Operation Commander Rear Admiral (UH)Marco CASAPIERI
Rear Admiral Marco Casapieri was born in Livorno on August 21, 1972.
He joined the Italian Naval Academy in October 1991 and was appointed Ensign in 1994. His first assignment was on board ITS Urania from 1995 to 1996. After qualifying as a Surface Warfare Officer, he served on board ITS Libeccio in 1996, taking part in Operation Sharp Guard
In 1997, he attended the U.S. Navy Flight School in Pensacola, Florida, where he earned his wings as a Naval Aviator in 1998. Upon returning to Italy, he was assigned to Naval Air Station (NAS) Catania, where he completed the flight training program, flying the SH-3D helicopter and qualifying as Limited Combat Ready in Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) in 1998.
From 1999 to 2004, he served as an Amphibious Operations Pilot with the 4th Helicopter Squadron at NAS Grottaglie, qualifying as Combat Ready and Instructor Pilot. During this time, he participated in Operations Joint Guardian, Enduring Freedom, and Antica Babilonia, accumulating over 1,600 flight hours.
From September 2004 to September 2005, he served as Commanding Officer of the Italian Patrol Vessel Libra.
From 2005 to 2008, he held the position of Project Officer for the Joint Strike Fighter program at the Naval Aviation Department of the Italian Navy General Staff in Rome.
In September 2008, as a Lieutenant Commander, he was appointed Commanding Officer of the “Mirmidoni” Midshipmen Course at the Italian Naval Academy.
After attending the 13th Joint Superior Officer Staff Course (2010–2011), he served as a tutor for the 14th Course at the Defence Advanced Studies Center in Rome (2011–2012).
From July 2012, he was appointed Head of the Aeromaritime Experimental Center of the 6th Naval Aviation Department at NAS Luni.
From September 2013 to September 2014, he served as Commanding Officer of ITS Bergamini and participated in the “Sistema Paese in Movimento” campaign with the 30th Naval Group.
From September 2014 to December 2018, he served at the Navy General Staff, progressively holding the positions of Head of the New Programs Office and Deputy Chief of the Naval Aviation Department.
Promoted to Captain in January 2019, he served until September 2020 as Commanding Officer of the Italian Navy Aircraft Carrier Cavour.
From September 2020 to June 2021, he served as Head of the Space and Technological Innovation Office at the Italian Navy General Staff.
Since July 7, 2021, he has held the positions of Director of the Naval Aviation Department at the Italian Navy General Staff and Commander of the Italian Navy Fleet Air Arm
From September 2023, Rear Admiral Casapieri was appointed Deputy Head of Cabinet for the Minister of Defence
From 12th September 2025, he is the Operation Commander of EUNAVFOR MED Operation IRINI.
Honours and Awards:
- Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
- Long Air Navigation Medal (20 years)
- Long Service Cross of Merit (40 years)
- Commemorative Cross for international security and peacekeeping operations in Afghanistan
- Commemorative Cross for peacekeeping operations in Kosovo
- Commemorative Cross for international relief activities in Iraq
- Certificate of Public Merit from the Civil Protection Department
- Long Service Medal for duty at Central Headquarters
- Medal for duty at the Ministry of Defence
Rear Admiral Marco Casapieri holds Master’s Degrees in Maritime and Naval Sciences and in Political Sciences.
He is married to Mrs. Alessandra and has two children, Giulia and Luca.
