It Chief of Joint Operations (COVI), Army Corps General Giovanni Maria Iannucci, On 19 May, he met with the cadets, the attending officers, and the staff of the’Italian Air Force Academy of Pozzuoli, as part of an in-depth day dedicated to operational experience, leadership in complex contexts, and the human value of military service.
The round table also included Father Mariano Asunis, who has been close to military personnel engaged in international missions for years. The discussion offered the Academy attendees direct insight into the transition from training to operational reality and the relationship between command, responsibility, and trust.
During the dialogue, General Iannucci recalled the role of COVI which element of operational synthesis of the national military instrument, dwelling on the experiences that shape a Commander, on Lesson Identified contemporary conflicts and the process through which the Defence translate what has been learned in operational theatres into doctrinal, training, and capability adaptations.
The round table also allowed for discussion on the evolution of operational scenarios and how the Italian Defence is adapting to a context characterised by conventional, hybrid and multidomain threats. Particular attention was paid to the reality experienced by personnel deployed on international missions and the relevance of the Southern front, with reference to the Sahel as an area of strategic interest for European and national security.
Father Mariano Asunis offered a reflection on human scale of service, gained through years of close contact with Italian soldiers deployed abroad. Her speech recalled the value of memory, example, and the responsibility of command, with particular attention to the ’man“ behind the uniform, especially in moments of greatest difficulty.
The second part of the activity was dedicated to questions from attendees, offering future officers of the Air Force the opportunity to engage with different yet complementary experiences: on the one hand, the operational vision of the COVI Commander, and on the other, the testimony of those who shared complex moments in crisis zones with military personnel.
The day was also attended by Commander of the Air Force Schools/3rd Air Region and Military Garrison of Bari, Air Chief Marshal Francesco Vestito. The Commander of the Air Force Academy, Air Division General Davide Cipelletti, thanked the guests for their contribution to the trainees' education, highlighting the importance of familiarising young officers with contemporary operational reality and the joint-service dimension of the national military instrument.
The visit of the COVI Commander and Father Asunis confirms the link between training and operational experience: a connection between the classrooms where future officers are prepared and the scenarios in which the Italian Defence operates every day, in Italy and abroad.
