Jan 19 2022

NATO Deployable Air Command and Control Centre welcomes new commander

RAMSTEIN, Germany - On January 18, Italian Major General Claudio Gabellini handed over command of NATO's Deployable Air Command and Control Centre (DACCC) in Poggio Renatico, Italy, to the incoming Commander, Major General Denny Traas from the Netherlands.

Representatives from across NATO and the Italian Air Force, along with the Netherlands Military Attaché, were in attendance when US Air Force General Jeff Harrigian, Commander Allied Air Command, officiated the change of command, in compliance with the anti-COVID regulations in place in Italy.

Having the ability to rapidly deploy experts and equipment to control Alliance air operations is essential to deterrence and defence

Major General Claudio Gabellini, who commanded the DACCC for three years, said: "Two years with a pandemic really tested and stressed our patience, capacity, resilience and commitment, and I am proud to say that the DACCC team dodged all the difficulties brilliantly. We kept honoring our main mission, deploying the unit wherever required within NATO's area of responsibility, demonstrating NATO cohesion and responsiveness."

During Major General Gabellini's command, the Deployable Air Control Centre, Recognized Air Picture Production Centre and Sensor Fusion Post (DARS) deployed to Romania, Greece, and multiple times within Italy in support of the NATO and Italian exercise programme.

With this came the delivery of the first organic deployable radar capability and Mode 5 interrogation capability. A remarkable leap forward was the inception, generation and delivery of the organic DACCC Air Command and Control Node exercise in 2021 that has significantly enhanced DARS training and thus its contribution to NATO."

Major General Gabellini will be remaining at the helm of the Italian Air Operation Airspace Command in Poggio Renatico.

"Major General Gabellini's leadership for the past three years has been instrumental in driving forward improvements to NATO's deployable air surveillance and control capability," said General Jeff Harrigian. He explained that having the ability to rapidly deploy experts and equipment to control Alliance air operations is essential to deterrence and defence across the Euro-Atlantic theatre. "We welcome Major General Traas to the AIRCOM team and look forward to his experience leading the DACCC in the dynamic security environment," General Harrigian added.

The DACCC provides a capability for deployable air surveillance and control of Alliance Air Operations. Its mission is to prepare elements for worldwide operational deployment and, together with the Combined Air Operations Centres, to deliver well-trained and specialised experts to augment AIRCOM during Allied operations and exercises.

Story by Allied Air Command Public Affairs Office

NATO's Deployable Air Surveillance and Control Capability deployed during a Ramstein Dust exercise in Latvia in 2017. 
Archive photo by Rien Torn.

Major General Claudio Gabellini, outgoing DACCC Commander, returns the unit banner to Commander Allied Air Command, General Jeff Harrigian, during the ceremony officially handing over his responsibilities. 
Photo by Leonardo Annunziata.

Commander Allied Air Command, General Jeff Harrigian, welcomes incoming DACCC Commander, Major General Denny Traas, and entrusts him with the unit's banner. 
Photo by Leonardo Annunziata.