of Staff of the Air Force. General Marani leaves the Command to be placed on leave after 43 years of service in the Air Force. In his speech, the General highlighted how the Logistic Command is today a reality within the Armed Force capable of supporting all other components in an ever-changing operational and exercise situation, where synergy will play a fundamental role in finalising efforts for a unique and better outcome. General Lodovisi, recalling his time at the Flight Experimental Department, thanked the Chief of Staff for the trust placed in him. He then went on to refer to the overall situation of the country, which will see Defence and consequently the Armed Force projected into a reality within which they will be called upon to do more despite the contraction of resources, stressing how the Armed Force has undertaken a restructuring process favouring quality over quantity. At the closing of the ceremony, General Bernardis first thought was of General Marani, with whom he had shared a long career from the Academy to recent times, underlining the fundamental role played by the Logistic Command in supporting operational activity. ———————- Air Chief Marshal Maurizio Lodovisi, the new Logistic Commander, comes from the normal courses of the Air Force Academy (course “Nibbio 3rd”). A test pilot, he was, among other things, Commander of the Flight Experimental Department, Head of Office at the 4th Department of the Air Force Staff (SMA), Commander of the 2nd Autonomous Operational Department of Pristina, Head of the 4th Department of the General Secretariat of Defence and National Armaments Directorate, Head of the 4th Department of the SMA, Deputy Commander of the Air Force Command and Deputy Chief of Staff of the Air Force.
General Lodovisi has approximately 5000 flying hours to his name on over 50 types of fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. He has been awarded several honours, including Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, the Maurizian Medal for Merit of Ten Lustres of Military Career, the Military Aeronautical Medal for Long Air Navigation, and the Commemorative Cross for Peacekeeping (Kosovo).
