Today, April 28, 2025, at 6:30 PM, Major General Enrico Celentano made his last jump towards the sky.
Born on September 18, 1943, in the V “Ponte” District of Rome, Enrico Celentano belonged to a family deeply connected to the world of airborne troops: his father had served as a Conscript Paratrooper in the “NEMBO” Division during World War II. Raised among the stories and values of the parachuting tradition, Celentano embraced the Ideal of Military Parachuting from a young age.
On November 9, 1958, he obtained the Parachute Jump Qualification at the Guidonia airport, near Rome, the first step in a long journey of absolute dedication to the Homeland. In 1964, he began his path at the Military Academy of Modena (21st Course), continuing at the School of Application of Arms in Turin. In an era when it was not possible to directly access the Folgore, he was assigned to the Bersaglieri. He attended the Technical Application Course in Caserta and the 17th Ardimento Course at the Infantry School of Cesano in Rome, ranking first and thus earning his passage to the Operational Units of the Armed Forces.
From that moment, General Celentano's career was distinguished by high-profile assignments. He held key roles, including:
- Commander of the 1st Company of the Military Parachuting School in Pisa (1970-1973);
- Commander of the 4th "Falchi" Company of the 2nd Par. Battalion "Tarquinia" (1970-1973);
- Officer in charge of Operations and Training of the II Battalion of the 1st Paratrooper Regiment in Livorno (1973 - 1974);
- Founder and Commander of the Paratrooper Reconnaissance Company, an autonomous unit directly under the Brigade Command, in the locations of Pisa (1975 – 1977) and Siena (1977 – 1980).
During the 1980s and 1990s, his experience further expanded. He attended the Staff College courses at the War School in Civitavecchia and served as Officer in charge of Operations and Alerts at the Defense General Staff. In 1987, he assumed command of the 2nd Paratrooper Battalion "Tarquinia", and in 1992 he took command of the 186th Paratrooper Regiment "Folgore", leading it in the "Vespri Siciliani" Operations in Palermo and "Ibis" in Somalia, missions that saw him engaged for over nine months in complex operational areas.
In the period 1997–1999, he held the prestigious position of Commander of the Paratrooper Brigade "Folgore".
Parallel to his operational career, General Celentano earned a Degree in Strategic Sciences and enriched his technical-military profile with paratrooper certifications from Germany, the United States (both Army and Marines), and Canada.
In 2001, having reached the age limit for his rank, he moved to Auxiliary and subsequently to the Reserve.
Without children, he dedicated his entire life to the training and moral and professional growth of young generations of Soldiers, imparting values such as courage, discipline, and a sense of belonging.
Retired in Orli di Casole d’Elsa, a small village nestled in the Tuscan countryside, he lived with his wife Rita and his faithful dog Lasco, in a place chosen not by chance: at 420 meters above sea level, almost the same altitude as a static line jump.
As reported on the ANPd'I website, by General Bertolini, Celentano passed away after the worsening of a serious illness, against which he had fought for years and which recently forced him to be hospitalized 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 continue to live on in future generations of Paratroopers, guardians of those values that the General honored throughout his life.
FOLGORE Commander Celentano!
Comments (7)