U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa celebrates the 10th anniversary of Caserma Del Din Base

VICENZA, Italy -- U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), U.S. Army Garrison Italy, 173rd Airborne Brigade, Italian military and civilian leaders across the Vicenza community, joined the guest of honor, Paola Del Din, at the 10th anniversary of the opening of Caserma Del Din military installation in Vicenza, June 30, 2023.


"It is heroes and heroines like her (Paola Del Din) and her brother for which we can be grateful," said Wasmund. "We have to rely on our partnership to make sure we are ready to protect the freedom we enjoy."
By Staff Sgt. Solomon Abanda U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa Vicenza, Italy Jun 30, 2023
View Gallery
fallback
Gallery contains 4 images

VICENZA, Italy -- U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), U.S. Army Garrison Italy, 173rd Airborne Brigade, Italian military and civilian leaders across the Vicenza community, joined the guest of honor, Paola Del Din, at the 10th anniversary of the opening of Caserma Del Din military installation in Vicenza, June 30, 2023.

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Todd R. Wasmund, commanding general of SETAF-AF, kicked off the event by thanking guests for their attendance.

“We are so grateful to work and train here, which is all made possible by all of you, your leadership and your continued support,” said Wasmund.

Caserma Del Din is named after Renato Del Din, an Italian infantry officer killed during World War II and posthumously awarded the Italian Gold Medal for Valor. Del Din's sister, Paola, also fought as a member of the allied Italian resistance during the war, earning a Gold Medal for Valor.

Ms. Del Din honored her brother during the event by wearing his medal awarded for heroic actions in combat. Next to his medal, she wore her Medal of Honor featuring a parachute emblem which she called the "baby parachute.” This symbolized her seven combat jumps during WWII.

Prior to the war, Ms. Del Din graduated from the University of Padua with a degree in literature. Once the war started, she entered the ranks of the Venetian Resistance with her older brother, Renato. He would fall a few months later in Tolmezzo, during a daring action against a fascist militia barracks. After her brother's death, she became even more involved in the anti-fascist struggle. In honor of her brother, she assumed the name of "Renata," fulfilling numerous and risky assignments. She will turn 100 on August 22, 2023.

"It is heroes and heroines like her and her brother for which we can be grateful," said Wasmund. "We have to rely on our partnership to make sure we are ready to protect the freedom we enjoy."

Caserma Del Din is built on the former Dal Molin Italian Air Force Base which was vacated in 2008. Today, Del Din houses SETAF-AF headquarters, three battalions of the 173rd Airborne Infantry Brigade Combat Team, as well as the 509th Strategic Signal Battalion.

"I would like to thank Maj. Gen. Todd R. Wasmund for carrying out this important ceremony in the presence of the main local authorities," said Italian Army Maj. Gen. Ugo Cillo, deputy commander of Comando Forze Operative Nord. "[This is] a ceremony which further strengthens the bonds, friendship and mutual respect between Americans and the Italian community of Vicenza."

Distinguished guests included:

  • Dr. Isabella Sala, Deputy Mayor of Vicenza 
  • Dr. Salvatore Caccamo, Prefect of Vicenza 
  • Dr. Nicolo' D'Amico, Deputy Vicenza Chief of Police 
  • Dr. Luca Zaia, President of the Veneto Region 
  • Dr. Maria Cristina Franco, Vice President of Vicenza Province 
  • Dr. Gerardo Bonuomo, Former Italian State Police Officer Vicenza 
  • Ing. Leonardo Rubello, Fire Department of Vicenza 
  • Ms. Paolo Del Din 
  • Lt. Gen. (ret.) Enrico Pino 
  • Maj. Gen. Ugo Cillo, Deputy Commander of Comando Forze Operative Nord 
  • Maj. Gen. (ret.) Skip Gordon Davis, Former Deputy Commander, SETAF-AF 
  • Brig Gen. Fabio Majoli, Commander of Julia Brigade 
  • Brig Gen. (ret.) Edoardo Maggian, Former Italian Base Commander/DCOS/SENITOF 
  • Col. Giuseppe Moscati, Commander Carabinieri, Vicenza Provincial Command 
  • Col. Virgilio Cosmo, Commander of Finance Police, Vicenza Provincial Command 
  • Col. (P) Giuseppe De Magistris, Acting Director for Center of Excellence for Stability Police Units
More in Partnerships
Double Duty: Twin Airmen tackle African Lion 2025 side by side
Assigned to the 121st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Dexter as an assisted dedicated crew chief and Dylan a fuels system specialist with the 121st Maintenance Squadron, these identical twins from the Ohio Air National Guard are working together once again, this time during the multinational military exercise African Lion 2025.
Read more
Honoring the fallen, uniting the living: A legacy rekindled at African Lion 2025
DODJI, Senegal – During African Lion 2025, U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan Gabay and Royal Netherlands Army Capt. Lars Roijen rekindled a personal and historical connection that began at a World War II cemetery in Margraten, Netherlands. After discovering that Gabay’s great uncle was buried there, Roijen—whose hometown is Margraten—adopted the grave, honoring a Dutch tradition dating back to the war. Now serving together at AL25 in Senegal, the two Soldiers embody the enduring bonds between allies. Their story highlights the human connections behind military cooperation and reflects the spirit of African Lion: strengthening partnerships, honoring shared sacrifice, and building a safer future together.
Read more
US Army Advisor gains valuable experience at African Lion 25
TAMALE, Ghana - Teaching classes in a room full of multinational military partners from 6 different countries could be daunting even for the most senior leaders in the U.S. Army, but for Staff Sgt. Marangely Hein, it’s just another adventure - and a day in the life of an Army Advisor.
Read more
More in Partnerships
Double Duty: Twin Airmen tackle African Lion 2025 side by side
Assigned to the 121st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Dexter as an assisted dedicated crew chief and Dylan a fuels system specialist with the 121st Maintenance Squadron, these identical twins from the Ohio Air National Guard are working together once again, this time during the multinational military exercise African Lion 2025.
Read more
Honoring the fallen, uniting the living: A legacy rekindled at African Lion 2025
DODJI, Senegal – During African Lion 2025, U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan Gabay and Royal Netherlands Army Capt. Lars Roijen rekindled a personal and historical connection that began at a World War II cemetery in Margraten, Netherlands. After discovering that Gabay’s great uncle was buried there, Roijen—whose hometown is Margraten—adopted the grave, honoring a Dutch tradition dating back to the war. Now serving together at AL25 in Senegal, the two Soldiers embody the enduring bonds between allies. Their story highlights the human connections behind military cooperation and reflects the spirit of African Lion: strengthening partnerships, honoring shared sacrifice, and building a safer future together.
Read more
US Army Advisor gains valuable experience at African Lion 25
TAMALE, Ghana - Teaching classes in a room full of multinational military partners from 6 different countries could be daunting even for the most senior leaders in the U.S. Army, but for Staff Sgt. Marangely Hein, it’s just another adventure - and a day in the life of an Army Advisor.
Read more
More in Partnerships
Double Duty: Twin Airmen tackle African Lion 2025 side by side
Assigned to the 121st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Dexter as an assisted dedicated crew chief and Dylan a fuels system specialist with the 121st Maintenance Squadron, these identical twins from the Ohio Air National Guard are working together once again, this time during the multinational military exercise African Lion 2025.
Read more
Honoring the fallen, uniting the living: A legacy rekindled at African Lion 2025
DODJI, Senegal – During African Lion 2025, U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan Gabay and Royal Netherlands Army Capt. Lars Roijen rekindled a personal and historical connection that began at a World War II cemetery in Margraten, Netherlands. After discovering that Gabay’s great uncle was buried there, Roijen—whose hometown is Margraten—adopted the grave, honoring a Dutch tradition dating back to the war. Now serving together at AL25 in Senegal, the two Soldiers embody the enduring bonds between allies. Their story highlights the human connections behind military cooperation and reflects the spirit of African Lion: strengthening partnerships, honoring shared sacrifice, and building a safer future together.
Read more
US Army Advisor gains valuable experience at African Lion 25
TAMALE, Ghana - Teaching classes in a room full of multinational military partners from 6 different countries could be daunting even for the most senior leaders in the U.S. Army, but for Staff Sgt. Marangely Hein, it’s just another adventure - and a day in the life of an Army Advisor.
Read more