The handover of command of the 1st Aircraft Maintenance Department to Col. Sciorella was presided over by General D.A. Leonarduzzi. At the ceremony were present the local authorities, including the Prefect of Novara, Dr. Francesco Paolo Castaldo, the Mayor of Cameri, Architect Rosa Maria Monfrinoli, the President of the Province of Novara, Engineer Diego Sozzani, as well as representatives of the main organizations of the municipalities of Bellinzago Novarese and the City of Novara. Representatives of the Arms Associations and the aeronautical industries with which the Department has daily relations, as well as local socio-economic organizations, also participated. Col. Sciorella, the outgoing Director destined to take up the position of Chief Division at the Directorate of Aeronautical Armaments, thanked all those who accompanied him during his command, emphasizing in particular “the close collaboration that characterized the relations with the Bodies and Commands of the Defense Administration. Thanks to this synergy, it was possible to achieve important results“. Colonel Guercio, in turn, highlighted the “The fundamental importance of teamwork, focusing not so much on the results but on the effects of the results, in order to direct the commitment, determination, and sacrifices of all personnel towards the activities most significant for the Armed Forces“Finally, General Leonarduzzi, during his speech, emphasized “the close connection with the social fabric, evidenced by the large presence of local authorities“. The Commander of the 2nd Division, therefore, thanked Colonel Sciorella “for the level of excellence achieved by the Department and for the results achieved in the complex management activities of the Tornado and Eurofighter weapon systems“Wishing the new Director all the best in his future work, which will lead the Department to confront even more ambitious programs. Colonel Guercio comes from the “Centauro IV” course at the Air Academy.
He obtained a degree in Aeronautical Engineering in 1988, a PhD in the discipline of “Operational Research” from the University of Rome “La Sapienza” in 2000, a Master’s degree in International Strategic and Military Studies from the Centre for Advanced Studies in Defence (CASD) in Rome in 2006, and a Master’s degree in Procurement Management from the University of Rome ”Tor Vergata” in 2009. He has also attended several courses in the field of the Armed Forces and external training institutions, such as the Command Course at the Institute of Military Aeronautics of Florence, the 8th Higher Course in Inter-Service Staffing at the CASD, courses on quality and on specific technical and management subjects. In January 1989, he was assigned to the Experimental Flight Department and obtained the qualification of Experimental Systems Engineer at the “R.A.F. College of Cranwell” in 1990. Appointed to the Air Staff 4th Department, he was responsible for the planning of the activities of the armament programs and the Tornado and AMX aircraft. In 2010, with the rank of Colonel, he was transferred to the Directorate of Aeronautical Armaments, where, as Head of Division, he was responsible for the contracting activities for the acquisition of avionics and armament systems.
