In a solemn international context, the paratroopers of the Folgore Parachute Brigade handed over command of the Italian contingent in Hungary to the 'Aosta' Brigade. This handover marks the end of six months of Italian command within the NATO mission 'eVA-enhanced Vigilance Activity', under the leadership of the 183rd Parachute Regiment 'Nembo' of Pistoia.
The handover ceremony, presided over by Rear Admiral Valter Zappellini, Chief of Staff of the Interforce Summit Operations Command, was attended by numerous Italian and Hungarian civil and military authorities, highlighting the importance of this mission for international security and cooperation.
Operation eVA, which stretches along NATO's eastern flank, from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea, aims to strengthen the Atlantic Alliance's deterrence posture in the face of potential threats. The 'Folgore' Brigade, during its mandate, has demonstrated exceptional operational capabilities, conducting almost 200 training and exercise activities, many of them with live fire, in close cooperation with the Hungarian, US, Croatian and Turkish contingents at Camp Croft.
A particular highlight was the exercise of Battlegroup Adaptive Hussars, which highlighted the multinational operational capability of the Italian contingent. For the first time in international Battlegroup exercises, the Folgore paratroopers performed a tactical airdrop, once again demonstrating their very high level of preparation and professionalism, underlining the crucial role of air forces in NATO's collective defence strategy.
The commitment of the Italian paratroopers was also acknowledged by the Hungarian military authorities, who awarded Lieutenant Colonel Salvatore Sotgiu, the surrendering commander, and Lieutenant Colonel Andrea Checcucci, Chief of Staff of the eVA Battlegroup, with the Hungarian 'Honours for the Partnership' medal.
The 'Folgore' Parachute Brigade leaves command after having significantly contributed to the NATO mission, strengthening relations between Italy and Hungary and between the allied forces. Admiral Zappellini underlined the excellent work performed by the paratroopers, confirming their professionalism and ability to operate effectively in a multinational context.
A key aspect of the eVA operation, which deserves special recognition, is the logistical effort made by the IT-NSE (Italian National Support Element). This component, dedicated to logistical support, played a crucial role in the construction and maintenance of the field infrastructure, essential for the daily well-being and operational effectiveness of the contingent. The IT-NSE personnel excelled not only in the management of living and operational facilities, but also in the maintenance of over 100 combat vehicles of various types, thus ensuring that the forces in the field could count on equipment and vehicles that were always efficient and ready for use.
This behind-the-scenes commitment enabled the paratroopers of the 'Folgore' Brigade and will continue with their successors from the 'Aosta' Brigade to operate under optimal conditions, confirming the importance of effective logistical support in modern military operations. The IT-NSE proved that the success of a mission depends not only on the skill and courage of the soldiers on the front line, but also on the relentless support work that ensures their operability.
