In Cameri, the handover took place between Colonel Alessandro Tudini, outgoing Commander, and Colonel Walter De Gennaro.
The ceremony was attended by the highest local institutional figures, including the Prefect of Novara, Dr. Francesco Paolo Castaldo, the Mayor of the Municipality of Cameri, Architect Rosa Maria Monfrinoli, the Mayor of the Municipality of Bellinzago Novarese, Professor Mariella Bovio, and representatives from the Municipality of Novara and the Province of Novara.
Also present were numerous representatives from local Arms Associations, from the aeronautical industries with which the Department has daily dealings, and from local socio-economic organisations. Colonel Tudini, the outgoing Commander destined for service at the Air Operations Command in Poggio Renatico (FE), wished to thank all those who accompanied him during his command, highlighting in particular “the close collaboration that has characterised relations with regional and territorial authorities for the flattering demonstration of closeness and friendship towards the Department.” Addressing the personnel of the Airport Command, Colonel Tudini, in view of the conclusion of a chapter he wished to define as “one of the most beautiful of my aeronautical life,” wished to underline “the pride of having been your Commander.” Colonel De Gennaro, the incoming Commander, comes from the Regular Courses of the Aeronautical Academy, Course Borea IV.
In 1987, he obtained his Military Navigator qualification in the United States (USA) and attended the Tornado aircraft conversion course at Cottesmore base (UK).
In 1988, he was assigned to the 6th Fighter-Bomber Wing (Ghedi), where he served for approximately twelve years as a Navigator/System Operator on the Tornado aircraft.
From 2000 to 2001, he held the position of Commander of the 72nd Missile Group in Bovolone (Verona).
From 2002 to 2003, he was assigned to the air planning department of NATO Combined Air Operation Centre (CAOC5) in Poggio Renatico, where, as Air Task Order / Master Air Attack Planner Chief, he was responsible for planning Allied air operations in the Balkan area.
Subsequently, until 2008, he was assigned to the IOC, as Head of the Force Generation Section in the J5 Plans Division.
During this period, he was frequently redeployed to Afghanistan to conduct strategic reconnaissance for the deployment of national assets to support the Afghan elections. He held the position of deputy commander of the advanced planning team for Operations “Praesidium” and “Nidus Aquilae” and the position of military assistant to the Regional Area West Coordinator.
From September 2008 to August 2012, he was assigned to the 3rd Planning Department of the Air Staff's aerospace instrument.
Col. De Gennaro has accumulated approximately 1500 flight hours on the Tornado aircraft. “I am about to face my new assignment calmly and with optimism – Colonel De Gennaro underlined in his speech – This is also thanks to the professionalism of the personnel whose capabilities I have had the opportunity to appreciate in these first few days.” Colonel De Gennaro then continued by assuring “full support to the 1st Aircraft Maintenance Department, which also operates on the Cameri Base, with a view to ever-increasing synergy between the two entities, respecting their respective peculiarities and traditions”.
Finally, General Leonarduzzi, in his speech, wished to highlight “the established aviation tradition of the Cameri Military Airport and its history, which today makes it one of the centres of excellence for the Air Force.“ The Commander of the 2nd Division then thanked Colonel Tudini ”for the masterful expertise and skill with which he led the Unit". He finally wished the new Commander a period full of satisfactions in view of the new challenges that will affect the Cameri site.
