Jan 22 2013

ISAF HQ Bids Farewell to de Bavinchove and welcomes Battisti as new Chief of staff

KABUL (AFGHANISTAN), 23 JANUARY 2013. In a brief ceremony held today at ISAF Headquarters in Kabul, Italian Army Lieutenant General Giorgio Battisti replaced French Army Lieutenant General Olivier de Bavinchove as International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) HQ Chief of Staff.

I want to thank the entire command for the support I had throughout my year at ISAF, de Bavinchove said. I have been impressed by the dedication to duty and professionalism shown by the men and women serving here, and coming from 50 different countries. I’d also like to wish General Battisti my best luck for his tour of duty as ISAF Chief of Staff.

General de Bavinchove, who will soon go back to Strasbourg, France as Eurocorps Commanding General.General Battisti comes from Milan, Italy, where he is the NATO Rapid Deployable Corps – Italy Commander.