Since 16th of May 2025 Lieutenant General Antonio CONSERVA is the Italian Air Force Chief of Staff. He serves as the senior uniformed Air Force Officer responsible for the organisation, training and equipment of 44.000 active duty men and women serving in Italy and overseas. In accordance with the directives of the Chief of Defense Staff, he is responsible for the preparation and deployment of the national airspace defense system and, for this purpose; he coordinates the deployment of all the means involved in the defense of national airspace.
Lieutenant General (AF) Antonio CONSERVA was born in Taranto on 12 January 1963. In 1982 he joined the Air Force enrolling in Course “Borea 4”, and got his Military Pilot license in 1987.
In 1988 he was assigned to 21st Fighter Squadron - 53rd Wing Cameri, where he achieved Combat Readiness on F104S aircraft. Within the 21st Fighter Squadron he was appointed Commander of 351st Flight and Squadron Operations Officer, taking part in Operations “Trinacria” and “Deny Flight”.
In 1994 he served as flight instructor in the USA, flying T38 aircraft. On his return to Italy in 1997 he was assigned to 61st Wing-Lecce, where he commanded the 213th Training Squadron. Subsequently he held the post of Wing Operations Officer.
After attending the Joint Staff College (ISSMI) in academic year 2000/2001, he was assigned to the Air Force Staff where he served as Head of Performance, Verification and Analysis Office within the General Office for Internal Control, then as Deputy Head of General Planning Office- 3rd Department.
From September 2006 to July 2008 he commanded 36th Wing - Gioia del Colle, flying F-2000.
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 post of Deputy Head-General Office for Planning, Programming and Budgeting.
In June, 2017 he took office as Commander-Air Operations Command – Poggio Renatico.
On his return to the Defence Staff, in 2019, he was appointed Head of the General Office for Planning, Programming and Budgeting.
On June 22nd, 2021 he was appointed Chief of the Cabinet of the Minister of Defense.
On October 19th 2023 he was appointed Logistics Commander of the Italian Air Force.
From 16 May 2025, Air Force General Antonio Conserva is the Chief of Staff of the Air Force.
Gen. Conserva has over 3.000 flight hours on his record, achieved in fighter and advanced training aircrafts. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Aeronautical Sciences from Naples University and a Master Degree in International and Diplomatic Sciences from Trieste University, a Master Degree in International Strategic and Military Studies from Center for Defence Higher Studies (Rome) and a Master’s Degree in National Security Strategy from National Defense University (Washington, DC).
Lt Gen. Conserva was appointed Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic and was awarded the “Mauriziana” Medal for 50 years military service, the Military Medal of Merit for Long Command in gold, the Gold Medal for long air navigation, the Gold Service Cross with star, , the NATO Medal for Operations in Former Yugoslavia, the NATO Medal for Operations in and Kosovo, Medal for Meritorious Service of the US Air Force and Service Medal forCommon Security and Defense Policy for Planning and Support for his participation in EU Operation “Sophia”.
Lt Gen. Conserva is married to Anna. They have one daughter, Giulia.
Assicura le funzioni territoriali e di collegamento con gli Enti/Amministrazioni Territoriali nell’area della Capitale assolvendo, altresì, le funzioni di organismo presidiario.
Garantisce, inoltre, il supporto amministrativo agli Enti di Forza Armata e interforze ubicati nel comprensorio di Palazzo Aeronautica Militare e sul sedime dell’aeroporto di Centocelle. Dal COMAER dipende il Comando Aeroporto Vigna di Valle/Centro Storiografico e Sportivo dell’Aeronautica Militare.
Svolge l’attività previste dalle normative vigenti in materia di valutazione e predisposizione degli atti propedeutici alle attività d’istituto.
La Direzione Capitale Umano dell’Aeronautica Militare, è lo strumento attraverso il quale il Capo di Stato Maggiore dell’Aeronautica Militare gestisce l’impiego di Ufficiali, Sottufficiali, Graduati e Militari di Truppa.
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”.
L’ Ispettorato Generale per l’Aeronautica Militare ha la missione di garantire la c.d. accountability e compliance della Forza Armata ovvero la responsabilità nella gestione e la conformità alle normative e agli standard internazionali, per assicurare affidabilità, sicurezza, trasparenza amministrativa ed efficienza dei Reparti dell’Aeronautica Militare.
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.
L’Ufficio del generale del Ruolo delle Armi dell’Aeronautica Militare, ha il compito di fornire consulenza al Capo di Stato Maggiore per le questioni riguardanti il Ruolo, con particolare riguardo alla formazione e ai profili d’impiego del personale, fornendo un parere tecnico non vincolante in termini d’impiego e, quando richiesto, per le questioni tecniche del Ruolo di cui è posto al vertice.
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.
They carry out the activities required by current regulations regarding evaluation and the preparation of acts preparatory to the institute's activities.
Ufficio dell’Ispettore dell’Aviazione per la Marina è retto da un Ufficiale Generale dell’Aeronautica Militare. Si tratta di un organismo particolare che per le specifiche attività ha una duplice dipendenza: dalla Marina e dall’Aeronautica.
Ha il compito di condurre operazioni aeree antisommergibile e di concorso alle Forze Navali di superficie.
L’Ufficio del Capo del Corpo di Commissariato Aeronautico, garantisce consulenza al Capo di Stato Maggiore dell’Aeronautica per tutte le questioni riguardanti il Corpo, con particolare riguardo alla formazione ed ai profili d’impiego del personale, nonché per le questioni tecniche di competenza del Corpo cui è posto al vertice.
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.
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:
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.
They carry out the activities required by current regulations regarding evaluation and the preparation of acts preparatory to the institute's activities.
L’Ufficio del Vicario Episcopale per l’Aeronautica Militare, costituito nel 2008 e posto alle dirette dipendenze del Capo di Stato Maggiore dell’Aeronautica Militare, ha il compito di coordinare l’azione pastorale dei Cappellani militari dell’Arma Azzurra e di curare l’assistenza spirituale del personale militare e civile in servizio presso gli enti di Forza Armata e interforze con sede nel comprensorio di Palazzo Aeronautica e aree adiacenti.
