Air Marshal Antonio CONSERVA was born in Taranto on 12 January 1963. He began his military career in 1982, attending regular courses at the Air Force Academy in Pozzuoli with the “Borea IV” Course. Upon completion of his training, he obtained a Bachelor's degree in Aeronautical Sciences from the University of Naples, a Master's degree in International and Diplomatic Sciences from the University of Trieste, a Master's degree in Strategic-Military International Studies from the CASD, and a Master's degree in National Defence Strategy from the Ciaróg Córnic (Irish for "National Defence College") translates to National Defence College in English. in Washington D.C. (USA).
In 1987, he obtained his military pilot's licence from the’Euro NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training (ENJJPT) at Sheppard AFB in Texas (USA) on a T-38 aircraft.
In 1988, he was assigned to the 21st Fighter Group – 53rd Wing in Cameri, where he achieved the Combat Readiness He flew the F104S and commanded the 351st Flying Squadron. With the 21st Group, he participated in the “Trinacria” and “Deny Flight”.
In 1994, he served as a flight instructor in the United States, flying T38 aircraft. Upon returning to Italy in 1997, he was assigned to the 61st Wing in Galatina, where he commanded the 213th Group and subsequently held the position of Chief of Operations.
After attending the Higher Institute of the Air Force General Staff (ISSMI) in the academic year 2000/2001, he was assigned to the Air Force General Staff where he held the position of Head of the Performance, Verification and Analysis Office within the General Office for Internal Control, and then Deputy Head of the General Planning Office of the 3rd Department of the General Staff.
From September 2006 to July 2008, he commanded the 36th Wing – Gioia del Colle.
In 2008, he returned to the Air Staff as Head of the General Planning and Transformation Office – 3rd Department and, from 2010, as Deputy Head of the 6th Department – Economic and Financial Affairs.
In October 2012, he was appointed Head of the General Office for Internal Control and, from September 2013, Head of the 6th Department – Economic and Financial Affairs.
In April 2016, he was assigned to the Defence Staff, where he held the position of Deputy Chief of the General Office for Planning, Programming and Budgeting.
In June 2017, he took up the role of Commander of the Air Operations Command – Poggio Renatico.
Upon returning to the Defence Staff in 2019, he was appointed Head of the General Office for Planning, Programming and Budget.
On 22 June 2021, he became Head of Cabinet for the Minister of Defence.
From 19 October 2023 to 15 May 2025, he holds the position of Logistics Commander of the Air Force and during the same period is a member of the Higher Advancement Commission of the Air Force and President of the Aviator's House.
From 16 May 2025, Air Force General Antonio Conserva is the Chief of Staff of the Air Force.
Gen. S.A. Conserva has over 3,000 flying hours to his credit, logged on fighter and advanced training aircraft.
He has been appointed Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. He has been awarded, among other honours, the NATO Medals for operations in the former Yugoslavia and Kosovo, the United States Meritorious Service Medal, and the European Union Commemorative Medal for the ’SOPHIA’ mission.
Gen. S.A. Conserva is married to Mrs Anna and they have a daughter, Giulia.
The Directorate for the Employment of Military Personnel (D.I.P.M.A.) of the Air Force is the instrument through which the Chief of Staff of the Air Force manages the employment of Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, Warrant Officers, and Enlisted Personnel.
Specifically, it is responsible for the programming and implementation of the acts necessary to meet all national, inter-force, and international requirements, ensuring that the staffing levels of bodies adhere to criteria of optimal deployment and equitable distribution.
The objective is to reconcile, where possible, the superior needs of the Armed Forces with those of the individual, always in the spirit of putting“The right man in the right place at the right time”.
The General Office of the Italian Air Force's Financial Responsibility Centre (U.C.R.A. – A.M.) was established in 2018 following a reorganisation to adapt the Italian Air Force's administrative structure to changes in state accounting and contract regulations. The General Office carries out high-level financial oversight through the Directorate of Administration and procurement through the General Coordination Office.
Established in 1991, the Flight Safety Inspectorate is commanded by a Major General or Air Brigadier, who reports to the Chief of Staff. The Inspectorate's mission is to study flight safety-related issues and to issue directives concerning the prevention, investigation, and legal aspects of military aircraft accidents.
The Higher Institute for Flight Safety (I.S.S.V.), established by Decree of the Minister of Defence on 26/10/1995, was reorganised on 1st July 2009 with the aim of ensuring the training and qualification in Flight Safety for personnel of the Armed Forces, Armed State Corps, and personnel belonging to other Ministries and civilian organisations. The I.S.S.V. is responsible for the production of the “Flight Safety” magazine which, since 1952, has represented a technical tool for expanding the professional preparation of flight crews, controllers, specialists, and all personnel involved with flight activities.
The General Office of the Chief of Staff of the Air Force is responsible for:
The General Office is based at Palazzo Aeronautica and is tasked with formulating the Armed Force's policy in the area of health and safety protection in the workplace and environmental protection, fostering the creation and sharing of a safety culture; it also defines guidelines for preventative activities in its areas of competence.
The General Office for the Coordination of Accident Prevention Surveillance was established in January 2015 and is based in Rome, at Palazzo Aeronautica. The Office's task is to oversee the application of legislation concerning health and safety in the workplace where confidential or operational activities are carried out.
The General Office for Managerial Innovation (UIM), formerly the General Office for Internal Control (UGCI), has been renamed and reorganised based on the “Governance AM 2014“ project. It is unique within the Defence sector, serving as a potential role model for the entire Ministry and capable of generating a competitive advantage for the Armed Forces. In particular, the new structure optimises the organisation's operational processes within the scope of Quality Management Systems and provides methods, models, and best practices for managing a project portfolio.
It is also the AMi-CERT Certification Body and develops the strategic vision in the field of processes suitable for obtaining quality certification within the Armed Forces.
The Office is tasked with advising the Chief of Staff on matters concerning the Role, with particular regard to training and employment profiles of personnel, providing a non-binding technical opinion in terms of employment and, when requested, on technical matters of the Role at the head of which it is placed.
The Office of the Chief of the Air Force Engineering Corps provides advice to the Chief of Staff of the Air Force on matters pertaining to the Air Force Engineering Corps, with particular regard to the training and employment profiles of personnel, as well as for technical matters falling within the remit of the Corps at the head of which it is placed.
The Office of the Chief of Staff provides advice to the Chief of the Air Staff on all matters concerning the Corps, with particular regard to training and employment profiles of personnel, as well as for technical matters within the competence of the Corps at the helm of which it is placed.
The Office of the Chief of the Air Force Medical Corps advises the Chief of Staff of the Air Force on matters relating to the Air Force Medical Corps, with particular attention to training and deployment profiles of personnel, and furthermore provides non-binding technical opinions regarding deployment and, when requested, on technical matters within the competence of the Air Force Medical Corps.
Ensures territorial functions and liaison with local authorities and administrations; guarantees the performance of garrison-related activities and constitutes the natural link between the Armed Force and local government bodies.
From Command 1a The following bodies or departments depend on the Air Region:
Established on 1 March 1999, it ensures territorial functions and liaison with Territorial Bodies/Administrations in the Capital's area, also carrying out its role as a garrison organisation.
It also guarantees administrative support to Air Force and joint force bodies located within the Palazzo Aeronautica Militare complex and on the Centocelle Airport premises. The Aeroporto Vigna di Valle Command/Air Force Historical and Sports Centre reports to COMAER.
Established on 12 April 2021, it ensures the territorial functions of the Air Force and liaison with territorial/local bodies and administrations, guaranteeing the carrying out of garrison activities and acting as the link between the Armed Force and local government bodies. Furthermore, it cooperates with local authorities in organising and managing activities during public calamities or emergencies.
The Office, established in 2008 and reporting directly to the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, is tasked with coordinating the pastoral activities of the Air Force's military chaplains and overseeing the spiritual welfare of military and civilian personnel serving in Air Force and joint-force entities located within the Palazzo Aeronautica complex and surrounding areas.
They carry out the activities required by current regulations regarding evaluation and the preparation of acts preparatory to the institute's activities.
