On the summer solstice day, Vice Admiral Valter Girardelli ends his active duty and hands over to Vice Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, in a solemn ceremony held at Palazzo Marina in Rome.

At the end of 45 years at the service of the country, Admiral Girardelli says goodbye to the whole Navy crew with these words: "Today's ceremony must not be a point of arrival but a starting point, both for protagonists and, above all, for the Italian Navy. Protagonists are passing, while the Italian Navy, its men and women as well as its equipment remain and are the future of the Armed Forces".

On the 30th anniversary of the Navy air carrier capability, a Naval Aviation admiral takes the lead in the Naval Service.

Vice Admiral Cavo Dragone was one of the first to operate AV8B Harriers - onboard aircraft carrier Garibaldi - the STOVL aircraft delivered in 1991 in the US that marked a turning point in the development of the Italian Navy, enhancing its capabilities at the service of the country.

Vice Admiral Cavo Dragone was then the first Commanding Officer of the Embarked Aircraft Group (GRUPAER) and later of aircraft carrier Garibaldi. He was then Naval Air Force Commander, and Commanding Officer of the Livorno Naval Academy. He also commanded the Italian Navy Operational Raiders and Divers Group (COMSUBIN). His lately served in a joint assignment, as Italian Joint Operations Headquarters Commander. As stated by the Chief of the Italian Defence, General Enzo Vecciarelli:

"The daily commitment of our sailors has met and meets global security and stability requirements… Today, while the Mediterranean is more than ever at the centre of the world's geopolitical scene, the Italian Navy has been playing a key role in safeguarding national interests".

At the end of the handover/takeover ceremony, in the beautiful setting of the yard at Palazzo Marina, the four-star flag of Vice Admiral Girardelli was lowered to hoist the ensign of the new Chief of the Navy, in the presence of Defence Minister, Elisabetta Trenta, and military and political authorities.

In her speech, Minister Trenta, addressing Admiral Girardelli, said: "Admiral Girardelli, you spent all your life uninterruptedly serving our nation, commanding a “ship" that is present in all the world's seas and oceans, protecting national interests".  Then, speaking to the new Chief of the Navy, she said: "Admiral Cavo Dragone, today you are entrusted with the Italian Navy, with its women and men. I am sure that the route to follow is already clear in your mind, as well as the way to trim the sails of this wonderful “ship". The helm is yours!".

In his heartfelt speech, Admiral Cavo Dragone dedicated "this important chapter in my life to my 38 mates of the Invicti Class of the Naval Academy who, on 3rd March 1977, perished in the air crash on the Serra Mountain along with an officer and the Vega10's crew. They departed too soon".

The wonderful sunlight of the brightest day of the year has thus welcomed the beginning of his assignment at the helm of the Italian Navy.