On Thursday 30th July, at the Trapani-Birgi military airport, the change of command ceremony for the leadership of the 37th Wing took place between the Colonel Giuseppe Ambrosio, incoming commander and the Colonel Daniele Mastroberti, Outgoing Commander.
The event, chaired by the Commander of the Combat Forces of Milan, Air Vice Marshal Marco Lant, it took place in the presence of the highest civil, military and religious authorities of the area.
The fundamental moment was the handover of the War Flag from the hands of the outgoing Commander to those of the incoming one, which represents the honour, tradition and memory of the Fallen of the 37th Wing.
In his farewell speech, the Colonel Mastroberti he wanted to thank General Lant for his constant support during the years of intense work carried out at the head of the Wing and «pfor his/her precious and measured leadership, always clear, far-sighted and inspiring»as well as the local Institutions for the collaboration and team spirit shown on every occasion. He then addressed a special thought to the women and men of the 37th Wing: «Thank you for the trust you have placed in me – said – thank you for following me, for inspiring me, for supporting me, for pointing me in the right direction and also for telling me no when it was time to do so». Continuing: «You have given me so much over these years, professionally and personally, more than I could have ever imagined. I will be forever in debt to all of you and to this beautiful region which, inevitably, I will continue to call home». The outgoing Commander then concluded his speech by wishing Colonel Ambrosio an exciting and challenging experience: «Iin a system as complex as a Wing, so difficult to calibrate – he has finished – Believe in people, not circumstances.
In his inaugural speech, however, the Colonel Ambrosio he expressed his gratitude to the Higher Authorities for the trust placed in him by conferring upon him the prestigious role and, thanking his predecessor for the exceptional achievements attained by the 37th Wing at national and international level, he emphasised how «over time, this Wing has built bonds of friendship and collaboration which I today consider an integral part of its strength and which I am committed, from day one, to cultivating and strengthening». He then addressed the personnel of the Wing: «I look at you and I feel extremely proud that from today I will be your guide», he said, highlighting «the indisputable technical and operational capabilities and above all the immeasurable spirit of service that characterise you». «To the younger generation – he added – I ask for ideas and energy without holding back; your perspective, free from habits, is a resource I intend to fully value. To you elders, to those with more experience, I ask you to drive the continuous evolution of the 37th Wing and not to suffer it. The credibility earned over years of service, combined with your practical approach in achieving the goal, is the most powerful lever we have. I commit to guiding you wherever there is uncertainty and to always making the purpose of what I ask clear.” and he concluded by saying: «Much of what we will do will not be ordinary, but I guarantee you it will be extraordinarily engaging.
Finally, the floor was taken by the Gen. D.A. Lant who first congratulated Colonel Mastroberti on the effective and prompt command action carried out at the helm of the 37th Wing, and then wished Colonel Ambrosio well in his new role, highlighting how today is «also a moment when the Unit meets and recognises itself». «It does so around the War Flag, to which I pay my most deferential homage – he said – we always salute the flag with respect. It is a symbol and a place. It is the place that preserves the memory of our colleagues who have offered the highest example of service to the Fatherland». Finally, he expressed his gratitude to the staff of the Department: «An extraordinary Wing, made up of solid, mature and capable professionals even before means and able to make a difference when called upon to tackle the most demanding tasks – concluded – dMen and women of the 37th Wing, the challenges that await you are complex and require ever-increasing readiness. Continue to work with the strength, generosity and spirit that distinguish you. You are an exceptional Unit, look each other in the eye and look to the future with courage and vision, remembering that your history and your identity have always called upon you to be an example for our Armed Forces and for Defence».
The 37th Stormo is integrated into the national airspace surveillance and defence structure 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, via systems integrated since peacetime with those of other NATO member countries: the operational readiness service is carried out by the pilots of the 18th Group with F-2000A aircraft, ready to take off immediately in all weather conditions. Furthermore, the 37th Stormo guarantees flight assistance services for the benefit of both military and civil traffic transiting through the “Vincenzo Florio” airport; it supports Civil Protection activities by hosting the deployment of Canadair aircraft during the summer period to combat forest fires; it supports Italian aerospace industry programmes; it provides logistical and administrative support to the other entities present on the airfield as well as to the Pantelleria Airport Detachment.
