The ceremony of succession to the summit of the G7 took place on Tuesday, June 24, in Milan. Air Squad Command and 1st Air Region. The Air Force Corps General Silvano Frigerio he has officially taken command, taking over from the Air Marshal Alberto Biavati, At the end of three years characterized by significant operational, structural and institutional changes.
The ceremony was presided over by Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Air Squadron General Antonio Conserva, In the presence of the highest civil, military and religious authorities of the territory.
The event, rich in symbolic meaning, marked the continuity in the leadership of the CSA and 1aR.A., one of the three Command Headquarters of the Armed Forces, responsible for the planning, preparation and deployment of the Air Force. To add solemnity to the ceremony, the presence of the glorious War Flag of the 51st Squadron of Istrana, emblem of the values of heroism, discipline and dedication that distinguish the Italian aeronautical tradition.
The formation also included the Fanfara and the staff of the CSA and 1aR.A., the governors of the Lombardy Region and the City of Milan, decorated with a gold medal for military valor, and the badges of the Combatant and Armed Associations, as a testament to the strong bond with the City of Milan and the local community.
In his welcoming speech, the General Biavati He expressed gratitude for the path he has taken and pride in the achievements achieved during his term of office: “Performing the duties of Commander of the CSA and 1st RA has been an honor and a responsibility of the highest profile for me. In these three years we have faced significant challenges, including the relocation of the Command headquarters to Milan, and we have actively contributed to international missions, multinational exercises, operational and humanitarian activities.”Addressing the staff, he then emphasized: “You have been the protagonists of years of unremitting operational activity, technological evolution, and challenges managed with rigour and vision. Every achievement achieved is the result of teamwork, your dedication, and professionalism, which I have had the privilege of leading.”.
It General Frigerio, In taking up the mantle, he expressed a strong sense of responsibility in taking on the task: “The responsibility I feel is great, but so is my determination to honor it with all my energy to serve the Armed Forces to the best of my ability, aware that the true strength of a Commander lies in the men and women who have the honor to lead.”He then continued: “Every day we will have to live up to expectations, always aim for excellence, and, above all, we will have to act on a daily basis with the authority of example.”At the conclusion of the speech, General Frigerio wanted to thank General Biavati: “Thank you for entrusting me with the leadership of a solid Air Force Command capable of fulfilling its mission, and of a Regional Command rooted in the territory, which maintains a wonderful relationship with all the local institutions.”.
Then spoke the Chief of Staff of the Air Force General of S.A. Antonio Conserva: “The Air Force Command and 1st Air Region is The operational arm through which the Armed Forces express aerospace power in all its declinations, operating effectively in the current crisis scenarios in full synergy with the other Armed Forces and national institutions. Its fundamental institutional task is to ensure the training and readiness of the Air Force forces, in full coherence with the mission of a modern and integrated military instrument. The Air Force Team is the highlight of the Armed Forces, its readiness and deterrence capabilities are the qualities that are needed at this time of international tensions, because we are able to maintain aerial surveillance of our skies and NATO airspace 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This handover of responsibilities between two officers of proven experience and extraordinary qualities – he continued the Gen. Conserva – it is a moment of great importance. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to General Biavati for the excellent work and significant results achieved during his command, including the introduction of new aircraft and the enhancement of intelligence, data collection, and defense capabilities. My best wishes go to General Frigerio for this new and challenging role. I am confident that both of them will continue to lead with the professionalism and dedication that have always distinguished them in serving the country.”.
The ceremony represented a high-profile institutional moment, reaffirming the founding values of the Air Force: sense of duty, spirit of service and dedication to the Nation. These are core principles that inspire the daily work of the men and women in uniform, both at home and beyond the national borders.
It Air Force Command and 1st Air Region It represents the core of the operational component of the Air Force. It is responsible for generating aerospace capabilities, maintaining the readiness of operational units, and supporting missions domestically and internationally, including inter-service and NATO operations. Its action also extends to cooperation in cases of civil emergencies. As of October 1, 2024, the Command has moved its headquarters from Rome to Milan, marking a significant shift in the reorganization of the Armed Forces and strengthening a historic bond with the Lombard capital. This year marks the centenary of the Air Force’s presence in the Lombard territory: a milestone that attests to the deep integration between the Armed Forces, the institutions, and the citizenry.
