Italian Armed Forces special units are divided into Special Forces (TIER 1)[citation needed] and Special Operations Forces (TIER 2). The Comando operativo interforze delle forze speciali (Joint Special Forces Operations Headquarters) is responsible for operations carried out in response to Defense requirements.[2]
The Italian Navy special forces unit is the Divers and Raiders Grouping "Teseo Tesei" (Comando Raggruppamento Subacquei e Incursori Teseo Tesei - COMSUBIN). Specifically the 250-350 men of the Operational Raiders Group are the special forces section of the elite unit.
COMSUBIN's origins lie with the famous Italian special units "X MAS" (Italian acronym for Anti Submarine Motorboats). The name referred to an early vehicle employed by the units, an explosive-laden crewless motorboat ("barchino") which was aimed and launched against enemy submersibles (keep in mind that until well after World War II subs were essentially surface ships with the capability of temporarily diving underwater for attacks). After World War I much study and development went into underwater raid techniques but the unit's name was never altered, leading to the false impression that Italian seafaring commandos 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.).
This volume by leading Italian historian, Pier Paolo Battistelli, looks at the elite and special forces units of the Italian Army during World War II (1939-1945). This includes a vast array of troop types including paratroopers, assault engineers, sea-landing and swimmer units, long-range recce and ski units, and even hand-picked Fascist 'Mussolini' units. It also delves into the specialist tank and armoured units that were created to emulate the German armoured units. The Italian units discussed here enjoyed mixed success but the volume does draw attention to the incredible hard fighting done by some, particularly in the deserts of North Africa and the frozen wastelands of Russia. Illustrated with rare archival photographs and specially commissioned artwork this is a fascinating insight into a little-studied aspect of Axis forces.
This volume assesses the formidable Special Forces fielded by Italy's navy and air force in World War II. Italian Navy Special Forces were particularly active and respected in the Mediterranean, where 10th Motor-Torpedo Boat Flotilla used frogmen, 'two-man torpedoes' and explosive ram-boats. The Italian Air Force formed a special commando unit, ADRA, before the 1943 surrender; it was tasked with attacking Allied airfields and communications in North Africa. Men from ADRA and Army paratroopers formed the new 'Folgore' Regiment, which also continued to fight alongside German forces until 1945. In both cases, the pro-Allied Italian forces also formed 'mirror' units to fight alongside US and British forces, including the Recce Squadron 'F'. Featuring rare photographs and specially commissioned artwork, this book tells the story of the little-known elite forces fielded by Italy's navy and air force in World War II, some of whose successors remain in service with today's Italian armed forces.
This level of training ensures special operations forces are prepared for a wide range of scenarios, from conventional warfare to counterterrorism operations in support of the NATO Alliance. An assessment like this is crucial for maintaining a credible and effective defence posture, as well as for enhancing cooperation amongst Allied special forces.
The SOLTG is composed mainly of the 185th Airborne Reconnaissance Target Acquisition Regiment from the Italian Army Special Forces. The 3rd Special Operations Helicopters Regiment from the Italian Army Aviation served as the foundation for the SOATU. The SOLTG, in addition to the SOATU, also included a Special Operations Task Unit (SOTU) from the 185th Reconnaissance Target Acquisition Regiment, a SOTU from the 4th Ranger Regiment as well as staff augmentees from the Italian Army Special Operations Command.
The operators of the SOTU conducted operations over a large area across central Italy, in close integration with the SOATU helicopters of the Italian Army Aviation. Throughout the exercise, the SOLTG and SOATU focused on military assistance with Partner Units, continuous Special Reconnaissance on the ground and in the air in an urban environment. They observed a network of criminal organisations and continually observed a building, used by hostile elements to house chemicals and concluded with direct action against the illegal depot. Italian Special Operations Command requested support from a Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) team for the monitoring of suspicious substances found inside the building.
NATO Special Forces regularly conduct military training and exercises to assess the readiness and capabilities of Allied Special Forces. These exercises often involve interoperability testing and training to ensure that NATO special forces can operate effectively together.
The Italian special forces are Italian units designed to conduct special operations. These units are from distinct branches such as the Italian Armed Forces, the Navy, the Air Force, and the Arma dei Carabinieri.
The Col Moschin takes his origins from the 9th Assault Unit and the Arditi, during the First World War. This unit acquired its current title on the 24th of June 1995, and in 2019, in honour of the Arditi, the Col Moschin received the grey-green beret. This unit, considered the equivalent of the British SAS, is able to operate in all kinds of environments.
The Italian government established the GIS on the 6th of February 1978, due to an increase in terrorist attacks in Italy. The GIS has both civil and military responsibilities. It received training from the German Grenzschutzgruppe 9, the GOI, and the British SAS.
The 28th Regiment Pavia unit is based in Pesaro and, in 2004, it became the Psychological Operations unit of the Italian Army. Their training focuses on foreign languages, communication systems, HUMINT, and the analysis of the different socio-anthropological realities which characterise a specific area.
U.S. Air Force Special Tactics Airmen and Italy's 17th Stormo Incursori troops prepare to board an Ohio Air National Guard C-130H Hercules after it landed in a dry lake bed during Exercise Eager Lion, May 16, 2017, in Jordan. The joint special operations team assessed, opened, and controlled clandestine desert landing strip, which helped them train to provide strategic access for U.S. or allied partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ryan Conroy)
U.S. Air National Guard Airmen with the 127th Airlift Wing inspect a C-130H Hercules following a dry lake bed landing during Exercise Eager Lion, May 17, 2017, in Jordan. Eager Lion 2017, an annual U.S. Central Command exercise in Jordan designed to strengthen military-to-military relationships between the U.S., Jordan and other international partners. This year's iteration is comprised of about 7,200 military personnel from more than 20 nations that will respond to scenarios involving border security, command and control, cyber defense and battlespace management. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ryan Conroy)
A U.S. Air Force Special Tactics combat controller with the 24th Special Operations Wing maintains visuals on an Ohio Air National Guard 127th Airlift Wing C-130H Hercules during an airfield reconn mission during Exercise Eager Lion May 16, 2017, in Jordan. Special Tactics teams can assess, open, and control major airfields to clandestine dirt strips in either permissive or hostile locations, providing strategic access for U.S. or allied partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ryan Conroy)
Members of the Jordanian Armed Forces Special Task Force prepare for extraction during a combat search and rescue mission at Eager Lion May 11, 2017, at King Abdullah II Special Operations Training Center. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ryan Conroy)
Italian special operations forces, U.S. Air Force Special Tactics and members of the Jordanian Armed Forces Special Task Force fast rope from a Royal Jordanian Air Force UH-60L Blackhawk helicopter onto a three-story building during Exercise Eager Lion May 11, 2017, at King Abdullah II Special Operations Training Center. (U.S. Air Force photo by SrA Ryan Conroy)
Air Force Special Tactics Airmen with the 24th Special Operations Wing and Italian special operations forces carry a simulated casualty through the Al Biadia Cave Complex during a personnel rescue mission for Eager Lion, May 13, 2017, in Mafraq Province, Jordan. Eager Lion 2017, an annual U.S. Central Command exercise in Jordan designed to strengthen military-to-military relationships between the U.S., Jordan and other international partners. This year's iteration is comprised of about 7,200 military personnel from more than 20 nations that will respond to scenarios involving border security, command and control, cyber defense and battlespace management. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ryan Conroy)
An Air Force Special Tactics Airman with the 24th Special Operations Wing rappels into the Al Biadia Cave Complex during a personnel rescue mission for Eager Lion May 13, 2017, in Mafraq Province, Jordan. Special Tactics teams have the ability to conduct personnel recovery missions, from rapid mission planning to technical rescue, treatment and exfiltration. With in-depth medical and rescue expertise, along with their deployment capabilities, ST Airmen are able to perform rescue missions in the world's most remote areas. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Ryan Conroy)
Italian special operations forces, U.S. Air Force Special Tactics and members of the Jordanian Armed Forces Special Task Force fast rope from a Royal Jordanian Air Force UH-60L Blackhawk helicopter onto a three-story building during Exercise Eager Lion May 11, 2017, at King Abdullah II Special Operations Training Center. Eager Lion is an annual U.S. Central Command exercise in Jordan designed to strengthen military-to-military relationships between the U.S., Jordan and other international partners. This year's iteration is comprised of about 7,200 military personnel from more than 20 nations that will respond to scenarios involving border security, command and control, cyber defense and battlespace management. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Ryan Conroy)
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