Major General Pilot Davide RE was born in Milan on 16 August, 1969.
After attending the Italian Air Force Academy from 1988 to 1992, he graduated from Federico II University, Naples, with a degree in Aeronautical Science cum laude. He obtained his Military Pilot License at Sheppard AFB ENJJPT in Texas, USA in September, 1992 on T-37 aircraft and the following July on T-38A aircraft. Post February 1994, he completed the transition to G-91 aircraft at the 32nd Wing in Amendola (FG), Italy and to TORNADO PA-200 aircraft at Cottesmore TTTE (Tri-National TORNADO Training Establishment) International School in the UK.
Assigned to 6th Wing Ghedi (BS), Italy from 17 February 1994 – 2005, he was Flight Commander at the 102nd Squadron and achieved full Operational Roles and Qualifications for TORNADO Pilots including Formation/Package Leader, Chase, FCF (Functional Check Flight) and TORNADO Instructor.
Returning to the ENJJPT in Sheppard AFB from 2005 to 2008, he was Director of Operations (DO) at the 90th Squadron and Pilot Instructor for T-38 A/C aircraft. During this time he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal by the AETC Commander (Air Education and Training Command).
His next assignment was to the Air Force Staff HQ in November, 2008, where he was appointed Head of Doctrine and Future Concept until the end of February, 2009. From then until July 2009 he attended the 114th Course at NATO Defense College, Rome where he achieved the grade of "Exceptionally Well-Suited". He was Project Officer at the Air Force Staff 3 Department (Operation, Plans and Transformation) from 21 September, 2009 until 17 May, 2010 within the JSF Program for Italian Staff.
From 23 May until November 2010 he was assigned at the Regional Command West – H.Q as Joint Air Task Force Commander for ISAF Operation in Afghanistan.
Re-assigned to the Air Force Staff 3 Department his duties were:
- Air Force Staff Project Officer from 25 November, 2010 to 04 December, 2011;
- Air Force Staff J.S.F. Working Group Representative;
- Air Force Staff "Doctrine and Future Plans" Office Deputy Chief from December, 2011 to September, 2013.
He was assigned to the 4th Department (Military Programs) of the General Defense Secretary/ National Armaments Directorate, as Head of the Aeronautical Programs Office from September 2013 until August 2015.
In September 2017, he was made DCOS (Deputy Chief of Staff) at Air Command, Rome until 28 September, 2018 when he became the Italian Joint Cell SNR (Senior National Representative) at the US CENTCOM in Tampa, Florida with the rank of Brigadier General until 13 October, 2019.
In November 2019, he was appointed Director of the NATO Strategic Direction – South Hub (NSD-S Hub) in JFC Naples.
Since the 1st August 2022, he has been appointed Deputy Chief of Staff – Strategic Development and Preparation Directorate in SHAPE.
Brig. Gen. Davide RE has over 2,700 hours of flying time in 6 different aircraft; SF260, T-37, T-38A, T-38C, G-91T and Tornado PA-200 (IDS–Interdiction Strike and ECR–Electronic Combat Reconnaissance).
During his career, to date, he has been awarded different medals including the Aeronautical Military Medal for Long Air Navigation First Grade (Gold), the Bosnia Commemorative Cross, the Gold Cross for Service Experience (25 years), the Former-Yugoslavia NATO Medal, the First Level Bronze Award for Operations, the Bronze Medal Award as Commander, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Italian Republic Medal of Merit and others.
During his career to date he has been awarded:
- Aeronautical Military Medal for Long Air Navigation First Grade (Gold);
- Bosnia Commemorative Cross;
- Gold Cross for Service Experience (25 years);
- Former-Yugoslavia NATO Medal;
- Kosovo NATO Medal;
- First Level Bronze Award for Operations;
- Bronze Medal Award as Commander;
- Afghanistan Commemorative Cross Medal;
- NATO non-Article Five Operations in Afghanistan;
- Meritorious Service Medal;
- Italian Republic Medal of Merit.
He is married to Mrs. Ilaria DEGL'INNOCENTI and has a 12-year-old daughter, Vittoria.