General Piasente was born in Palmanova (Udine) on September 1st, 1971. He joined the Army in 1987. In 1994, after being appointed as an "Alpini" (Mountain Troops) Infantry Officer, General Piasente spent the first four years of his career serving in the "Monte Cervino" Alpini Paratroopers Battalion (later 4th Alpini Paratroopers Regiment), and as a Platoon leader at the Military Academy.
Following his promotion to the rank of Captain, General Piasente assumed command of the 36thCompany of the "Susa" Alpine Battalion before holding the position of Chief S3 of the 3rd Alpini Regiment, Pinerolo (Turin). During this time, he deployed to Bosnia (Operation Joint Forge – SFOR (2000)) and twice to Kosovo (Operations Joint Guardian - KFOR (1999 and 2001)). General Piasente took part in all the exercises conducted by the NATO Allied Command Europe Mobile Force - Land (AMF - L). He deployed to Afghanistan several times (Operation Enduring Freedom IV/ISAF), and in 2009, General Piasente was assigned to the General Office of the Chief of the Italian Army General Staff, Rome.
From 2012 to 2013 he commanded the "Saluzzo" Alpini Battalion, Cuneo. From 2013 to 2014 he was the Commander of the Alpine Paratroopers Ranger Battalion "Monte Cervino", Verona. Immediately after, from 2014 to 2015 he was deployed in Lebanon as member of the Special Staff of the UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander. He then served as Chief of Special Operations Section at the Office of the Deputy Chief of the Italian Army General Staff, Rome.
As a Colonel, on July 15, 2016, he served as Commander of the 3rd Alpini Regiment. In this role, he was deployed to Iraq (Operation Inherent Resolve), as Commander of the "Praesidium" Task Force located in the Mosul dam. Afterwards, he was reassigned in Rome in the Operational Command as Chief of Operations Office. As a General Officer, he was Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations at the Italian Army Operational Command (COMFOTER COE), Rome.
From September 10, 2021 to June 15th, 2023 he commanded the “Taurinense” Alpini (Mountain Troops) Brigade in Turin – Piedmont Region (ITALY). On June 30 he assumed the position of Chief of Staff NATO Mission Iraq (NMI).
Throughout his carrier, General Piasente attended various courses and acquired the Italian Army Ranger qualification (Special Operations Forces).
In particular, he attended:
- • the Italian Army Staff Course (2002);
- • the Command and General Staff Course at the National Defense University of BUCHAREST (ROU) (2004-2006); and
- • the 12th Advanced Joint Services Staff Course (2009).
General Piasente earned a bachelor’s degree in political sciences from the University of Turin and two master’s degrees: An International Strategic-Military Studies Master’s degree from the University of Turin and an International Strategic-Military Studies Master’s degree from the LUISS University of Rome. General Piasente speaks English and Romanian. He is married to Stefania, and they have three sons: Davide, Simone, and Riccardo.
Major awards and decorations:
- • Italian Army Silver Cross of Merit;
- • Two Italian Army Bronze Crosses of Merit;
- • Order of Merit of the Italian Republic;
- • NATO Meritorious Service Medal.