LAGO PATRIA, Italy – Ninety-seven students, the principal of the school, Dr. Eleonora Vastarella and nine teachers from the middle school "Don Salvatore Vitale” located in Lago Patria, Giugliano in Campania, Naples, Italy spent a day touring the facilities of Allied Joint Force Command Naples, Feb 20, 2017.
The students were welcomed and briefed by Dr. Diana Sodano, Community Relations Officer, about the structure, mission and goals of JFC Naples and were provided an overview of the new headquarters. As part of the presentation the students viewed a video about JFC Naples and its capabilities and then received a brief by Italian Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Luigi Verzelletti via Video Tele Conference on the Joint Operations Center (JOC) and their activities.
The program continued with a presentation by Anthony M. Quattrone, Ph.D., Civilian Human Resources Head, on the role of the NATO International Civilians in NATO.
The students were then greeted in person by the JFC Naples Post Commander, Italian Army Colonel Giancarlo Turco. During his welcome remarks Colonel Turco expressed his gratitude for such a large representation from the school and focused on the mission of the JFC Naples personnel.
Afterwards the students, who ranged in ages from 12-13, were granted a question and answer period with the Colonel.
The visit concluded with a walking tour of the base including the community center, gym, library and the pool providing the students with a better understanding of how NATO members live and work within their community.
This is part of the community relations campaign to establish a good cultural and social exchange with the external community and to strengthen the relationship with local and regional institutions.