The Aeronautical Geotopographic Information Centre has a new Director.
Handover to Aeronautical Geotopographic Information Centre (CIGA), in the presence of the Commander of the 9th ISTAR-EW Air Brigade. On Friday 16 September, the handover ceremony between the took place at the CIGA in Pratica di Mare Colonel Francesco
Marino and the Colonel Riccardo Di Paola.
During the ceremony, the outgoing Director, Colonel Francesco Marino, after addressing a dutiful and heartfelt thought to all those who fell in the line of duty, wished to “highlight the professionalism and dedication of the CIGA staff, its most valuable asset, who in recent years have contributed to the technological and logistical renewal of the Centre and to the development and implementation of new operational capabilities. In his farewell speech, he highlighted how the Cigarette it encompasses a diverse range of sectors, all characterised by extremely high expertise, relating to image data analysis, aeronautical cartography, the definition of flight procedures and airspace management.“Amalgamating such diverse specialist areas is not always straightforward, but it certainly offers the opportunity to create a mosaic of unique and very useful products in important decision-making and operational contexts“.
The incoming Director, Colonel Riccardo Di Paola, thanked the chain of command for the trust shown in granting him this prestigious opportunity and, regarding the evolution of the Centre and the development of new technical and operational capabilities, addressing the staff, stated “if we manage to do it with an innovative mindset, seizing what technology offers today and above all adding heart and passion, we will transform this wonderful challenge into an opportunity: that of contributing, through our commitment, to showing a virtuous and winning Air Force, an effective, efficient and modern organisation in a strategic sector for the country“.
In his speech, the Commander 9th ISTAR-EW Air Brigade, Air Brigadier General Danilo Morando, highlighted how commanding a Unit is a priceless experience for a senior officer, especially in a Unit such as CIGA, due to the complex and manifold activities carried out. In conclusion, addressing the Centre's personnel, he pointed out that “The CIGA will continue to be a centre of excellence, fully integrated into the national and international defence framework, working to provide effective support for its users’ operations both at home and in theatres of operations abroad, with a view to constantly improving their operational capabilities“.
The Cigarette is based at the “Mario de Bernardi” Military Airport in Pratica di Mare, Pomezia (Rome) and ensures support for air operations through the production, processing and dissemination of geotopographical and aeronautical information and imagery data from the reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition sensors of the Armed Force. The Centre reports to the 9th ISTAR–EW Air BrigadeIntelligence, Surveillance, Targeting, Acquisition and Reconnaissance – Electronic Warfare), whose mission is to conduct operational, intelligence and support activities in the ISTAR and EW sectors, by virtue of the assigned responsibilities, including in support of the joint, allied and coalition component.
