He began his tour March 28 at Camp Arena. The base is home to RC-West which is the Italian-led NATO command. Camp Arena also hosts the joint and Multinational Brigade based "Sassari.” Valotto’s visit concluded March 30 with his signing of the roll of honour.
After meeting with Brig. Gen Alessandro Veltri, RC-West commander, Valotto took part in a briefing on International Security Assistance Force operational activities. RC-West is responsible for ensuring ISAF’s mandate is met in Afghanistan’s western region.
The Italian army Chief of Staff toured projects throughout Herat. During the tour, the Commander of the Italian Provincial Reconstruction Team, Col.
Claudio Dei, explained some of the recent projects developed by Italian military and a civilian component of the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Dei said the projects are designed to enhance local development throughout the reconstruction process in Herat Province. The cooperative efforts also contribute to stimulating local employment, economic development of the area and trust for the local political and religious institutions.
Among the most recent projects started by the area PRT include one for the local security forces and for local government. The PRT and local government have recently turned over a project to the 6th District Police and a headquarters building for the Afghan National Army Air Corps. Area government buildings include the new “Big Hall” and Conference Hall for the Herat government, the provincial government and the Injil government.
After touring the Herat area, Valotto visited Camp Zafar – home of the 207th Corps of the Afghan National Army. There he met Col. Giorgio Cuzzelli, leader of the the Operational Mentoring Liaison Team, and the team members. The team is composed of Italian military and is focused on assisting in transactions with Afghan army units.
The day after meeting with Italian troops at Camp Zafar, Valotto visited Shindand and Farah, locations that host the Task Force Center, 1st “Bersaglieri” Regiment, under the command of Col. Francesco Maria Ceravolo, and Task Force South, 152 Infantry "Sassari" Regiment, under the command of Colonel Massimo Raccampo, respectively. At Task Force Sounth, the general attended the naming ceremony of the two new Italian Forward Operational Bases called "La Marmora" and "Dimonios".
During his stay in the region, Valotto met with several politicians and members of Afghan security forces. Each of them expressed their gratitude to the Italian people "for the encouraging progress in terms of safety, the growing support for the activities of reconstruction and development and the concrete support to governance in the region.”
Before leaving, Valotto greeted the military of Task Force North – 151st infantry Regiment "Sassari”, under the command of Colonel Sossio Andreottola. The general made remarks at the unveiling ceremony for three coats of arms for the Sassari Memorial. Members of the Italian army Brigade make up the bulk of units deployed in the RC-West area of operations.
"The success of the mission entrusted to you,” said Valotto, “is increasing the already high appreciation and unconditional confidence that the Italian army rests in you to plus the unanimous appreciation that armed forces of other countries have for you".
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