U.S.-Italian Air Forces welcome new ITAF commander

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Michael O'Connor
  • 31st Fighter Wing public affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  Italian and U.S. Air Force service members welcomed Col. Filippo Zampella after he took command of the Italian Air Force, "Pagliano e Gori" Airport here, during a change of command ceremony at Hangar 3 on Sept. 30.

Generale di Squadra Aerea (Lt. Gen.) Carmine Pollice, the commander of the Squadra Aerea in Rome, presided over the ceremony.

"Your strong presence here today is a visible representation of the unbreakable ties that connect the Unites States Air Force and the Italian Air Force here at this wonderful air base," said Colonel Zampella, a native of Pozzuoli, Italy. "Everywhere, we see Italians and Americans working together and one of my priorities is to maintain this [partnership] while respecting existing treaties and laws."

Colonel Zampella is responsible for the organization and operations of the "Pagliano e Gori" Airport and command of approximately 200 assigned members. The new commander is also responsible for the bilateral agreement between Italy and the United States which includes the control of all non-national and NATO operations, airspace, and overall security of the base.

Colonel Roberto Sardo, a native of Conegliano, Italy, is the out-going ITAF commander. Colonel Sardo first took command here in September 2005 and is now transferring to a NATO assignment in Kalkar, Germany.