General Celentano has passed away. Today the last leap into the sky of MAN FOLGORE
Today, 28 April 2025, at 6.30 p.m., Lieutenant General Enrico Celentano took his final leap into the sky.
Born 18 September 1943 in Rione V 'Ponte' in RomeEnrico Celentano belonged to a family with deep ties to the world of the air force: his father had served as Conscripted paratrooper in the 'NEMBO' Division during World War II. Raised among the tales and values of the aviolan tradition, Celentano embraced the Ideal of Military Parachuting from a young age.
On 9 November 1958 he achieved the Parachute Jump Qualification at Guidonia Airport, near Rome, the first step on a long path of absolute dedication to the Fatherland. In 1964, he began his course at the Modena Military Academy (21st Course), continuing on to the Weapons Application School in Turin. At a time when direct access to the Folgore was not possible, he was assigned to the Bersaglieri. He attended the Technical Application Course in Caserta and the 17th Parade Course at the Cesano Infantry School in Rome, ranking first and thus earned passage into the Armed Force Operations Departments.
Since then, General Celentano's career has been distinguished by high-profile assignments. He holds key roles, including:
- Commander of the 1st Company of the Military Parachute School in Pisa (1970-1973);
- Commander of the 4th 'Falcons' Company of the 2nd Battalion Par. 'Tarquinia' (1970-1973);
- Operations and Training Officer of the 2nd Battalion of the 1st Parachute Regiment in Livorno (1973 - 1974);
- Founder and Commander of the Parachute Explorers Company, an autonomous unit reporting directly to the Brigade Headquarters, in Pisa (1975 - 1977) and Siena (1977 - 1980).
During the 1980s and 1990s, his experience broadened further. He attended the General Staff courses at the War School in Civitavecchia, and served as Operations and Alarms Officer at the Defence General Staff. In 1987, he took command of the 2nd Parachute Battalion 'Tarquiniaand in 1992 he took command of the 186th Parachute Regiment 'Folgore'guiding him through the Sicilian Vespers' operations in Palermo e "Ibis' in Somaliamissions that saw him engaged for more than nine months in complex operational areas.
In 1997-1999 he held the prestigious post of Commander Parachute Brigade 'Folgore.
Parallel to his operational career, General Celentano achieves the Degree in Strategic Science and enriches its technical-military profile with the parachutist certificates from Germany, the United States (both Army and Marines) and Canada.
In 2001, having reached the age limit for the rank he held, he moved to the Auxiliary and then to the Reserve.
Childless, dedicated his entire life to the training and moral and professional growth of the younger generations of military personneltransferring values such as courage, discipline and a sense of belonging to them.
Retired in Orli di Casole d'Elsa, a small village in the Tuscan countryside, lived in the company of his wife Rita and his faithful dog Lasco, in a location chosen not at random: 420 metres above sea level, almost the same altitude as a captive launch.
Like reads on the ANPd'I websiteat the hands of General Bertolini, Celentano passed away after the flare-up of a serious illnessagainst which he had struggled for years and which had recently forced him into hospital. at the Hospital of Siena.
Today, the Paratroopers of Italy stand at attention saluting General Celentano, the eternal emblem of the purest Ideal of Italian Military Parachuting.
His example, his story and his teachings will live on in future generations of Paratroopers, custodians of those values that the General honoured throughout his life.
FOLGORE Commander Celentano!
Published by Condoralex
Born Alessandro Generotti, C.le Maj. Parachutist on leave. Military Parachutist Patent no. 192806. 186th RGT Par. Folgore/5th BTG. Par. El Alamein/XIII Cp. Par. Condor.
Founder and administrator of the website BRIGATAFOLGORE.NET. Blogger and computer scientist by profession.
