The ceremony for the change of command of the NATO Rapid Reaction Command in Italy (NRDC-ITA) took place today at Solbiate Olona (VA), in the “Ugo Mara” barracks.
General Lorenzo D’Addario has handed over command of the multinational command to General Gianluca Carai. He is now set to take command of the Italian Army’s Land Operational Forces based in Verona.
General Carai, on the other hand, is assuming his new position after ending his assignment at the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC), a British-led multinational command stationed in Great Britain.
Among the attendees of the ceremony were the Chief of Defence,** General Luciano Portolano and the Chief of the Army Staff, General Carmine Masiello**, along with numerous military and civil authorities, including the **Commander of NATO’s Land Forces** (LANDCOM), **General Cristopher Donahue** (USA) and **the Prefect of Varese**, **Dr. Rosario Pasquariello**.
General D’Addario, during his speech, highlighted how the succession comes at the end of a period of about three years being very demanding and full of satisfaction. “_It’s been an intense period with commitments and activities, but we saw the Corps efficiently completing each task and assuming the important role of NATO’s Allied Reaction Force (ARF) from 1 July 2024_”.
ARF is a direct force at a strategic level, with high readiness to operate in multi-domain contexts and can be deployed in a very short time frame. It is made up of force packages of varying sizes to reinforce deterrence both in peace and in crisis situations.
**The Chief of the Army Staff, General Carmine Masiello** stated the importance of the force: “_Your daily commitment allows the full achievement of institutional objectives. The Allied Reaction Force’s status is not optional: it is essential. Your efforts have strengthened not only national defence, but also the collective security of the Atlantic Alliance. Thank you, to the NRDC-Italy men and women, from the entire Italian Army._”
NRDC-ITA and the operational units, Divisions and Brigades, will soon be integrated under the command of the Land Forces, which will further improve the management of the Armed Forces’ activities.
The Army, as part of the redesign known as New Army Model (NAM), is adapting to the challenges of the current international scenario. Thanks to this ongoing adaptation, the Army is becoming increasingly organized and modern, with credible, real, and perceptible deterrence.
The celebration of this significant event represented an opportunity for the multinational community of NRDC-ITA to express gratitude to all the citizens for the sincere hospitality always guaranteed.
Source and photo credit @Italian Army-General Office of the Chief of the Army Staff/Public Information and Communication Office – Sz. PI
