On 19 February, the Air Force's senior staff met at the Air Operations Command (COA) in Poggio Renatico for the first “Air & Space Command & Control Flag Officer Seminar”. The meeting, which was of a strongly strategic nature, was conceived to take stock with the entire FA leadership on the future challenges of the aerospace domain, with a focus on the evolution of Aerospace Command and Control (C2) in light of the current global security landscape.
The Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Gen. S.A. Antonio Conserva, attended the event, and upon arrival was welcomed by the Commander of the Air Force Command - 1st Air Region, Gen. S.A. Silvano Frigerio, and the Commander of the COA, Gen. D.A. Luca Maineri. In his welcoming address, General Conserva stated Espresso his thanks for organising a forum in which to constructively discuss a fundamental topic: the capacity to express Aerospace Power in a continuous and sustainable manner over time.
At the heart of the work is the analysis of the implications arising from the current geopolitical scenario and the need for an effective synthesis between strategic vision and tactical requirements. This balance appears crucial on the path towards the certification of the National Air Component, a fundamental piece for integration into the new NATO Allied Reaction Force (ARF). In this context, particular attention has been given to the certification process of the Italian Joint Force Air Component (ITA-JFAC), represented by the Armed Force through the Air Operations Command (COA) at Poggio Renatico.
The choice to host the seminar at the COA in Poggio Renatico, promoted by the Air Squad Command, holds significant symbolic and functional value. The Poggio base indeed represents the nerve centre for the planning, coordination, and conduct of national aerospace operations and constitutes an essential hub of NATO's integrated air and missile defence system. Its strong operational focus has allowed the strategic discussion to be anchored in a concrete dimension, directly linked to the daily responsibilities of defending national airspace.
Throughout the day, current major crisis scenarios, developments in national airspace protection, and lessons learned from ongoing conflicts were addressed, with a focus on technological innovation and multi-domain integration. This was the first seminar by the Armed Forces' top brass dedicated exclusively to Aerospace Command and Control, offering a 360° view. The initiative aims to promote a cultural and operational change of pace and was met with broad consensus for the relevance of the topics discussed. The discussion was not limited to operational and technical-logistical aspects but extended to human resource management and training, laying the groundwork for a structured, periodic event.
The cornerstone of the seminar was open discussion, aimed at consolidating a shared vision on the future projects of the Armed Force. The event sent a clear signal: the evolution of Aerospace Power requires deep synergy between the decision-making and operational levels, with a view to increasing integration and interoperability.
