On 4 September 2025, Col Erik van de Ven (RNL ASF) took command as Director of the MCCE from Col Gioacchino Cassarà (ITA AF).
The Change of Command ceremony was presided over by the Steering Board Chair, BGen Guillaume Arcouette (CAN ARMY), and was witnessed by distinguished guests from the MCCE participant nations, many multinational partners, friends, and families.
It was a modest and dignified ceremony that underscored the achievements attained by the MCCE in recent years. As an evolving and adaptable international organization, MCCE continues to meet the challenges of military collaboration and develop solutions to the benefit of its nations.
Today, the MCCE stands as one of the largest and most active strategic movement networks worldwide, collective strategic movements have become a reality for MCCE participant nations; yet we continue to seek efficiencies and expand opportunities by working together in a proactive manner.
Col van de Ven now begins his three-year term as Director of the MCCE.
Col Cassarà will return to Italy and assumes a position in the Air Force Headquarters in Rome.