Brig. Gen. Chris McKinney, deputy director of United States European Command (USEUCOM) and Brig. Gen. Alessandro Grassano, deputy chief of Italian Defense General Staff, III Dep, shake hands after signing agreement forms during the 50th Joint Military Commission at the Golden Lion, Caserma Ederle, Vicenza, Italy, Oct. 20, 2023 (U.S. Army photo by Antonio Bedin)

VICENZA, Italy – Italian and American base commanders and senior leaders met for 50th semiannual Joint Military Commission on Caserma Ederle Friday, Oct. 20.

This iteration, hosted by U.S. Army Garrison Italy in the Vicenza Military Community, included more than 50 leaders – with different backgrounds and experiences – who shared ideas and identified issues. They looked for way to resolve them together.

Senior U.S. leaders including, Col. Scott Horrigan, USAG Italy Commander and Col. Michele Amendolagine, the Italian Base Commander, took part in the two-day event at the Golden Lion conference center on Caserma Ederle. They also had a chance to visit historical sites in Vicenza and share in a social event.

Both Italian and American leaders face common challenges, whether that’s to do with construction or safeguarding the environment, access to bases and more, Horrigan said.

The civil and military leaders across the state to discuss the value of military communities during the 50th Joint Military Commission at the Golden Lion, Caserma Ederle, Vicenza, Italy, Oct. 20, 2023.

(U.S. Army photo by Antonio Bedin)

“We all want to resolve those challenges together and ultimately good discussion produces good conversation and good solutions,” Horrigan said. “That’s what we’re after in the JMC.”

The purpose of the JMC is to chart a way forward. For issues that require higher level attention, they pass them on to the appropriate echelon. In some cases, that means discussions at U.S. European Command, represented at the meeting by Brig. Gen. Chris McKinney, Deputy Director of Partnering, Security Cooperation, and Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction at EUCOM.

The 50th Joint Military Commission poses for a group photo at the Golden Lion, Caserma Ederle, Vicenza, Italy, Oct. 20, 2023.

(U.S. Army photo by Antonio Bedin)

“This was my fourth or fifth JMC, and it was a very nice moment where it was possible to meet all the other base commanders both Italian and American,” Amendolagine said. “It’s an important moment where we can share the situations and experiences that we face on our bases. It’s also a chance to exchange information and advice.”

Afterward, Amendolagine noted that progress was made.

“At every JMC, we make another step forward towards our goals,” Amendolagine said.