Rear Admiral Giancarlo Ciappina

Commander of the Fleet Air Arm Italian Navy

RADM Giancarlo Ciappina was born in Palermo on August 14, 1972. He graduated from the Naval Academy in 1996, with a degree in Maritime and Naval Science. He received his Naval Aviator "wings" in 1998, in Corpus Christi (US - Texas), as “fixed wings” pilot, and successfully completed his training as “rotary wings” pilot in Pensacola (US - Florida), in 1998. He achieved combat readiness as Augusta Bell 212 Anti Submarine Warfare pilot and served, up to 2004, on board several ships of the fleet, being assigned to the 5th Helicopter Squadron, in Naval Air Station Luni (MARISTAELI LUNI). In 2004 and 2005 he worked at the Naval Air Experiments and Tests Center - in MARISTAELI LUNI-focused in air weapons and equipment testing activities and helicopter/ship interface. As operational AB 212 ASW pilot, he served as Flight Commander of Several Warships, among them Grecale and Scirocco Frigates and Patrol Vessel “Comandante Cicala Fulgosi”. From 2005 to 2006, upon completion of the Naval Command School, he served as Commanding Officer of Patrol Vessel Spica, being employed mainly in illegal fishing surveillance operations, support to illegal immigration monitoring and Naval Command School, operating within the Mediterranean Sea. From 2006 to 2010 he was assigned to the Air Warfare Department of the Italian Navy General Staff, where he was responsible for weapons, unmanned vehicle programs and for the NH90 helicopter acquisition program, as Project Officer for the Italian Navy. From 2010 to 2012 he was appointed Head of the Office and Flag Lieutenant to the Chief of the Italian Navy. From 2012 to 2013 he served as Head of the Office of the Undersecretary of State for Defense, within the Cabinet of the Italian Minister of Defense. From 2013 to 2014 he served as Assistant to the Undersecretary of State for Defense, within the Cabinet of the Italian Minister of Defense. From 2014 to 2015 he served as Flag Lieutenant to the Italian Minister of Defense. From 2015 to 2016 he served as Commanding Officer of ASW FREMM Frigate “Virginio FASAN”, mainly detached in the Mediterranean Sea during “Mare Sicuro” national operation and NATO Active Endeavor Operation. From 2016 to 2019 he’s been Head of the Office of the Deputy Chief of the Italian Navy and Head of the General Secretariat of the Italian Navy General Staff and, in 2020, he’s been Head of the Office for Outer Space and Innovative Technologies, at the Italian Navy General Staff, participating in the Joint Board for the innovation of the Defence, estabilished by the Chief of Italian Defence. From 2020 to 2021 he served as Commanding Officer of the Italian Navy Flagship, the Aircraft Carrier Cavour, under his command, ITS Cavour was detached in Norfolk for the “Ready For Operation” campaign, aimed at the certification of the Carrier to operate the 5th generation of VSTOL jet, F-35B. From September 2021 to the 15th June 2023 he’s been the executive Assistant to the Chief of the Italian Navy. From June 16th 2023 he is the Director of the Naval Aviation Department at the Italian Navy General Staff and Commander of the Italian Fleet Air Arm . He’s been promoted Rear Admiral (LH) on January 1 st, 2022.