Commander GHEZZI was born in Rome on August 10th, 1979. After the Scientific High School in Rome, he attended the Italian Naval Academy from 1999 to 2005, graduating in Political Science with a thesis on the Argentina’s economic crisis.

After graduation, he was selected as naval aviator and trained with the US Navy flight schools in Florida and Texas from 2005 and 2007 earning both airplane and helicopter wings. Back to Italy, he was assigned to the 1st Helicopter Squadron stationed in Luni (SP) where he transitioned to the AW-101 “merlin” and trained in Special Operations air support, including tactical transport, low level and Night Vision Goggle (NVG) flights.

From 2007 to 2012 he served in the 1st Helicopter Squadron as Equipment and Weapon section leader and Head of the Special Operations Department. During this period ,in the rank of Lieutenant, he was deployed twice in Afghanistan with “ISAF” and took part in Operation “Unified Protector” in 2011 during the Libyan crisis onboard Italian Aircraft Carrier Garibaldi. In 2012 he attended the “normal course” at the Italian Naval Staff College in Venice.

In 2013 he commanded the Coastal Patrol ship ITS Staffetta.

From 2014 to 2017 he was assigned to the Italian Navy Fleet Air Arm in Rome as Operation Officer. In his role he took an active part in coordinating all ITA Navy air assets in central Mediterranean during the first migrant crisis with Operations “Mare Sicuro” and “Sophia”. In October 2015 he attended the “Information Operations” Course at the NATO School of Oberammergau (Germany).

From 2017 to 2021 he was assigned to the Italian Navy General Staff in Rome in the Naval Aviation Department to serve as Regulations and Standardization Office and then as Joint Strike Fighter Project Officer from October 2018.

In 2019 he graduated with a Master’s degree in “Strategic Studies and International Security” form
“Ca Foscari” University in Venice.
From july 2021 to august 2022 he was assigned to the aircraft carrier ITS Cavour as Executive Officer.
From September 2022 to august 2023 he was the Commanding Officer of the frigate ITS Martinengo.
From September 2023 he is assigned the Italian Navy General Staff in Rome in the Naval Aviation
Department to serve as Naval Unit Interface section Leader.
His honours and decorations include:
− Long Command bronze Medal of merit (10 years);
− Long Service Cross (25 years);
− Long Air Navigation silver Medal (15 years);
− US Naval Aviator badge;
− Italian Sport badge;
− Civil Protection Medal of Merit;
− Commemorative cross for Afghanistan Operations;
− NATO ISAF Medal;
− Commemorative badge of Operation “Unified Protector” Libya;
− Merit ribbon for personnel of the Navy General Staff.

Commander GHEZZI has flown a total of 1000 flight hours in aircraft and helicopters; he is married with Sara and has two children, Tiziano (12) and Bianca (7). He particularly enjoys TV series, music, hiking and escape rooms; his favorite sports are horse riding, skiing, diving and soccer.