Change of Command at the 183rd Paratroopers Regiment “Nembo”: Col. Alessandro Villa takes over from Col. Francesco Errico

The change of command ceremony at the 183rd Paratroopers Regiment “Nembo” took place between Colonel Francesco Errico and Colonel Alessandro Villa. The event, particularly significant for the military and civilian community, was held in the presence of the Commander of the Paratroopers Brigade “Folgore”, Brigadier General Federico Bernacca, the Prefect of Pistoia Dr. Angelo Gallo Carrabba, the Mayor Alessandro Tomasi, and the Veterans and Arms Associations.

The Handover

During the solemn review of the units and the flag-raising ceremony, Colonel Errico symbolically handed over the War Flag of the “Nembo” to his successor, sealing the continuity of command and traditions. The ceremony concluded with the signing of the change of command order and the salute to the assembled units.

Col. Errico's Tenure

In his farewell speech, Col. Errico recounted the highlights of his tenure, emphasizing the constant commitment, professionalism, and cohesion demonstrated by the Regiment's personnel in all operational, training, and community support activities.
Particular emphasis was placed on the mission in Kosovo as part of KFOR (Kosovo Force), where the “Nembo” operated in full adherence to the NATO mandate, contributing to the security and stability of the Balkan area, with results recognized at interforce and international levels.

“Pride, responsibility, and respect for the Flag: these are the values that the Nembo has expressed at home and abroad. The credit goes to our paratroopers, from the first to the last row.” – Col. Francesco Errico

The New Commander's Words

Upon assuming command, Col. Alessandro Villa thanked his superiors for their trust and addressed the Regiment's paratroopers, highlighting the priorities for the coming months: maintaining high operational readiness, realistic and integrated training, development of digital and C2 capabilities on the modern battlefield, and continuous attention to the human factor.

“The Nembo will continue to be a reliable and ready asset of the Folgore, aligned with NATO standards and focused on the preparation of each woman and man.” – Col. Alessandro Villa

The Attending Authorities

The ceremony was attended by Gen. B. Federico Bernacca, who emphasized the role of the 183rd “Nembo” within the Paratroopers Brigade “Folgore”, a leading asset of the Italian Army for readiness, projection capability, and interoperability. Also present were the Prefect and the Mayor of Pistoia, testifying to the strong bond between the Regiment and the territory.

The 183rd “Nembo” in Brief

Descending from a glorious tradition, the 183rd Paratroopers Regiment “Nembo” is an integral part of the Paratroopers Brigade “Folgore”. The Regiment is engaged in national and international operations, continuously participating in stabilization missions, national readiness (NATO/EU), and combined training activities, with a marked capability for aeromobile and airborne deployment.