Speakers

Lieutenant General Antonio Conserva has held the position of Chief of Staff of the Italian Air Force since 16 May 2025, leading 44,000 personnel in Italy and abroad. He oversees the training, equipment and preparation of the national airspace defence system, in coordination with the Chief of Defence Staff.

Born in Taranto on 12 January 1963, he joined the Air Force in 1982 and obtained his military pilot's licence in 1987. He served in the 21st Fighter Wing on F-104S aircraft, later becoming a T-38 instructor in the United States, commander of the 213th Training Wing and wing operations officer. He commanded the 36th Wing, flying F-2000 (2006-2008) and the Air Operations Command (2017-2019).

Senior staff roles include Head of General Planning and Transformation, Internal Control, Economic & Financial Affairs, and Planning, Programming & Budgeting at Defence Staff. He was Chief of Cabinet to the Minister of Defence (2021-2023) and Logistics Commander (2023-2025).

With over 3,000 flying hours, he holds degrees in Aeronautical Sciences, International and Diplomatic Sciences, International Strategic and Military Studies, and National Security Strategy. His honours include the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, NATO and EU medals, and the Medal of Merit of the United States Air Force.