The Italian contingent based on the Taurinense Alpine Brigade, framed for seven months in the NATO Battlegroup deployed on the south-eastern flank of the Atlantic Alliance for Operation Enhanced Vigilance Activity (eVA), was formally replaced this morning by the incoming contingent, composed of about 260 soldiers of the Julia Alpine Brigade.
The so-called Transfer of Authority (ToA) ceremony was chaired by the Operational Commander of the Joint Army Corps General Francesco Paolo Figliuolo. Many civil and military authorities were present, including the Ambassador of Italy to Hungary Manuel Jacoangeli, the Deputy Commander of the Hungarian Armed Forces General Zsolt Sandor, the Commander of the Taurinense General of Brigade Nicola Piasente and all the Commanders of the contingents of the Allied countries contributing to the NATO eVA Battlegroup.
“This mission,” said General Figliuolo, “was launched seven months ago with the clear intention of giving an immediate and effective response to a threat that, since February 24 last year, has loomed over those values of freedom and democracy that today are being questioned as never before on our continent. When you return to Italy, to your loved ones, your families, your colleagues who are waiting for you in your homeland, be proud and aware of having carried out your duty in the best possible way”.
The symbolic passage of the troucet of the contingent from Lieutenant Colonel Fortunato Sion to the parigrado Massimiliano Careddu has sanctioned in fact the rotation between the two Alpine contingents.
Many operational results were achieved by Taurinense personnel during the seven months of operation. Since July 2022, 145 joint and multinational training activities have been conducted, side by side with the Hungarian, US and Croatian allies present in the area of operations.
Also important was the logistical effort supported by the first Italian contingent in Hungary during its mandate. The Alpini of Taurinense have built in just one week the field structures that have welcomed the 260 men and women of the national contingent, making continuous improvements to the camp in the months. More than 700 corrective and maintenance interventions were carried out on the main weapon systems and radio equipment and on the over 100 combat vehicles supplied.
The personnel of the Taurinense, in particular of the 3rd Alpini Regiment, the 1st Mountain Artillery, the Nizza Cavalleria (1st) and the 32nd Guastatori, will return in the coming days to their respective permanent offices.
The units of Julia, with men and women of the 8th Alpine Regiment, the 3rd Mountain Artillery, the Piemonte Cavalleria (2nd) and the 2nd Genio Guastatori, now have the task of continuing with operational and training activities on the eastern flank of the Alliance.
Follow us on our Telegram channel