Structure of the Italian Air Force

The article provides an overview of the entire chain of command and organization of the Italian Air Force as of 1 January 2018 and includes all currently active units. The Armed Forces of Italy are under the command of the Italian Supreme Defense Council, presided over by the President of the Italian Republic. The Italian Air Force is commanded by the Chief of the Air Force General Staff or "Capo di Stato Maggiore dell’Aeronautica Militare" in Rome.
The source for this article is the booklet "L’ORDINAMENTO IN AERONAUTICA MILITARE", which is published every year by the Air Force General Staff for the students of the Air Force Academy. The booklet for 2017–2018 in PDF-format can be found at on the website of the Italian Air Force
Chief of the Air Force General Staff.
The Chief of the Air Force General Staff heads the Air Force General Staff in Rome, manages the operational aspects of the air force, and supervises four major commands.
Air Force General Staff.
The following offices report directly to the Chief of the Air Force General Staff.
Deputy Chief of the Air Force General Staff.
The Deputy Chief of the Air Force General Staff manages the bureaucratic aspects of the Air Force.
Air Force Command Rome.
The Air Force Command Rome (COMAER), in Centocelle Airport has territorial and liaison functions for the city of Rome and provides administrative support to the air force headquarter and units based at Centocelle Airport and Vigna di Valle Airport.
Aviation Inspector for the Navy.
The "Ispettore dell’Aviazione per la Marina" (Aviation Inspector for the Navy - ISPAVIAMAR) reports to the Chief of the Air Force General Staff and the Chief of the Navy General Staff. ISPAVIAMAR oversees the technical and logistic aeronautical aspects, and the training of the Italian military's airborne anti-submarine forces. The inspector is a brigadier general of the air force, whose office and staff reside in the navy's headquarter in Rome. The only unit assigned to ISPAVIAMAR is the 41° Stormo AntiSom "Athos Ammannato", which is under operational control of the Italian Navy.
Air Fleet Command.
The Air Fleet Command (Comando della Squadra Aerea or CSA) controls all operative units, the intelligence, electronic warfare capabilities and the operational headquarter of the air force. The CSA ensures that unit is equipped, trained and prepared for combat duty and controls them during combat operations.
Air Operations Command.
The "Comando Operazioni Aeree" (Air Operations Command - COA) conducts all operations of the Aeronautica Militare. COA controls all military radar installations in Italy and its Air Operations Center commands and controls the defence of Italy's air-space.
Air Force Logistic Command.
The Air Force Logistic Command provides operational units with all the required necessary logistics, combat support and service support functions.
1st Air Region.
The 1st Air Region provides territorial functions and liaisons with communal, provincial and regional administrations, in the North of Italy.
Air Force Schools Command - 3rd Air Region.
The Air Force Schools Command - 3rd Air Region is based in Bari and responsible for the formation and training of all members of the Aeronautica Militare, and also provides territorial functions and liaisons with communal, provincial and regional administrations in the South of Italy.