Italian special forces
Encyclopedia
The Italian Special Forces include special forces
units from several branches of the Italian Military: the Esercito Italiano
or Army
, the Marina Militare
or Navy
, the Aeronautica Militare
or Air force
and l'Arma dei Carabinieri
. Each of these four branches has its own special forces unit, and other state bodies, such as the Italian State Police
, have their own units.
special units are divided in Special Forces and Special Operations Forces:
special forces unit is the COMSUBIN
(Comando Subacquei ed Incursori) - the Raiders & Divers Group. Specifically the 150-200 men of the Operational Raiders Group are the special forces section of the elite unit.
COMSUBIN's origings lie with the famous Italian special units "MAS" (Italian acronym for Anti Submarine Motorboats). The name referred an early vehicle employed by the units, an explosive-laden crewless motorboat ("barchino") which was aimed and launched against enemy submersibles (it has to be reminded that until well after WW2 subs were essentially surface ships with the capability of temporarily diving underwater for attacks). After WWI much study and development went into underwater raid techniques but the units' name was never altered, lending to the false impressione that Italian seafaring commandoes were still relegated to anti-submarine warfare only.
Instead many flotillas were armed and equipped to direct raids on enemy ships using explosive head-charges in guided torpedoes with 2-man crews (Siluri a Lenta Corsa or S.L.C.), with hand explosive charges (by frogmen) or with small, fast, self-explosive boats (S.M.A.). Sometimes the raiders approached the target by means of submarines with special tanks installed on the external bridge containing the special vehicles (S.L.C.).
One peculiar MAS flotilla, the tenth, dubbed X Mas due to roman numeration scored great successes against the English fleet.
(military police) with both (civil and military) law and order police duties and military peacekeeping and war-fighting capabilities. The Carabinieri has its own special forces in the form of the GIS
or the Special Intervention Group. The GIS features some one hundred or so troops specially trained in counter-terrorism operations with a special emphasis on marksmanship.
Another special unit is the 1° Reggimento Carabinieri Paracadutisti (1st Carabinieri Airborne Regiment) "Tuscania". It is a regiment of military police/anti-terrorism unit. The usual roles are:
or Central Security Operational Nucleus. It cross-trains with the Carabinieri Corps' GIS but is wholly independent of it both logistically and administratively.
The Italian Guardia di Finanza
also has a counter-terrorism unit, the ATPI
, on grounds that the Force is tasked with the main responsibility of high-profile duties such as fighting tax evasion
, financial crimes, copyright violations, smuggling
, money laundering
, international illegal drug trafficking, illegal immigration
, credit card fraud
, cybercrime
, counterfeiting, terrorist financing
, in addition with being tasked of maintaining customs
and borders checks, conducting anti-Mafia
operations, maintaining public order in some circumstances, and enforcing safety, political and military defense of the Italian borders. The ATPI team has participated to several operations overseas in cooperation with local Law enforcement bodies, especially in the Countries of provenience of most of the illegal immigrants, drugs and other contraband that's introduced yearly in Italy: Albania
, Kosovo
, Hungary
, and also trained newly-founded local Law Enforcement agencies in investigative activities and tactical responses in Afghanistan
and Iraq
.
There is talk of increasing cross-service training, especially in the field of special operations, with the possibility of forging a joint special operations command to facilitate operational flexibility and interoperability.
The Local Police of the city of Milan has its own counter-terrorism unit, the Nucleo Specialistico Emergenze which is trained for chemicals and biological attacks against the city.
Special forces
Special forces, or special operations forces are terms used to describe elite military tactical teams trained to perform high-risk dangerous missions that conventional units cannot perform...
units from several branches of the Italian Military: the Esercito Italiano
Italian Army
The Italian Army is the ground defence force of the Italian Armed Forces. It is all-volunteer force of active-duty personnel, numbering 108,355 in 2010. Its best-known combat vehicles are the Dardo infantry fighting vehicle, the Centauro tank destroyer and the Ariete tank, and among its aircraft...
or Army
Army
An army An army An army (from Latin arma "arms, weapons" via Old French armée, "armed" (feminine), in the broadest sense, is the land-based military of a nation or state. It may also include other branches of the military such as the air force via means of aviation corps...
, the Marina Militare
Marina Militare
The Italian Navy is the navy of the Italian Republic. It is one of the four branches of military forces of Italy; formed in 1946, from what remained of the Regia Marina . As of 2008, the Italian Navy had 35,200 active personnel with 180 commissioned ships, 19 Floating Docks, and 123 aircraft...
or Navy
Navy
A navy is the branch of a nation's armed forces principally designated for naval and amphibious warfare; namely, lake- or ocean-borne combat operations and related functions...
, the Aeronautica Militare
Aeronautica Militare
The Italian Air Force is the air force of the Italian Republic. It has held a prominent role in modern Italian military history...
or Air force
Air force
An air force, also known in some countries as an air army, is in the broadest sense, the national military organization that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an army, navy or...
and l'Arma dei Carabinieri
Carabinieri
The Carabinieri is the national gendarmerie of Italy, policing both military and civilian populations, and is a branch of the armed forces.-Early history:...
. Each of these four branches has its own special forces unit, and other state bodies, such as the Italian State Police
Polizia di Stato
The Polizia di Stato is one of the national police forces of Italy.It is the main police force for providing police duties and it is also responsible for patrolling motorways , railways , airports , customs as well as certain waterways, and assisting the local police...
, have their own units.
Italian Army special units
Italian ArmyItalian Army
The Italian Army is the ground defence force of the Italian Armed Forces. It is all-volunteer force of active-duty personnel, numbering 108,355 in 2010. Its best-known combat vehicles are the Dardo infantry fighting vehicle, the Centauro tank destroyer and the Ariete tank, and among its aircraft...
special units are divided in Special Forces and Special Operations Forces:
Special Forces
- 9th Parachute Assault Regiment9th Parachute Assault RegimentThe 9º Reggimento d'Assalto Paracadutisti ' is the or proudest Special Forces unit of the current Italian Army — in part due to its distinguished history, but also due to the arduous training which members must undertake...
"Col Moschin", an SASSpecial Air ServiceSpecial Air Service or SAS is a corps of the British Army constituted on 31 May 1950. They are part of the United Kingdom Special Forces and have served as a model for the special forces of many other countries all over the world...
-like force trained for special operations in all kinds of environments. It is descended from the ArditiArditiArditi was the name adopted by Italian Army elite storm troops of World War I. The name derives from the Italian verb Ardire and translates as "The Daring Ones"....
(Brave) units that operated on the Italo-Austrian Front of the First World War.
Special Operations Forces
- 4th Alpini Parachutist Regiment "Monte Cervino" - a combination of elite mountain infantry and airborne troops. The 4th is best-suited for high-altitude operations. It inherits the name from the Battaglione Alpini Sciatori (Alpine Skiers Battalion) "Monte Cervino", a battalion of "special operation forces" born during WWI and deployed in the eastern front in WWII. They were nicknamed Diavoli Bianchi (White Devils) for their white snow camouflage suits. Disbanded after WWII, in 1964 became the Compagnia Alpini Paracadutisti (Alpini Parachute Company), in 1990 gained the name of "Monte Cervino", in 1996 was reformed. In 1999, the battalion earned the qualification of "Ranger" (the only one amongst the Italian special forces). In 2004 it was elevated and took the name, flag and traditions of the 4th Alpini Regiment.
- 185th Reconnaissance Target Acquisition Regiment "Folgore" (RAO - Reggimento Acquisizione Obiettivi) - its mission is to find and mark enemy objectives for bombers or artillery units. The regiment is divided into four batteries (BAOs), trained to operate in different environments:
- 1st "Draghi" (Dragons) - desert environment;
- 2nd "Aquile" (Eagles) mountainous and Arctic environment;
- 3rd "Diavoli" (Devils) amphibious environment;
- 4th for "special reconnaissance" and surveillance.
- The 185th RAO is the ideal "son" of the 13th GRACO (GRuppo ACquisizione Obiettivi, Target Acquisition Group) "Aquileia", joint group of airborne and artillery personnel part of the 3rd Missile Brigade "Aquileia", who were trained to parachute close or even behind the enemy lines in order to give accurate launch coordinates
- Every BAO is composed by several DAOs Distaccamenti Acquisizione Obbiettivi (detachments of eight men each). For every BAO there is a minimum of two DAOs specialized in amphibious ops, two in Forward Air Control and one in advanced parachute usage.
- 26th Special Operations Helicopter Unit26th Special Operations Helicopter UnitThe 26th Squadron – Special Operations Helicopter Unit is a special operation unit of the Italian Army that provides helicopter aviation support for Italian special forces. The 26th REOS is headquartered in Viterbo near Rome...
"Giove" - a special helicopter unit trained to support, supply, infiltrate/exfiltrate SF and SOF units in enemy territory.
Special Forces
The Italian NavyMarina Militare
The Italian Navy is the navy of the Italian Republic. It is one of the four branches of military forces of Italy; formed in 1946, from what remained of the Regia Marina . As of 2008, the Italian Navy had 35,200 active personnel with 180 commissioned ships, 19 Floating Docks, and 123 aircraft...
special forces unit is the COMSUBIN
Italian commando frogmen
COMSUBIN is the elite combat frogman force and one of the Italian special forces....
(Comando Subacquei ed Incursori) - the Raiders & Divers Group. Specifically the 150-200 men of the Operational Raiders Group are the special forces section of the elite unit.
- GOI (Gruppo Operativo Incursori) - is the branch with raiders, they are trained for naval/coastal operations (but are also used on the mountains of Afghanistan in operation ISAF), are also equipped with special over/under water vehicles for silent insertions.
- GOS (Gruppo Operativo Subacquei) - is the sub branch for rescue and damage repair of vessels.
COMSUBIN's origings lie with the famous Italian special units "MAS" (Italian acronym for Anti Submarine Motorboats). The name referred an early vehicle employed by the units, an explosive-laden crewless motorboat ("barchino") which was aimed and launched against enemy submersibles (it has to be reminded that until well after WW2 subs were essentially surface ships with the capability of temporarily diving underwater for attacks). After WWI much study and development went into underwater raid techniques but the units' name was never altered, lending to the false impressione that Italian seafaring commandoes were still relegated to anti-submarine warfare only.
Instead many flotillas were armed and equipped to direct raids on enemy ships using explosive head-charges in guided torpedoes with 2-man crews (Siluri a Lenta Corsa or S.L.C.), with hand explosive charges (by frogmen) or with small, fast, self-explosive boats (S.M.A.). Sometimes the raiders approached the target by means of submarines with special tanks installed on the external bridge containing the special vehicles (S.L.C.).
One peculiar MAS flotilla, the tenth, dubbed X Mas due to roman numeration scored great successes against the English fleet.
Italian Air Forces special units
- 17º Stormo Incursori17º Stormo IncursoriThe 17º Stormo Incursori is the Italian Air Force Special Forces unit. It is the younger special force created in Italy. It is based in Furbara, near Rome and part of the Comando interforze per le Operazioni delle Forze Speciali...
the raiders corp of Italian Air Force. Its primary missions are: raid on aeronautical compounds, Forward Air Control, Combat Controlling, and Combat Search and Rescue. Its origins are in the A.D.R.A Arditi Distruttori Regia Aeronautica (Air Force Brave Destroyers), a corp of WW2. They were used in not well known missions against bridges and allied airfields in north-Africa after the fall of Tunisia. The only well-known mission reported the destruction with explosive charges of 25 B-17 and the killing of 50 bomber crew members.
- The Italian Air Force operates a special helicopter squadron (the 21st) dedicated to supporting the special operations conducted by the special forces units of other branches of the Armed Services.
Carabinieri Corps special units
The Carabinieri Corps is a GendarmerieGendarmerie
A gendarmerie or gendarmery is a military force charged with police duties among civilian populations. Members of such a force are typically called "gendarmes". The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary describes a gendarme as "a soldier who is employed on police duties" and a "gendarmery, -erie" as...
(military police) with both (civil and military) law and order police duties and military peacekeeping and war-fighting capabilities. The Carabinieri has its own special forces in the form of the GIS
Gruppo di Intervento Speciale
Gruppo di Intervento Speciale is an elite Special Operations counter-terrorism tactical response unit inside the Italian Carabinieri military police, first formed in 1978...
or the Special Intervention Group. The GIS features some one hundred or so troops specially trained in counter-terrorism operations with a special emphasis on marksmanship.
Another special unit is the 1° Reggimento Carabinieri Paracadutisti (1st Carabinieri Airborne Regiment) "Tuscania". It is a regiment of military police/anti-terrorism unit. The usual roles are:
- military, common with all other airborne/special operation forces troops;
- law-enforcement, supporting the Carabinieri law-enforcement units in dangerous areas (homeland security e.g. mafia-controlled zones, violent metro riots) and VIP escort and security service;
- provide training for other Carabinieri special operation units. All the GIS operatives come from the "Tuscania" Regiment
Other special units
The Italian State Police operates its own counter-terrorism unit, called the NOCSNucleo Operativo Centrale di Sicurezza
The Nucleo Operativo Centrale di Sicurezza is a special operations division of the Italian state police.-History:In 1974 the Chief of the Polizia di Stato Anti-Terrorism Bureau, Emilio Santillo, announced the necessity to establish a tactical unit with the capability to arrest known terrorists and...
or Central Security Operational Nucleus. It cross-trains with the Carabinieri Corps' GIS but is wholly independent of it both logistically and administratively.
The Italian Guardia di Finanza
Guardia di Finanza
The Guardia di Finanza is a Italian law enforcement agency under the authority of the Minister of Economy and Finance. Like the Carabinieri, it is part of the Italian Armed Forces. The Guard is essentially responsible for dealing with financial crime and smuggling; it has also evolved into Italy's...
also has a counter-terrorism unit, the ATPI
AntiTerrorismo Pronto Impiego
The Counter-terrorism Rapid Response force, formed in 1983, is a special police unit of the Guardia di Finanza dealing with anti-terrorism in Italy. The unit took part in counterterrorism operations and VIP protection details in Italy. This unit has done operations in Albania, Kosovo and Hungary....
, on grounds that the Force is tasked with the main responsibility of high-profile duties such as fighting tax evasion
Tax evasion
Tax evasion is the general term for efforts by individuals, corporations, trusts and other entities to evade taxes by illegal means. Tax evasion usually entails taxpayers deliberately misrepresenting or concealing the true state of their affairs to the tax authorities to reduce their tax liability,...
, financial crimes, copyright violations, smuggling
Smuggling
Smuggling is the clandestine transportation of goods or persons, such as out of a building, into a prison, or across an international border, in violation of applicable laws or other regulations.There are various motivations to smuggle...
, money laundering
Money laundering
Money laundering is the process of disguising illegal sources of money so that it looks like it came from legal sources. The methods by which money may be laundered are varied and can range in sophistication. Many regulatory and governmental authorities quote estimates each year for the amount...
, international illegal drug trafficking, illegal immigration
Illegal immigration
Illegal immigration is the migration into a nation in violation of the immigration laws of that jurisdiction. Illegal immigration raises many political, economical and social issues and has become a source of major controversy in developed countries and the more successful developing countries.In...
, credit card fraud
Credit card fraud
Credit card fraud is a wide-ranging term for theft and fraud committed using a credit card or any similar payment mechanism as a fraudulent source of funds in a transaction. The purpose may be to obtain goods without paying, or to obtain unauthorized funds from an account. Credit card fraud is also...
, cybercrime
CyberCrime
CyberCrime was an innovative, weekly America television program on TechTV that focused on the dangers facing computer users. Filmed in San Francisco, California, the show was hosted by Alex Wellen and Jennifer London...
, counterfeiting, terrorist financing
Terrorist Financing
Terrorist financing came into limelight after the events of terrorism on 9/11. The US passed the USA PATRIOT Act to, among other reasons, attempt thwarting the financing of terrorism and anti-money laundering making sure these were given some sort of adequate focus by US financial institutions...
, in addition with being tasked of maintaining customs
Customs
Customs is an authority or agency in a country responsible for collecting and safeguarding customs duties and for controlling the flow of goods including animals, transports, personal effects and hazardous items in and out of a country...
and borders checks, conducting anti-Mafia
Mafia
The Mafia is a criminal syndicate that emerged in the mid-nineteenth century in Sicily, Italy. It is a loose association of criminal groups that share a common organizational structure and code of conduct, and whose common enterprise is protection racketeering...
operations, maintaining public order in some circumstances, and enforcing safety, political and military defense of the Italian borders. The ATPI team has participated to several operations overseas in cooperation with local Law enforcement bodies, especially in the Countries of provenience of most of the illegal immigrants, drugs and other contraband that's introduced yearly in Italy: Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
, Kosovo
Kosovo
Kosovo is a region in southeastern Europe. Part of the Ottoman Empire for more than five centuries, later the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija within Serbia...
, Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
, and also trained newly-founded local Law Enforcement agencies in investigative activities and tactical responses in Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
and Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
.
There is talk of increasing cross-service training, especially in the field of special operations, with the possibility of forging a joint special operations command to facilitate operational flexibility and interoperability.
The Local Police of the city of Milan has its own counter-terrorism unit, the Nucleo Specialistico Emergenze which is trained for chemicals and biological attacks against the city.