Camp Darby welcomes new Italian base commander

By Ms. Chiara Mattirolo (IMCOM)November 19, 2015

Camp Darby welcomes New Italian base commander
Col. Pietro Ribezzo, outgoing Italian base commander, pins the command grades on Lt. Col. Renato Vaira during the change of command ceremony held Nov. 10 at the Darby Military Community post gymnasium. In the Italian army, command grades are a specia... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

CAMP DARBY -- The Darby Military Community, representatives of Vicenza Military Community, and major military and civilian authorities of Pisa and Livorno joined at the post gym here Nov. 10 as Col. Pietro Ribezzo relinquished command of the Italian Base Command to Lt. Col. Renato Vaira.

Ribezzo is not only relinquishing command of the IBC after two years of service, but is also retiring from his military career. Following a brief invocation from Maj. Samuel Cabrera, Camp Darby chaplain, Ribezzo shared his thoughts.

"Today's ceremony not only marks the relinquishing of the Darby command to Lt. Col. Vaira, it also signifies my exit from the scene of this amazing and challenging life adventure that began 38 years ago on Oct. 8, 1977, when I was accepted into the Military Academy in Modena," said Ribezzo. "I spent 31 years with the Folgore Brigade. This has been a long, beautiful and intense time, as well as an unforgettable and unrepeatable experience that truly welcomed me into a special brotherhood that will stay with me always."

Ribezzo expressed his thankfulness to the Darby community for accepting and welcoming him from the very beginning of his assignment as IBC commander. He concluded his speech with a thought to Vaira: "To Lt. Col. Renato Vaira, my best wishes for success. I am sure this position will be a rewarding and satisfying command for him."

Gen. Giuseppe Adami, vice territory commander, also shared a few words.

"Your presence at today's change of command ceremony gives solemnity to this event and it is a tangible expression of the very good relationship of friendship and cooperation that exists here. It is founded on the mutual esteem, trust and respect that Col. Ribezzo has been able to create and nurture through his skillful and quality leadership of the Camp Darby Italian Base Command," Adami said.

The incoming commander, attended the 107th Officer Cadet course at the Infantry School in Cesano di Roma, started his officer career as commander of minor units within the 5th Paratroops Battalion "El Alamein" in Siena. Later, he held various positions within the Folgore Brigade and took part in multinational missions in Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Timor Est, Kosovo and Bosnia. His previous appointment was as G6 within the "Folgore" Brigade.

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Camp Darby welcomes New Italian base commander

Camp Darby welcomes New Italian base commander