The last Italian Commander to leave Afghanistan in 2021, together with his Paratroopers, in a noisy silence. A career dedicated to national and international security at the command of all airborne units, from the Parachute Platoon as a young Lieutenant at the 187th Regimentto the Command of the 186° Folgore Parachute Regiment by Colonel. As of yesterday, 23 October 2024, the Parachutist Brigadier General Federico Bernacca is the new AQUILA 1 (EAGLE 1)the Commander of the Folgore Parachute Brigade.
In his inauguration speech, General Bernacca promised continuity with the excellent work done by his predecessor, General Massimiliano Mongillo, emphasising the importance of willpower as the most valuable weapon for Paratroopers. The new AQUILA 1 recalled the places and feats of the Paratroopers forged in the African desert, driven precisely by that strength of will that makes them extraordinarily efficient even in the most complex situations.
Born in Asiago on 31 March 1973, Bernacca began his training at the Modena Military Academy, where he attended the 174th Course from 1992 to 1994.
During his career, he held positions of great responsibility in command of some of the Folgore's most prestigious units. After the Academy, he was assigned to the 187th Parachute Regiment Folgore with the position of Parachute Platoon Commander. From Captain, he moved to the 186th Folgore Parachute Regiment, where he commanded the legendary 15th Company "Black Devils". Between 2014 and 2015, he served as Commander of the 5th Parachute Battalion 'El Alamein', and subsequently, from 2019 to 2021, he led the 186th Parachute Regiment Folgore.
During this period, at the end of June 2021, he directed the return from Afghanistan of the last Italian troops, operating in an extremely complex and highly dangerous context due to the geopolitical scenario that changed in a few hours. For his contribution during the operation, Federico Bernacca received the Bronze Cross of Merit of the Army with the following motivation:
Commander of a regiment of absolute valour and crystal-clear military virtues, deployed in a foreign theatre of operations, he carried out the delicate task, in the most critical phases of the mission, with undisputed abnegation and extremely high command capacity. Following the sudden change in the international geopolitical scenario and the consequent withdrawal of the coalition troops, despite a continuous reshuffling of the National Contingent's redeployment plans, he synchronised and coordinated all logistical and force protection activities on the ground, managing to avert insidious crisis situations. Magnificent figure of an Officer, whose actions made a significant contribution to the success of the operation and to the prestige of the Nation in the international context.Â
Herat (Afghanistan), 16 January - 27 June 2021.
At the international level, General Bernacca has held the position of Deputy Commander of the NATO KFOR mission since 14 November 2023, taking over from Hungarian General Jozsef Szpisják, further enhancing his experience in multinational operations.
His appointment as Commander of the Folgore Parachute Brigade reflects his exceptional ability to lead men and women in complex operations, both nationally and internationally.
Congratulations on the prestigious assignment Mr. General, FOLGORE!!!
