Oct 31 2018

Welcome Italy!

The Italian flag flies over Baltic Barracks. On 31 October, Headquarters Multinational Corps Northeast personnel gathered for an official flag raising ceremony to mark Italy’s accession to our team.

Italy is the 26th state contributing to Headquarters Multinational Corps Northeast (HQ MNC NE). Captain Andrea Simoniello, who joined the J3/5 Division as Staff Officer Airspace Management, expressed his great pride in being the first representative of Italy aboard HQ MNC NE. While welcoming CPT Simoniello, Corps Commander Lieutenant General Sławomir Wojciechowski emphasized that every new member makes the eastern flank stronger and more secure.

General Wojciechowski also highlighted the importance of the Italian Armed Forces within the structures of NATO. Back in 1949, Italy was amongst the Alliance’s founders and has been fulfilling NATO’s core tasks ever since.

“We value Italy and recognize the unique contribution they make to the Corps as well as the expertise and insight their robust and professional armed forces bring.” – said the General.

Raising of the Italian flag to welcome Italy as a new contributing nation

Today, the Headquarters comprises 26 member states, reaching as far to the south as Italy and Greece and as far to the north as Finland, Sweden (NATO partner countries) and Norway. By including so many Allies, both HQ MNC NE and NATO demonstrate that any action taken against the nations of the Alliance’s eastern borderlands will be met with a collective and unified response.

Story by Multinational Corps Northeast Public Affairs Office