SHINDAND- Afghanistan, 28-03-12: At the military airport of Shindand, the
handover ceremony between Col. Luigi Casali (Italian Air Force), commander
of the outgoing team of advisers, and Col. Efrem Moioli (Italian Air
Force), the incoming commander, concludes the change between the the third
and fourth team of the Italian Air Force Airbase Support Air Advisory Team
(ASAAT), program that started over a year ago.

The ceremony took place at the presence of Col Salamuddin (Afghan Air
Force), the deputy Commander of Shindand Air Base, Col. John J. Hokaj,
(U.S. Air

Force) 838th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group Commander and Brig Gen
Chiapperini, RC West Commander.

Col. CAsali during his speech highlighted the daily work of his team,
aimed at developing leaders, and establishing enduring institutional
capacity in order to enable an accountable Afghan-led security.

The incoming commander of the 4th team of Italian advisors, Col. Moioli,
thanked Col. Casali for his work and reiterated its commitment to provide
continuous training and advising for the future.

The event was concluded with a short speech of Gen. Chiapperini, in which
he wished those present a happy return home, and stressed the importance
and commitment of the outgoing Italian team and the important achievements
that were reached thanks to their professionalism and dedication to the
project.

The team, embedded working embedded with the USAF 838th AEAG, has been
training and advising Afghan personnel at the airport of Shindand Air
Base, main training facility for the Afghan Air Force. In this context,
they have conducted activities such as the organization and implementation
of courses related to flight operations, infrastructure, communications
and Information Systems, Transport, Materials Management, Fire Emergency
Procedures, POL (Petroleum Oil Lubricants), Health, Billeting and food,
and base Security.

The mission started in Nov 2010, and is composed by 29 Italian Air Force
Officers and NCOs, which work as mentors and advisers for the AAF and were
qualified at the Center for Teaching and Managerial Education in Florence.
Italy, in cooperation with Hungary also provides an instructor team for
the MI 17 AAT program.