Commander Paolo Florentino graduated from the Italian Naval Academy in 1991, was trained by the US Navy, and qualified as Naval Aviator in 1994. He flew ASW/ASuW Helicopters such as AB212, SH3D and EH101. He had appointments as Flight Commander on several warships, staff officer of the Italian Fleet Air Arm, Commanding Officer of the 2nd Helicopter Squadron and later of the 3rd Helicopter Squadron. As a Navy line officer he commanded the ITS Tirso. He participated in Operation Enduring Freedom as Navy Liaison Officer to ComUSNavCent, and has been awarded for NATO Operation Sharp Guard and the Italian operations related to the Albania crisis and supporting UNIFIL. Since August 2016 he serves the JAPCC as Subject Matter Area for Maritime Air/Embarked Rotary Wing.