During the visit, the unique activities of the Department related to the international movement of Air Force materials were highlighted.
Accompanied by the Director of the Novara Territorial Office, Ing. Massimo Masetti, the Director of the Turin Territorial Office, Dr. Arturo Santise, and a group of collaborators and officials, the guest was welcomed by the Commander of the 1st G.R.S., Lieutenant Colonel Francesco De Simone.
The usual briefing on departmental activities of interest introduced a thorough examination of the various and complex customs issues concerning the international movement of Air Force materials, also in relation to support for Operations Outside National Borders (OFCN), for the benefit of the Armed Forces departments engaged in international missions.
There were also some in-depth discussions on the peculiar function of the 1st G.R.S. as a “Transhipment Depot” within the “EF2000 and Tornado Transport Network” (ETTN), which allows for the movement of components, materials, and equipment for the Tornado and Eurofighter weapon systems to and from Great Britain, Germany, and Spain.
Furthermore, during the presentation, the management of the Private Customs Warehouse was highlighted. This was established in 1993 at the 1st G.R.S. under the Consolidated Text of Customs Laws (TULD) for the temporary storage of materials in transit awaiting the completion of the relevant customs procedure. This is the only instance within the Armed Forces which, furthermore, was recently the subject of an ordinary visit by the Agency, concluding with a positive outcome. To mark the particular significance of the visit for the 1st G.R.S., Dr. Letrari placed his signature on the Book of Honour and received the traditional Unit crest. The 1st G.R.S. is integrated into the Support Services system of the Air Force Logistics Command, reporting directly to the Fiumicino Supply Technical Centre. Its duties include the receipt, dispatch, distribution, and customs clearance of material arriving from abroad and for military programmes also acquired from foreign countries. Since the 1990s, representatives from the Royal Air Force (UK), the Luftwaffe (Germany), and the Ejercito del Aire (Spain) have operated at the unit. These were established following the introduction of the Tornado Weapon System and the commencement of the Eurofighter programme.
