The ceremony of succession with General Tortora was presided over by the Head of SMA. Religious authorities, civil and military authorities of all the Armed Forces, the previous Chiefs of Corps, as well as a representation of the Officers of the Corps of Commissariats were present at the event.
General Tortora, who holds the position of Co-Director of the Institute for Advanced Defense Studies of the Center for Advanced Defense Studies, which he has held since September 1, 2011, expressed, in his farewell speech, the presence of “different and, among them, contradictory sensations”, On the one hand, “[…] the pride of having completed a long and complex career path that has enriched me professionally and personally”, from the other side,“The sincere regret of having to leave so many colleagues, collaborators and friends with whom, over these long years, I have been able to share the daily exercise, attentive and demanding, of the many activities of advice, command, training and professional development”. General Tortora then pointed out,”How important are cultural baggage and professional skills in achieving the assigned objectives, when these latter become increasingly qualitatively high and technically complex?”, In reality,“of a military instrument constantly evolving towards a new model that is increasingly streamlined, agile, ready to intervene quickly and capable of responding fully to every national and international need and challenge”. From this, General Tortora continued, derive the particular attention paid, in the performance of his duties, to training and updating, essential tools for “Overcoming the logic of employment and bureaucracy, opening the doors to that brilliant idea that the late Maestro, Aldo Maria Sandulli, had configured in the Immedesimazione Organica, in which the constitutive, firm, deliberate, innovative, responsible decision stands out, which looks only and exclusively to the Public Good”. General Tortora therefore wished the successor “every possible success and satisfaction, both professionally and personally,”, in the certainty of leaving “This heritage of men and women of value and of values, which you will know how to preserve and guide through the skills and virtues known and experienced over the years during our work together”. Finally, General Tortora thanked “all of them Each of you Commissioners and members of the Air Commission, without distinction of rank or legal status, whose knowledge and collaboration, whose friendship and esteem, whose affection and enthusiasm have been essential support to me, first as a person and then for my daily life and work”. He concluded his impassioned speech with a plea: “May the Virgin of Loreto protect you, protect you and grant you and your families every good! I bring you into my heart and with you the Air Force, with its many fallen soldiers in active service”. General Manna, after expressing his gratitude to the Head of SMA for the trust placed in him, assured in the performance of the delicate task “the utmost commitment and balance possible, in full respect of the objectives and provisions issued in the interest of the Armed Forces”,He stated that in years like these of cyclical crisis and the resulting heavy maneuvers, “We must not forget our status as military personnel, which requires unity and cohesion even in the most critical moments. Discipline, respect, dignity, and a sense of duty are the fundamental foundations of a component called upon in some cases to face extreme situations that often require extreme sacrifice”. Then addressing the Commissioners he asked:“to add to these principles professionalism, competence and a sense of responsibility in the use of public goods that are the result of the “taxing” contribution of the entire community”. In that context, the Commissioner must “to be a true professional, as well as a military officer, capable of dealing with all situations in the best possible way, highlighting, especially in so-called discretionary choices, professional preparation, logical thinking, along with balance and discretion, to ensure in every case the smooth functioning of the Administration in compliance with the law”, with the qualification that “These principles and these duties […] must be possessed primarily by those leaders who, with initiative and a sense of duty, set an example in the actions of direction and guidance that they are called to carry out”. After thanking General Tortora “for the precious teachings and the attention expressed towards me” and having addressed to him “Best wishes of health and serenity“He expressed hope,“that professional experiences in the field of training continue over time, so that young people can benefit from the extraordinary gifts of wisdom and culture”, concluding with “a special wish of good work to everyone”.
The ceremony concluded with the intervention of the Chief of Staff of the Air Force. General Preziosa, after emphasizing that the presence of the previous Chiefs of Staff at the change of command ceremony is a testimony of the “moral soundness of the Air Force”, he declared that “today two great Officers alternate,”, of a Police Commissionerate “other”Compared to his origins, he grew up on a path marked by an illustrious “Comrade”, Aldo Moro, a captain in 1943, of whom he recalled a written work that is still relevant today: the need for law not to be contrary to morality.“The Corps of Commissariats is one of the wheels of the aviation system […] it is the anchor of the clock […] it has the role of giving time to the life that flows with the administrative tasks” And in this time, the Head of SMA concluded, the Commissioners have demonstrated “to be operational, to have competence and passion for your Armed Forces, for our being and becoming”.
General Inspector-in-Chief Claudio Manna was born in Rome on May 22, 1949 and joined the Air Force on July 13, 1974 as a Lieutenant in the A.M. Corps.
It was assigned to the 46th Air Brigade in Pisa in 1975, where he held the position of Chief Administrative Service Officer in the rank of Captain.
In 1980 he was transferred to the Territorial Commissariat of the former 2nd Air Region as Head of the Administration and Treasury Office, in the rank of Major.
From 1984 to 1987, in the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, he held the position of Chief Administrative Service of RESCAM, currently COMAER, at Palazzo Aeronautica, before being reassigned to the Territorial Directorate of Commissariato of the former 2nd Air Region in 1987, initially with the assignment of Chief of the Casermaggio Office and, subsequently, Chief of the Viveri and Combustibles Office, where he remained until 1990, before transferring to the 4th Department of the Logistics Inspectorate A.M. until 1993.
From March 1993 he was assigned to the 1st Department of the State Military Headquarters where he held the positions of Chief of the Restav Section for Sub-Officers and, promoted to Colonel in 1996, Chief of the Economic Treatment of Personnel Office.
After attending the IASD and being promoted to Brigadier General, he served as Deputy Chief of the I Department of the SMD.
Since November 18, 2008, the Service of Commissariat and Administration of the A.M. Logistics Command has been assigned to take on the position of Head of Commissariat Department and Deputy Head of the Commissariat and Administration Service of the A.M. Logistics Command.
Since July 12, 2010 he has been assigned to the Office of the Chief of the Air Force Commissariat Corps as “In charge of the functions of Chief of the Commissariat Corps.”.
In 2011 he was promoted to the rank of Inspector General and since October 2011 he has held the position of Deputy Director General of the General Directorate of Military Personnel and President of the Commission for the Advancement of Sub-Officers.
On March 11, 2013 he was promoted to Chief Inspector General and assumed the position of Chief of the Corps of Commissariats of the Air Force, member of the High Commission and member of the Higher Advancement Commission, also retaining the position of Chairman of the Sub-Officers Advancement Commission.
He obtained a degree in Law from the University of Rome and a postgraduate diploma in European Studies from the “Alcide De Gasperi” Institute in Rome.
He obtained the qualification to teach Legal and Economic Disciplines in secondary schools and passed the exams to be admitted to the list of legal advocates (now lawyers) at the Court of Appeal in Rome.
He is awarded the following honors:
- Officer of the Merit of the Italian Republic;
-Mauritian Medal for Merit for ten years of military service;
-Silver medal for meritorious service to the Long Command;
-Gold Cross (40 years) for service with a star.
