Colonel Mauro Macrino succeeds Colonel Franco Linzalone.
On the morning of Tuesday 10 September, at the Pantelleria Airport Detachment (TP), the ceremony took place marking the handover between Colonel Navigator Franco Linzalone, outgoing Commander, and Colonel Pilot Mauro Macrino, incoming Commander.
The ceremony, which was held in the presence of the island's civil and military authorities and the detachment personnel, was presided over by the Commander of the 37th Wing of Trapani, Colonel Pilot Daniele Mastroberti.
It Colonel Linzalone, at the end of his nearly three-year term, he admitted in his speech that “arrived on the island with some worries but with a great desire to get involved”, defining the Island of Pantelleria “an island that demanded but gave a great deal in return”He further pointed out that“For the base, it has been an intense few years from an operational point of view and from the infrastructure enhancement perspective.”remembering the strategic importance of Pantelleria for the Armed Forces for national interests and that“The base expresses a unique capability that enables the support of significant operational deployments, providing logistic and connectivity capabilities, which will be further enhanced in the near future.”.
It Colonel Macrino, in thanking the Armed Forces leadership for the trust placed in him with the conferment of the new and prestigious appointment, he wished to recall that “In light of the complex modern strategic scenario, we are all aware of the strategic importance this base holds for the projection of national and international interests towards the African continent and in the Mediterranean Sea.” And for that “Despite a portion of the works already being completed, the next three-year period presents itself as a particularly challenging time for the men and women of the Department, whose contribution will be absolutely decisive in guaranteeing and consolidating the achievement of new important capabilities.
He finally spoke Colonel Daniele Mastroberti che, after greeting the guests who also attended on behalf of the Commander of the 1sta The Air and Combat Forces Command Area, Air Division General Luigi Del Bene, wished to emphasize how the Pantelleria Airport Detachment has always represented a valuable stronghold of the Italian Air Force and how, thanks to its distinctly strategic nature, it plays a relevant role in the Mediterranean theatre, becoming a scene of decisive changes and the subject of significant investment. Continuing, he expressed his appreciation to Colonel Linzalone for what he achieved during his command, for the synergy created with the local area, and for the harmony he managed to develop within the Detachment among the personnel. Finally, he wished Colonel Macrino, the incoming Commander, a command period full of satisfaction and to all the personnel of the Unit and their respective families, a personal thank you.“The personnel are the moral pillar on which the Armed Force bases its operations.”.
Pantelleria Airport Detachment MissionTo ensure assistance to national and international military aircraft deployed or in transit, and to ensure and maintain the operational efficiency of the Organisation.
