Italy Assumes Leadership of NATO's Deployable Command and Control Centre

Italy assumes leadership of NATO's Deployable Command and Control Centre

On Thursday, November 21, General James B. Hecker, Commander of Allied Air Command based in Ramstein, Germany, presided over the change of command ceremony for NATO’s Deployable Air Command and Control Centre (DACCC). The event took place at the Italian Air Force Aerospace Operations Command (COA) in Poggio Renatico and was attended by General Luca Goretti, Chief of Staff of the Italian Air Force, and Major General Robert Adang, Deputy Commander of the Royal Netherlands Air Force. This ceremony marked the transition of responsibilities from Major General Denny Traas of the Royal Netherlands Air Force to Major General Luca Maineri, who also serves as the Commander of the COA. 

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The multinational DACCC staff plays a key role for Alliance air operations offering a deployable air surveillance and control capability. Photo courtesy of DACCC.

The DACCC serves as a crucial asset for NATO and its 32 member countries, playing a significant role in deployable Air Command and Control operations. In his remarks, General Hecker emphasized the important contributions the DACCC made under Major General Traas' leadership, describing it as a "vital resource for the Atlantic Alliance" and a key player in deployable Air Command and Control efforts. He also noted the operational involvement of the DACCC in various events, such as the earthquake response in Turkey, during the RAMSTEIN FLAG 2024 exercise, and in safeguarding NATO's eastern flank. General Hecker concluded by expressing his confidence in the new commander, stating that Major General Maineri's extensive experience makes him well-suited for the role.

In his farewell address, outgoing Commander Major General Traas thanked the attendees for their support during his command, stating that his experience would remain unforgettable. He pointed out that "the DACCC has played a key role within NATO, being deployed 75% of the time in support of operational and training activities." In his first address as DACCC Commander, Major General Maineri expressed appreciation for his predecessor's exemplary service and acknowledged NATO and national military leaders for their trust in him for this important position.

"The DACCC," Major General Maineri remarked, "is a unique projection enabler that has consistently shown its versatility and excellence, both in rapid deployments for NATO and in its essential role in training personnel for air operational planning." He also recognized the hard work and professionalism of the multinational DACCC staff, indicating that their contributions will be crucial in addressing upcoming challenges.