The replacement with Lieutenant Colonel Daniele Antonini was attended by Colonel Arturo Cattel, Commander of the Coordination Center for Radar Groups of the Air Force of Poggio Renatico. Numerous military and civilian guests, both NATO and national, attended the event. During his speech, Lieutenant Colonel Antonini outlined the highlights of his term of office, highlighting how “Thanks to the closest collaborators and the determined desire of the staff to assert themselves and reaffirm their Group identity, while increasing their credibility and prestige, ambitious and significant goals were achieved.”At the conclusion of his presentation, Lieutenant Colonel Antonini addressed his best wishes to the incoming Commander, saying that he was certain that, through his work, he would confirm the GRCDA as “An operational excellence department and the core of the future Air Defense”. Lieutenant Colonel Antonini will assume the position of Head of Operations, Employment and Training Section at the Radar Group Coordination Center in Poggio Renatico. Lieutenant Colonel Vergine, declaring that he is fully aware of the sensitivity of the position he will be assuming, thanked the Higher Authorities for the trust placed in him in assigning him the command of the GRCDA. He therefore wished that “Teamwork, so important in performing the service in the Operations Room, may help the Group win all the future challenges that will lead to the creation of the new national entity for Command and Control of Air Defense and the subsequent reconfiguration of the Agency.”At the conclusion of the ceremony, Colonel Cattel expressed his satisfaction with the results achieved by Lieutenant Colonel Antonini during his tenure, highlighting how the Group successfully addressed the most important operational commitments and expressing the hope that “The Group continues on this positive path“He then added: “The programs of the Armed Forces and NATO foresee for Pioppo operational responsibilities throughout the national territory. It is therefore important, I would say essential, that you become aware of your potential and ensure the utmost commitment during the growth phases of the Entity.”. Lieutenant Colonel Carlo Vergine, born in Taranto on August 4, 1971, began his career as an Officer in the Air Force by attending the 87th A.U.C. Course at the A.M. School of Application in Florence. After completing the Air Defense training course in December 1991, he was assigned to the 31st A.M. Radar Group in Jacotenente, where he ensured the execution of all tasks related to the operational functions of controller at air surveillance, fighter guide, and ’Fighter Allocator“. During this period, he was involved in the direct support of the Agency in the ”Deny Flight“, ”Deliberate Guard“, and ”Allied Force“ operations. From 1997 to 1999, he also assumed the position of Chief of Defense Section. In 2000 he was transferred to the 22nd A.M. Radar Group in Licola; in 2002 he was assigned to the ”NAEWF E3A Component in Geilenkirchen“ (Germany), with the assignment of ”Tactical Director“, accumulating over 1200 flight hours on the E3A ”Sentry“ aircraft, in addition to fulfilling the assignment of Chief of the Evaluation and Standards Section of the ”Flying Squadron 1“.
In 2005, upon returning from his international assignment, he was assigned to the Air Defense Operations Section of the COFA in Poggio Renatico as Head of Weapons Nucleus until November 1st, 2006, when he assumed the position of Head of Operations Office and Security Officer at the GRCDA. Throughout his career, he followed the entire training and educational process for Air Defense Officers, achieving, in addition to all the required qualifications, the following specializations: Instructor and Evaluator of Tactical Director of the E3A aircraft, NATO TACEVAL Evaluator, Instructor and National Operational Evaluator. He was awarded, among others, the following decorations: War Operations Medal – Speciality ’Electronic Warfare“, ”Joint Unit Meritoriuos Award“ awarded by the U.S. Department of Defense, Bronze Medal for Long-Term Command Meritorious Service.
Lieutenant Colonel Vergine is married and has two children.
