The handover ceremony was presided over by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Air Squad General Paolo Magro. In his ritual farewell address, General Salamida, who is going to take up the post of Head of the 4th Department of the Air Force Staff, reflected on his past experience, the professional growth achieved while leading the Department and the issues tackled, which have allowed him to enrich his background of knowledge, fundamental for the continuation of his career. In reviewing the work carried out, he offered a warm thank you to all those with whom he cooperated, Defence authorities and colleagues amongst others, highlighting the climate of mutual and constructive availability and collaboration that was established. Subsequently, General Salamida thanked the Higher Authorities for the trust placed in him in running the SMA's financial department and expressed sincere words of gratitude towards all the personnel, before wishing his successor well for the demanding and prestigious role that will occupy him from now on. General Conserva, in thanking the Higher Authorities for their trust, touched upon the new and demanding tasks of the Department, which from today must ensure the complete cycle of integrated planning and the operational deployment of the funds allocated to the Armed Force. In particular, the management of financial flows must lead to a more rational use of resources, in order to cope with the country's current economic situation and the consequent structural contraction of funding. Finally, he thanked General Salamida for the quality of the Department and, addressing the personnel, asked them to continue operating with their usual professionalism, dedication and team spirit. Air Brigadier General Antonio Conserva was born in Taranto on 12 January 1963. He joined the Italian Air Force in 1982 with the Borea IV Course and earned his Military Pilot licence in 1987 at the Euro-Nato Joint Jet Pilot Training school in Sheppard, USA.
In 1988, following the pre-operational course on the G91T aircraft at Amendola and the F104 conversion course at Grosseto, he was posted to the 21st Squadron of the 53rd Wing at Cameri, where he achieved Combat Readiness on the F104S aircraft. Within the 21st Squadron he commanded the 351st Flight and held the position of Head of the Operations Section, participating in Operations Trinacria and Deny Flight.
In July 1991 he assumed the role of training officer for the Nibbio IV Course at the Air Force Academy, subsequently attending the Regular Course at the Air War School in Florence during the 1992-93 academic year.
In 1994, he was posted to the U.S.A. as a T38 flight instructor at the NATO Jet Pilot Training School in Sheppard, serving as an Examiner, among other duties.
Having returned to Italy in 1997, he was assigned to the 61st Wing in Lecce as Head of the Instructor Pilots Training Section. In 1998, he commanded the 213th Flight Group, responsible for training for the issuance of the Military Pilot Licence on the MB339A aircraft. Finally, he held the position of Head of the Wing's Operations Office from 1999 to 2000.
After attending the ISSMI Course in the 2000-01 academic year, he took up the position of Head of the Audit and Results Analysis Office within the General Audit Office. In May 2002, he was assigned to the 3rd Department of the Italian Air Force General Staff, serving as Deputy Head of the 1st Plans Office until August 2006.
From September 2006 to July 2008, he commanded the 36th Wing at Gioia del Colle. Upon returning to the 3rd Division of the Italian Air Force Staff, he took up the role of Head of the 1st Transformation and General Planning Office. From June 2009 to June 2010, he attended the National War College at the National Defense University in Washington. In June 2010, he assumed the role of Deputy Head of the 6th Economic and Financial Affairs Division of the Italian Air Force Staff.
From October 2012 to September 2013 he served as Head of the General Office for Internal Control.
General Conserva has logged over 3,000 flight hours on fighter and advanced trainer aircraft. He holds a 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 Centre for Higher Defence Studies in Rome, and a master's degree in National Security Strategy from the National Defense University in Washington, DC, in the USA.
General Conserva has been appointed a Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic and has been awarded the Long Service and Long Navigation Medals, the NATO Medals for operations in the former Yugoslavia and Kosovo, and the US Air Force Meritorious Service Medal.
General Conserva is married and has a daughter.
