The change of command between Colonel Spuntoni and Colonel Esposito was attended by General Caputo, Chief of Staff of the COI. The ceremony was attended by the Chief of Staff of the Joint Operational Command (COI), Air Division General Settimo Caputo.
In his thank-you greeting to the staff, Colonel Spuntoni, not hiding his emotion at the end of such an intense period, was keen to highlight how the support provided to the command's actions had always been prompt and loyal. “The TFA – Colonel Spuntoni had said – It is a unique Department and a great asset for the Armed Forces, an organisational unit of absolute value that operates continuously and with extreme effectiveness, with personnel belonging to all Armed Forces and State Armed Corps, successfully achieving assigned objectives.“.“The strength of the Department – the outgoing Commander continued – they are men guided by a deep operational consciousness, high responsibility and a culture of safety”. Col. Spuntoni concluded by stating that his work has always been guided by achieving maximum operational capability, with the utmost safety in operations, through a pursuit of the sobriety, rigor, and linearity of action that these difficult times demand.
Upon taking up his post, Col. Esposito expressed his conviction that the efficiency of forces in the Operational Theatre depends on the valuable work of the Al Bateen TFA, which serves as the link between strategic and tactical transport. “These objectives – said Colonel Esposito – safeguarding Italy's image, they are materialised in efficiently and effectively ensuring connections between the Motherland and our colleagues in the Armed Forces and military bodies of the State operating in the operational theatres of this geographical area“.“Thereforeyou continued It is essential to continue to carry out the assigned task with conviction and determination, out of respect for colleagues working in far more hostile territories and for those, above all, who worked alongside us and who sadly have left us.“In compliance with the COI guidelines, Colonel Esposito finally stressed that his actions will be geared towards enhancing synergy between the three main functions of the assigned mission, namely air transport, reception and staging of personnel, equipment and materials, and the management of emergency medical evacuations (MEDEVAC and STRATEVAC).
In conclusion to the ceremony, General Caputo thanked the Department for its unique work, which, although less visible than that carried out in advanced Operational Theatres, is nonetheless of primary importance in supporting activities in Afghanistan. The Commander of the COI then thanked Colonel Spuntoni for the valuable work carried out and the significant savings in financial resources achieved through careful and necessary administrative activity. Wishing Colonel Esposito good luck, General Caputo finally expressed his satisfaction with the important and intense activity of the TFA, which will represent a new challenge for the new Commander.
