ROME (ITALPRESS) – The ceremony for the turnover of the Commander General of the Carabinieri Corps, which took place this morning at the “Salvo D’Acquisto” barracks in Tor di Quinto, saw the handover between Army Corps General Teo Luzi, transferor, and Army Corps General Salvatore Luongo, successor.
The event was sealed by the presence of Defense Minister Guido Crosetto and Defense Chief of Staff General Luciano Portolano.
The ceremony was attended by civil, military and religious authorities, representatives of the National Association of Carabinieri and Foresters on Leave, O.N.A.O.M.A.C. and some representatives of A.P.C.S.M.
Gen. C.A. Luzi, coming to the end of an “exciting military life that began 46 years ago,” remarked, “The Arma has allowed me to experience the magic of deep and authentic relationships with Carabinieri, whom I admire for their temperament and professionalism. I consider them true heroes of everyday life.” Then addressing the military, “do your duty and you will be rewarded with a thousand satisfactions, as it was for me.”
Concluding, “My greatest thanks to the Carabinieri Corps, which has pushed me every day to move my limits forward, to set myself new goals to face increasingly complex challenges.”
Army Corps General Teo Luzi is leaving command after leading the force since Jan. 16, 2021. He embarked on his military career in 1978, holding prestigious command posts for more than 18 years, including Commander of the Rome Center Company and the Provincial Commands of Savona and Palermo and the Carabinieri Legion “Lombardia.”
He served, from Sept. 6, 2018 to Jan. 15, 2021, as Chief of Staff of the General Command of the Carabinieri Corps. From January 1, 2023, as part of the annual rotating Presidency of EuroGendFor, he assumed, representing Defense, the Italian Chairmanship in the High Level Interministerial Committee (CIMIN).
General Luongo, speaking afterwards, recalled the figure of “a Marshal, Station Commander, who, despite having difficulty putting together lunch and dinner for his family did his best to host children in his quarters to offer them a hot meal. He was a true guardian of order, a straight-backed military man, but at the same time a man of extraordinary dignity, with an enormous attachment to his community and an innate sense of justice. That marshal brought together in his actions all the values of the Force, generosity, courage, empathy, and the attitude of being close to those most in need.”
Afterwards, Army General Luongo stressed that “the Weapon must continue to maximize the use of technology, both in preventive and repressive functions, also exploiting the real potential of artificial intelligence and improving the ability to govern the cyber space to fight crime.”
Then addressing the new generations within the ranks of the Force, “Let’s bet on our young Carabinieri, let’s incite them to change, let’s stimulate them to seek new paths so that every military member feels fully involved in a virtuous progress of growth.”
Finally, concluding, “In the wake of the centuries-old history of the Arma and the teachings I received from my masters, I will always be at the side of all Carabinieri who serve citizens with determination, diligence and constancy, because the Arma must continue to be a virtuous instrument for the construction of a more just society.”
The career of the new commander, General C.A. Luongo, born in 1962, began in 1977 at the “Nunziatella” Military School. He has held prestigious positions in the Carabinieri Corps, including Provincial Commander of Milan and Rome, Military Assistant and Field Aide for the Carabinieri Corps to the President of the Republic and Chief of the Legislative Office of the Minister of Defense. Since December 2023, he has been Interregional Commander Carabinieri “Podgora” and, since June 2024, he has been Deputy Commanding General of the Force.
He has received numerous commendations and honors, including that of Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, Medaglia Mauriziana and, most recently, Knight of the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.
General Luciano Portolano, Chief of the Defense Staff, then took the floor, who highlighted his pride in the Arma, a niche of excellence that has assumed a leading role in the field of modern training, advising, assistance and capacity building missions; as well as representing a world reference in the exercise of the stability policing function, including with the “CoESPU” Center of Excellence in Vicenza.
Finally, Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said, “A chapter in the history of the Carabinieri Corps comes to a close. Under the leadership of General Luzi, to whom I express my deep gratitude, we have seen a cutting-edge Benemerita, rooted in traditions, with “the Carabiniere” always at the center. To General Luongo the task of confirming the Arma as a garrison of legality and, at the same time, a spearhead of innovation. To all Carabinieri the applause, trust and gratitude of the Nation. There is no Defense without Carabinieri and no Italy without Carabinieri.”
In the morning, prior to the event, the two senior officers paid tribute to the Fallen by first laying a laurel wreath at the Shrine of the Unknown Soldier located at the Altar of the Fatherland and then at the shrine at the Historical Museum of the Arma, a symbolic gesture that underscores the importance of the sacrifices made by Italian military personnel for the defense and freedom of the country.
– Carabinieri press office photo –
(ITALPRESS).
