Thursday 18th September, at the headquarters of the 2nd Air Force Engineer Dept. of Ciampino, the handover ceremony took place between the Colonel Alessandro SCALCIONE, outgoing Commander, and the Colonel Andrea BOCCASINO, Incoming Commander.
At the event, chaired by Brigadier General Paolo RIZZETTO, Head of the Infrastructure Service of the Air Force Logistics Command, The Mayor of the Municipality of Ciampino, Lawyer Emanuela Colella, and the Commander of the Local Police, Lawyer Roberto Antonelli, attended, confirming the closeness of the Ciampino community, along with the Director General of Geniodife Gen. Isp. Mario Sciandra, Military Associations, Trade Unions, former Commanders of the 2nd Genius Department, Commanders and representatives, in service or retired, of the superior Commands and of the bodies supported by 2nd RGAM.
In his farewell speech, Colonel Alessandro Scalcione, after a moment of remembrance for the personnel of the Department who have prematurely passed away in recent years, thanked the Higher Authorities for the support received, but above all the personnel of the Department who, despite being shaken by significant events, managed to pick themselves up and relaunch activities, collectively facing regulatory changes, digitalisation processes, sector crises, and staff reductions.
The speech concluded with thanks to the family and good wishes to the incoming Commander.
Colonel Andrea Boccasino, in his installation speech, first thanked the Superior Authorities for the trust placed in him, expressing immense pride in taking command of a Unit that represents an excellence within the Armed Force.
He then stressed how, after years of underfunding the sector, there is a strong need for modern bases and airports, suitable for advanced weapon systems, and that the Engineer Departments are the linchpin for achieving the ambitious objectives set by the highest political and military bodies.
He then concluded his speech by promising full cooperation with the local authorities and thanking his colleagues and family for the continuous support offered throughout his career.
It Brigadier General Rizzetto, taking the floor, first of all extended a greeting to all the guests present, the staff and their families who silently bear the weight and pride of serving in this prestigious Department: the handover of command testifies precisely to the living strength of the Infrastructure sector, the solidity of the traditions that support it, “the passing of a responsibility that does not belong to individuals, but is safeguarded and honoured by generations of men and women in uniform, with discipline, dedication and a spirit of service to the Homeland”.
He then thanked Colonel Scalcione for his work during his tenure, highlighting some of the most important technical/operational projects carried out during that period, and emphasising the exceptional number of work tender procedures completed in the last three years.
He then outlined the main challenges for the future: on the one hand, the “Blue Airports” programme, which will boost the modernisation and adaptation of the entire Italian Air Force's infrastructure; on the other, the digitalisation of working processes and information flows for the Infrastructure Service, which includes the final adoption of the Building Information Modelling.
In conclusion, he wished Col. Boccasino well, asking the 2nd Engineer Regiment personnel to support the new Commander as a team, because “It is in daily collaboration, attention to detail, intelligent discipline and a passion for a job well done that service to the Fatherland is fulfilled.”.
