As the sun dipped below the horizon of the Gulf of Poets on April 9, 2026, a definitive chapter of Italian maritime history reached its conclusion. In a ceremony marked by solemnity and deep emotion, the Italian Navy performed the ultimo ammaina bandiera delle navi Grecale e Libeccio, lowering the flags for the final time on the docks of the La Spezia naval base.
The decommissioning of the Grecale (F571) and Libeccio (F572) marks the end of more than four decades of active service. These Maestrale-class frigates, designed for versatility and endurance, served as the backbone of Italy’s naval presence in diverse global theaters, from the Mediterranean to the Persian Gulf.
The event drew thousands of attendees, including civil, military and religious authorities, alongside roughly 600 former and current crew members who had served aboard the two vessels. For those gathered, the ceremony was more than a formal procedure; it was a tribute to the ships’ contributions to national defense, international cooperation, and the critical mission of saving lives at sea.
A legacy of 900,000 miles
Admiral Aurelio De Carolis, Commander-in-Chief of the Naval Squad, highlighted the extraordinary operational lifespan of the two vessels, noting that they covered more than 900,000 miles during their careers. He characterized the 40-year service duration as an absolute record for ships of their class.
While acknowledging that the transition to more modern platforms is a physiological necessity for any evolving navy, De Carolis emphasized that the true value of the ships lay in the people who manned them. “Our strength remains the crews,” he stated, noting that the continuity of values, traditions, and expertise is passed from generation to generation.
The ceremony saw final salutes from the ships’ respective commanders, Carmelo Bella of the Grecale and Daniele Panichella of the Libeccio, as well as former Navy Chiefs of Staff Admirals Giuseppe De Giorgi and Paolo La Rosa.
Grecale: From anti-submarine warfare to the silver screen
The Grecale, the second of eight anti-submarine and missile frigates in the Italian Navy’s Maestrale class, was launched at the Muggiano shipyard on September 12, 1981, and officially delivered on February 5, 1983.
Optimized for anti-submarine warfare, the 123-meter vessel was designed to defend naval forces and convoys from underwater threats. However, its versatility allowed it to engage in a wide array of missions, including the monitoring of commercial traffic, the interdiction of strategic areas, and support for amphibious operations. Its technical arsenal included Oto Melara artillery, Otomat anti-ship missiles, and Aspide anti-aircraft systems, with the capacity to carry up to two Augusta BELL SH212 helicopters or one SH101.
Beyond its military record, the Grecale enjoyed a brief moment of cinematic fame, serving as a set for the 1984 film Cuori nella Tormenta starring Carlo Verdone. Its distinguished service was formally recognized on February 15, 2014, when its standard was awarded the Gold Medal of Merit from the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George.
Libeccio: “Let the enemies fear the whirlwind”
Guided by the motto “I nemici temano il turbine” (Let the enemies fear the whirlwind), the Libeccio was built at the Riva Trigoso shipyards (now Fincantieri). Laid down on August 1, 1979, and launched on September 7, 1981, it was delivered to the Navy on October 12, 1982.
The Libeccio‘s career was defined by its involvement in high-stakes international conflicts and rescue operations. In September 1984, it played a key role in the recovery operations for the submarine Scirè. Its most significant deployments occurred in the Persian Gulf, where it provided escort for oil tankers during Operation Gulf 1 (1987-1988) during the Iran-Iraq War, and later participated in Operation Gulf 2 during the First Gulf War from September 1990 to January 1991.
The ship’s operational reach extended to Malaysia in 1990, the Soviet Union in 1991, and back to the Persian Gulf between 1993 and 1994. In its final decade of service, specifically between 2013 and 2014, the Libeccio was deployed as part of the Eunavfor Atalanta mission to combat maritime piracy and protect commercial shipping off the coast of Somalia.
| Feature | Nave Grecale (F571) | Nave Libeccio (F572) |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery Date | February 5, 1983 | October 12, 1982 |
| Primary Role | Anti-Submarine / Missile | Anti-Submarine / Dual Utilize |
| Key Operation | Commercial Traffic Control | Operation Gulf 1 & 2 |
| Special Distinction | Gold Medal of Merit (2014) | Scirè Recovery (1984) |
The future of the fleet
The departure of these two frigates coincides with a broader modernization effort within the Italian Navy. As older Maestrale-class vessels are phased out, they are being replaced by platforms with enhanced digital capabilities and stealth technology to meet contemporary security challenges in the Mediterranean and beyond.
Admiral De Carolis concluded the event with a call to the next generation, urging young Italians to follow a vocation for the sea and join the Navy, citing a renewed national interest in maritime professions.
The ships will now undergo the final administrative and physical steps of the decommissioning process, as the Navy prepares for the integration of newer assets into the fleet.
Do you have memories of serving aboard the Grecale or Libeccio? Share your stories in the comments below or share this article with fellow veterans.
