Spain assumed command of the Spanish-Italian Amphibious Force (SIAF) and the Spanish-Italian Landing Force (SILF) during a change of command ceremony on board the aircraft carrier ‘Giuseppe Garibaldi’ at Mar Grande de Tarento Naval Base (Italy) held on July 31. The ceremony was presided over by the Spanish Fleet Commander and his Italian counterpart.
After two years of Italian command, Rear-Admirals Enrico Credentino and Pasquale Guerra handed over the command of the SIAF and the SILF to Spanish Rear-Admiral Pedro Ángel García de Paredes and Marine Corps Brigadier General Jesús Manuel Vicente, respectively.
The SIAF was set up in 1996 to increase cooperation in Defense issues between Spain and Italy in the sphere of international security. Its mission is to contribute to common defense missions and peace-keeping and humanitarian aid operations, all within EU and NATO frameworks.
The SIAF is made up of a naval component, whereas the SILF is organized around a Landing Force. The former is responsible for the embarkation, transport and landing of an amphibious force with its necessary support elements; and the latter is in charge of all military operations ashore.
The Spanish-Italian Amphibious Force has a standing command structures on the one hand, and the corresponding assigned force elements on the other. Every two years, the command of the SIAF and SILF rotates between the two nations.
[mappress] Press release, August 1, 2013; Image: Spanish Navy