Lieutenant Colonel Salvatore Occini takes command from Lieutenant Colonel Francesco Rossi
This took place on Thursday morning, 14 September, at Piacenza Airport Detachment, the change of command ceremony between the two Air Force Officers, the Lieutenant Colonel Francesco Rossi, outgoing Commander, and the Lieutenant Colonel Salvatore Occini, Incoming Commander.
The ceremony, presided over by Commander of Combat Forces, Air Division General Luigi Del Bene, was held in the presence of the Commander of the 6th Wing of Ghedi, The Air Force Department to which the Piacenza Airport Detachment is directly subordinate, as well as numerous civil, religious and military authorities. Among these are the Prefect of the city of Piacenza, Dr. Daniela Lupo, the Police Chief, Dr. Ivo Morelli, representatives of the Province, the Municipality of San Giorgio Piacentino and the surrounding areas, and the Bishop of Piacenza, Monsignor Adriano Cevolotto. The presence of numerous banners, including that of the city of Piacenza decorated with a gold medal for military valour, the Standards and the combatant and service associations further bore witness to the very strong bond that links the territory to’Blue Weapon.
The outgoing Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Rossi, in his farewell speech, reviewed the key events of his command period and, addressing the detachment personnel, said “You have continuously demonstrated professionalism, immense helpfulness, and resilience during a period that has seen you engaged on multiple fronts, particularly both during the COVID-19 pandemic emergency, and when, in August 2021, we provided assistance to Afghan refugees evacuated from their country thanks to the operation “Everything by the Eagle”. Continuing, he also recalled how the Piacenza Airport Detachment, despite the emergencies faced, has been able to fulfil its two main institutional tasks in recent years: to constitute a deployment base for operational components and to contribute to the enhancement of the historical aerospace heritage of the Air Force. The restoration of an aircraft is a clear example of this. FIAT G91, carried out by specialists from Piacenza, which took to the skies again during the Italian Air Force Air Show held in June at Pratica di Mare to celebrate the Armed Force's centenary.
The incoming Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Occini, in turn, when speaking, thanked the Armed Force for the trust placed in him by assigning him command of the Airport Detachment, recalling how “On 14 September seven years ago, all the Tornados of the 155th Flying Group took off for the last time from the S. Damiano runway to transfer to the 6th Wing in Ghedi. I was on board one of those aircraft, and to return home today, to the Piacenza area, as Commander, can only be a source of pride.”. Concluding, he then added “The projects under study – including the creation of an Air Force Flight Museum – will see us at the forefront ensuring the Air Force is brought to prominence.
It Colonel Luca Giuseppe Vitaliti, Commander of the 6th Wing of Ghedi, in his speech he stressed that “The handover between the two Commanders represents the essence of today's ceremony and constitutes an important and significant moment in the life of the Organisation. Through this changeover, the continuity of the Department's life and commitment in service of the Country is ensured, in a climate of renewed spirit of cohesion and collaboration. Col. Vitaliti did indeed stress how the maintenance of the efficiency of the systems and infrastructure of the site will become increasingly burdensome in the future.
The ceremony concluded with an address by the Commander of Combat Forces, Air Division General Luigi Del Bene, who, with these words, expressed his sincere appreciation to Lieutenant Colonel Rossi. “A command of approximately five years is not common. During this time, you have managed to create stability in the work environment despite numerous difficulties. […] I believe that looking back, you can be proud of what you have achieved together in this small but important part of the Aeronautical Military. To the new Commander, on recognising his capabilities and great motivation, which will serve him well to enthusiastically face the challenges of his new role, he offered a sincere good luck and the due reassurances. “Know that I and my Command are ready to support you whenever necessary.
At the end G-91R and the Tornado ECR Special colours 155° ETS displayed at the Hangar, before visiting an exhibition area where some historical aeronautical memorabilia of the Detachment are kept.
The Piacenza Airport Detachment, established on 1st September 2017 on the San Damiano site, is subordinate to the 6th Wing of Ghedi, which in turn is subordinate to the Combat Forces Command of Milan within the Air Force Command. In recent years, several projects have been developed concerning the Airport Detachment, and they are gradually shaping its future. Many initiatives and agreements have been made with companies involved in aeronautical development and the sector. Automotive who, through public tenders, have obtained the use of the airport's surfaces and airspace only when not engaged in the peculiar operational and training activities of the Department, for research, development and Testing. The most ambitious project that the Air Force is carefully considering is the creation of a Flying Museum at San Damiano, which, alongside the A.M. Historical Museum at Vigna di Valle (Rome), would allow visitors and enthusiasts to experience aerospace history firsthand, also through the opportunity to see maintenance technicians at work restoring historic aircraft so they can later admire them soaring through the air.
