he was in the accademia aeronautica in 1965, where he later graduated in 1969. during his time as a lieutenant colonel he served as an f-104 recce pilot with the 3rd wing in villafranca (verona), during which he commanded the 28th squadron right after his graduation at the nato defence college in 1977 with the rank of lieutenant colonel. after graduating at the itaf air war college in 1982, he served as staff officer at the personnel division of the air staff.