Paratroopers Brigade "Folgore": Difference between revisions

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			{{about\|the currently active ] Paratroopers Brigade "Folgore"\|the ] ] division\|185th Infantry Division "Folgore"\|the ] Italian Army division\|Mechanized Division "Folgore"}}
	]
			{{Infobox military unit
	]
			\|unit_name= Paratroopers Brigade "Folgore"
	]
			\|native_name=Brigata Paracadutisti "Folgore"
	]
			\|image= CoA of the Folgore Brigade.svg
	]
			\|image_size=160px
	]
			\|caption= Coat of Arms the Paratroopers Brigade "Folgore"
	]
			\|dates= 1 January 1963 – Today
	]
			\|country= {{ITA}}
	]
			\|allegiance=
			\|branch= ] ]
			\|type= ]
			\|size= ]
			\|command_structure= ]
			\|garrison=]
			\|nickname=
			\|motto=
			\|colors= light blue
			\|march= ''Come Folgore dal Cielo (Like lightning from the sky)''
			\|mascot= ]
			\|battles= ] ]<br/>] ] <br/>] ] <br> ] ]/] <br> ] ] <br> ] ]<br> ] ]<br/>] ]<br/>] ]
			\|anniversaries= 23 October (])
			\|notable_commanders=
			\|specialization= ]<br> ]
			\|current_commander= ] ]
			\|ceremonial_chief=
			}}
			] on 2 June 2006]]

	The '''~~Folgore Parachute~~ Brigade''' is the ~~largest~~ ~~unit~~ of ]s ('']'') of ~~the~~ ]; a ~~second~~ ~~smaller~~ ~~unit~~ is the ]. The ~~name ''~~Folgore'' is ~~Italian~~ ~~for~~ ].		The '''Paratroopers Brigade "Folgore"''' is an airborne brigade of the ]. Its core units are three battalions of ]s ('']''). The name "Folgore" is Italian for ]. The Folgore is one of three ] brigades of the Italian Army. While the Folgore specializes in parachute operations its sister brigade in the ] the ] specializes in helicopter assault operations. The Folgore and its units are based in ], ] and ].

			== History ==
	The Folgore (''Thunderbolt'') operates as ], capable of both air-landing and parachute operations, and has a marginal mechanized role. It is part of the Projection Forces under the 1° Commando FOD.
			=== World War II ===
			{{main\|185th Infantry Division "Folgore"\|Combat Group "Folgore"}}

			The first Italian paratrooper units were trained and formed shortly before ] in ], near ] in ], where the first Military Parachuting School was located. Later the school was moved to ] in Italy.
	==Origins==
	The first units of Italian parachutists were trained and formed shortly before the ] in Castelbenito, near ], where the first Military school of Parachuting was located.

			On 1 September 1941 the ] raised the 1st Paratroopers Division in ].<ref name="Brigata">{{cite web \|title=Brigata Paracadutisti "Folgore" - La Storia \|url=https://www.esercito.difesa.it/organizzazione/capo-di-sme/COMFOTER/Brigata-Paracadutisti-Folgore/Pagine/La-Storia.aspx \|publisher=Italian Army \|access-date=16 June 2024}}</ref> The division initially was organized as follows:
	The first troops trained were two Libyan battalions (one composed by "nationals", i.e. Italian elements, the other by Libyan elements of the Royal Colonial Corps). To these were added the first battalion of Italian troops and the ] Parachute Battalion.

			* '''1st Paratroopers Division'''
	Later moved to ], the staff at Castelbenito was expanded into the School at ] and became the first elements of the future Folgore Division.
			** 1st Paratroopers Infantry Regiment (raised 1 April 1941)<ref name="185° Paracadutisti">{{cite web \|title=185° Reggimento Paracadutisti "Folgore" - La Storia \|url=https://www.esercito.difesa.it/organizzazione/capo-di-sme/COMFOTER/Comando-delle-Forze-Speciali-dell-Esercito/185-Reggimento-Paracadutisti-RAO-Folgore/Pagine/La-Storia.aspx \|publisher=Italian Army \|access-date=16 June 2024}}</ref><ref name="187° Paracadutisti">{{cite web \|title=187° Reggimento Paracadutisti "Folgore" - La Storia \|url=https://www.esercito.difesa.it/organizzazione/capo-di-sme/COMFOTER/Brigata-Paracadutisti-Folgore/187-Reggimento-Paracadutisti-Folgore/Pagine/la-storia.aspx \|publisher=Italian Army \|access-date=16 June 2024}}</ref>
			*** II Paratroopers Battalion
			*** III Paratroopers Battalion
			*** IV Paratroopers Battalion
			*** Cannons Company (] cannons)
			** 2nd Paratroopers Infantry Regiment (raised 1 September 1941)<ref name="186° Paracadutisti">{{cite web \|title=186° Reggimento Paracadutisti "Folgore" - La Storia \|url=https://www.esercito.difesa.it/organizzazione/capo-di-sme/COMFOTER/Brigata-Paracadutisti-Folgore/186-Reggimento-Paracadutisti-Folgore/Pagine/la-storia.aspx \|publisher=Italian Army \|access-date=16 June 2024}}</ref>
			*** V Paratroopers Battalion
			*** VI Paratroopers Battalion
			*** VII Paratroopers Battalion
			*** Cannons Company (] cannons)
			** I Paratroopers Artillery Group (] cannons, raised 28 August 1941)<ref name="185° Artiglieria">{{cite web \|title=185° Reggimento Artiglieria Paracadutisti "Folgore" - La Storia \|url=https://www.esercito.difesa.it/organizzazione/capo-di-sme/COMFOTER/Brigata-Paracadutisti-Folgore/185-Reggimento-Artiglieria-Paracadutisti-Folgore/Pagine/la-storia.aspx \|publisher=Italian Army \|access-date=16 June 2024}}</ref>

			For reasons of order of precedence the title I Paratroopers Battalion was reserved for the ].<ref name="187° Paracadutisti"/> The division was intended to be used in ] – the planned Axis invasion of ]. On 30 April 1941 the Italian paratroopers were deployed for the first time when the II Paratroopers Battalion jumped onto ].<ref name="187° Paracadutisti"/>
	==The Folgore Division==
	In 1941, a Parachutist division was completed and was designated the ]. The division trained together with their German allies for the planned assault on ] in ] which did not eventuate. During course of the ], it was engaged in ground combat operations.

			In 1942 the division was further augmented: on 15 January the II Paratroopers Artillery Group was raised, followed by the III Paratroopers Artillery Group on 10 March. On the same date the Paratroopers Division Artillery Regiment was activated. The regiment took command of the three paratroopers artillery groups, which each fielded two batteries with four ] cannons per battery.<ref name="185° Artiglieria"/> On 15 March 1942 the 3rd Paratroopers Infantry Regiment with the battalions VIII, IX, and X was raised in Tarquinia.<ref name="187° Paracadutisti"/>
	During the ] the ''Folgore'' Division resisted the attack of the British 131st (Queen's) Infantry Brigade, the 44th Infantry Division, the 7th Armoured Division (''Desert Rats'') and the Free French Brigade. The remnants of the Folgore Division were withdrawn from El Alamein on 3 November 1942, without water and carrying their anti-tank guns by hand in pieces. The survivors were reorganized into the 185th Folgore Parachute Battalion. At 2:35 pm on November 6, after having exhausted all its ammunition, the remainder of the Division finally surrendered to the British forces. In honour of their bravery, the British commander allowed them to surrender without having to show a white flag or raise their hands.

			On 27 July 1942 the division's name was changed to '''185th Infantry Division "Folgore"''' and its regiments were renumbered and renamed as well.<ref name="Brigata"/> The new structure was as follows:
	==Nembo==
	] on the 2 June 2006]]
	The second Italian paratroop division, ] ("Nimbus") was formed in 1943 from new units along with the 185th Regiment of ''the Folgore''. On 8 September, ] announced the surrender of Italy, and the German forces in Italy acted quickly to take over government. The ''Nembo'' division was sent to Sardinia that evening, where a malaria outbreak took a terrible toll on its manpower.

			* '''185th Infantry Division "Folgore"'''<ref name="Brigata"/>
	Both the ''Nembo'' and ''Folgore'' divisions went on to fight for the ] (RSI) against the Allies at ]. Two thirds of the ''Nembo'' division's effective strength was killed in the battle and subsequent retreat.
			** ]<ref name="185° Paracadutisti"/>
			*** II Paratroopers Battalion
			*** III Paratroopers Battalion
			*** IV Paratroopers Battalion
			*** Cannons Company (] cannons)
			** ]<ref name="186° Paracadutisti"/>
			*** V Paratroopers Battalion
			*** VI Paratroopers Battalion
			*** VII Paratroopers Battalion
			*** Cannons Company (] cannons)
			** ]<ref name="187° Paracadutisti"/>
			*** VIII Paratroopers Battalion (re-roled as Paratroopers Sapper unit in May 1942)<ref>{{cite web \|title=8° Reggimento Genio Guastatori Paracadutisti "Folgore" - La Storia \|url=https://www.esercito.difesa.it/organizzazione/capo-di-sme/COMFOTER/Brigata-Paracadutisti-Folgore/8-Reggimento-Genio-Guastatori-Paracadutisti-Folgore/Pagine/la-storia.aspx \|publisher=Italian Army \|access-date=16 June 2024}}</ref>
			*** IX Paratroopers Battalion
			*** X Paratroopers Battalion
			*** Cannons Company (] cannons)
			** ]<ref name="185° Artiglieria"/>
			*** I Paratroopers Artillery Group (] cannons)
			*** II Paratroopers Artillery Group (] cannons)
			*** III Paratroopers Artillery Group (] cannons)
			*** Regimental Services Battery

			The division was then sent to ] to bolster Axis forces in the ]. Before the departing for North Africa the 185th Infantry Regiment "Folgore" and 187th Infantry Regiment "Folgore" switched units: the 185th ceded the more experienced II and IV to 187th, which in turn ceded the VIII and X to the 185th.<ref name="187° Paracadutisti"/> When the division arrived in Africa the three artillery groups of the 185th Artillery Regiment "Folgore" were merged into two artillery groups of three batteries each, thus providing one group for each infantry regiment, which in turn could now provide one battery to each battalion of a regiment. Additionally a seventh battery was formed with surplus materiel found by the division during its transfer to the front.<ref name="185° Artiglieria"/>
	Various units formed by elements of both Divisions fought in ], in the battles of ], Grizzano Houses and in ] (these last ones in the Combat Group ''Folgore'').

			On 15 September the 185th Infantry Regiment "Folgore", which had remained in Italy, left the division and changed its name to 185th Infantry Regiment "Nembo" and became the basis for the ] (''Nemo'' Italian for ]). To aid in the raising of the ] the 185th ceded its X Paratroopers Battalion to the 183rd and raised the XI Paratroopers Battalion in its stead.<ref name="187° Paracadutisti"/>
	Towards the end of the Second World War the ''Nembo'' division became a Mechanized Infantry Regiment, based in ], Villa Vicentina, Cervignano of ] and Gradisca d' Isonzo, were it was based until 1991, when it was reconstituted as the 183rd Parachute Battalion '' Nembo '', within the ''Folgore'' Parachute Brigade.

			In North Africa the division participated in the ] and ]. During the latter division put up a fierce defense against advancing Allied forces, managing to drive off repeated assaults conducted by tanks and infantry working in unison. However, in the course of the battle the division was annihilated and declared lost on 23 November 1942.<ref name="Brigata"/>
	==The Folgore Brigade==
	Currently the ''Folgore'' is a Brigade, with six single battalion Regiments, with the Headquartiers in ] and the various Regiments stationed in ], ], ], ] and ] (VR).

			After the ] between the Allies and Italy most of the troops of the "Nembo" stationed on ] decided to side with Italian ] ] and began to fight the retreating German troops. Subsequently, the remnants of the "Nembo" were used to form the ] of the ] in 1944. The combat group was equipped with British materiel and uniforms and fought as part of the British ] in ].
	The Brigade is composed by three Parachute Infantry Regiments (183rd, 186th and 187th), an Assault (Special Forces) Regiment (the 9th Col Moschin), an "Artillery" Regiment (185th, actually an OP/]/] unit) a Regiment Supply Unit (185th), the "Guastatori" Engineer Regiment (8th), and a Headquarters and Signals company. It also includes the CAPAR of ] (Parachute Training Centre, former SMIPAR - Military Parachute School, in its turn former CAP).

			During the war the ] fielded the 1st Parachute ] Regiment "Folgore", which also fielded a "Nembo" and a "Folgore" battalion.
	Composed of:

			=== Cold War ===
	** ] Parachutist Training Center in ] (])
			{{see also\|Mechanized Division "Folgore"}}
	** ] ] “Col Moschin” in Livorno (Tuscany) (])
	** ] 183rd Parachute Regiment “Nembo” in Pistoia (Tuscany) with 26 ]
	** ] 186th Parachute Regiment “Folgore” in Siena (Tuscany) with 26 ]
	** ] 187° Parachute Regiment “Folgore” in Livorno (]) with 26 ]
	** ] 185° Parachutist Reconnaissance Regiment “Folgore” in Livorno (Tuscany) (]/])
	** ] 8° Parachutist Engineer Regiment in Legnago (Veneto)
	** Reparto Comando e Supporti Tattici "Folgore" in Livorno

			After World War II the Combat Group "Folgore" became one of the Italian Army's first divisions and by 1954 one of the strongest. The ] was mechanized infantry unit based in the North-eastern Italian city of ]. Airborne troops and operations were to be performed by the Military Parachuting Centre in ].
	23 October celebrates the anniversary of the ] (1942).

			On 1 January 1963 the Military Parachuting Center was reorganized and renamed Paratroopers Brigade, which consisted of the 1st Paratroopers Regiment with the II and V paratroopers battalions, the Paratroopers Saboteurs Battalion, a ] Paratroopers Company, which was expanded to battalion on 15 July 1963 and a Paratroopers Field Artillery Battery, which was expanded to group on 1 June 1963 and armed with ] howitzers, and the Paratroopers Training Center. On 1 April 1964 the brigade lost the Paratroopers Training Center in Pisa to the army's Infantry and Cavalry Inspectorate. On 10 June 1967 the Paratroopers Brigade was renamed Paratroopers Brigade "Folgore".<ref name="Brigata"/>
	Patron saint: ] (29 September).

			With the ] the army abolished the regimental level and re-organised its brigades. Therefore, the "Folgore" brigade's 1st Paratroopers Regiment disbanded on 1 October 1975 and its two battalions became the 2nd Paratroopers Battalion "Tarquinia'" and the 5th Paratroopers Battalion "El Alamein". After the reform the brigade was structured as follows:<ref name="Brigata"/>
	=="Folgore"==
	The name "Folgore" refers to two different units (coexisting until the "Division" level was removed from the Italian Army Order of Battle in 1986) of the Italian army: the ''Folgore'' Airborne Brigade and the ''Folgore'' Mechanized Division, the latter based in eastern Italy and tasked to defend the "Soglia di Gorizia".

			* ] '''Paratroopers Brigade "Folgore"''', in ]<ref name='Brigata "Folgore"'>{{cite web \|title=Brigata Paracadutisti "Folgore" - La Storia \|url=https://www.esercito.difesa.it/organizzazione/capo-di-sme/COMFOTER/Brigata-Paracadutisti-Folgore/Pagine/La-Storia.aspx \|publisher=Esercito Italiano \|access-date=16 June 2024}}</ref><ref name='Folgore'>{{cite book \|last1=F. dell'Uomo, R. Puletti \|title=L'Esercito Italiano verso il 2000 - Vol. Primo - Tomo I \|date=1998 \|publisher=SME - Ufficio Storico \|location=Rome \|page=102}}</ref><ref name="Schema N. 11">{{cite book \|last1=F. dell'Uomo, R. Puletti \|title=L'Esercito Italiano verso il 2000 - Vol. Primo - Tomo I \|date=1998 \|publisher=SME - Ufficio Storico \|location=Rome \|page=212}}</ref>
	] to both units: the ] on the ]/] (integrated with a ] for the Airborne Brigade) and the yellow lightning bolt, symbol of the unit (on red field for the Mechanized Division, on sky blue field, with superimposed stylized white wings for the Airborne Brigade).
			** Paratroopers Command and Signal Unit "Folgore",<ref name='Brigata "Folgore"'/> in Livorno
	Currently the Military Parachute Center (CAPAR) is based in ].
			** ],<ref name='Brigata "Folgore"'/> in Livorno
			** ] ],<ref name='Brigata "Folgore"'/><ref>{{cite web \|title=187° Reggimento Paracadutisti "Folgore" - La Storia \|url=https://www.esercito.difesa.it/organizzazione/capo-di-sme/COMFOTER/Brigata-Paracadutisti-Folgore/187-Reggimento-Paracadutisti-Folgore/Pagine/la-storia.aspx \|publisher=Esercito Italiano \|access-date=16 June 2024}}</ref> in Livorno
			** ] ] (Recruits Training), in Pisa<ref name='Folgore'/><ref name='Brigata "Folgore"'/>
			** ] ],<ref name='Brigata "Folgore"'/><ref>{{cite web \|title=186° Reggimento Paracadutisti "Folgore" - La Storia \|url=https://www.esercito.difesa.it/organizzazione/capo-di-sme/COMFOTER/Brigata-Paracadutisti-Folgore/186-Reggimento-Paracadutisti-Folgore/Pagine/la-storia.aspx \|publisher=Esercito Italiano \|access-date=16 June 2024}}</ref> in Livorno (moved to ] in 1978)
			** ] ],<ref>{{cite web \|title=9° Reggimento d'Assalto Paracadutisti "Col Moschin" - La Storia \|url=https://www.esercito.difesa.it/organizzazione/capo-di-sme/COMFOTER/Comando-delle-Forze-Speciali-dell-Esercito/9-Reggimento-dAssalto-Paracadutisti-Col-Moschin/Pagine/La-Storia.aspx \|publisher=Esercito Italiano \|access-date=16 June 2024}}</ref><ref name='Brigata "Folgore"'/> in Livorno
			** ] ],<ref name='Brigata "Folgore"'/><ref>{{cite web \|title=185° Reggimento Artiglieria Paracadutisti "Folgore" - La Storia \|url=https://www.esercito.difesa.it/organizzazione/capo-di-sme/COMFOTER/Brigata-Paracadutisti-Folgore/185-Reggimento-Artiglieria-Paracadutisti-Folgore/Pagine/la-storia.aspx \|publisher=Esercito Italiano \|access-date=16 June 2024}}</ref> in Livorno (] towed ]s)
			** ] ],<ref name='Brigata "Folgore"'/><ref>{{cite web \|title=Reggimento Logistico "Folgore" - La Storia \|url=https://www.esercito.difesa.it/organizzazione/capo-di-sme/COMFOTER/Brigata-Paracadutisti-Folgore/6-Reggimento-di-Manovra/Pagine/la-storia.aspx \|publisher=Esercito Italiano \|access-date=16 June 2024}}</ref> in ]
			** ], at Pisa-]<ref name="AVES">{{cite book \|last1=Cerbo \|first1=Giovanni \|title=L'Aviazione dell'Esercito - Dalle origini ai giorni nostri \|date=1996 \|publisher=Rivista Militare \|location=Rome \|page=128 \|url=https://issuu.com/rivista.militare1/docs/1996_-l_aviazione__dell_esercito \|access-date=28 November 2018}}</ref><ref name="ALE Ordinamento">{{cite book \|last1=Stefani \|first1=Filippo \|title=La storia della dottrina e degli ordinamenti dell'Esercito Italiano - Vol. III - Tomo 2nd \|date=1989 \|publisher=Ufficio Storico - Stato Maggiore dell'Esercito \|location=Rome \|page=1187}}</ref>
			*** Command and Services Squadron
			*** 426th Reconnaissance Helicopters Squadron (] reconnaissance helicopters)
			*** 526th Multirole Helicopters Squadron (] multirole helicopters)
			** Paratroopers Pathfinder Company "Folgore", in Siena
			** Paratroopers Anti-tank Company "Folgore", in Livorno (] ]s)
			** Paratroopers Engineer Company "Folgore", in ]

			In 1982 the brigade deployed in Italy's first international mission abroad since World War II, when it joined the ] and on 1 January 1983 the Military Parachuting School in Pisa with the 3rd Paratroopers (Recruits Training) Battalion "Poggio Rusco" returned to the brigade .<ref name="Brigata"/>
	==185th Regiment==

			On 1 January 1986, the "Folgore" brigade and the ], in conjunction with some units of the Army's Light Army Aviation and the ] ], became the Rapid Intervention Forces of the ], deployable on short notice for out of area missions. On 31 October of the same year the army disbanded the ], leaving the Paratroopers Brigade "Folgore" as only heir of the name and traditions associated with the name "Folgore".<ref name="Brigata"/>
	The 185th Regiment is a part of the Brigade Parachutists ''Folgore'', which is in charge of the training and preparation of the unit. It is sometimes used as a operating support unit of SF: 9th Regt "Col Moschin" of the Army, the Raiders Operation Group (GOI) of the Navy, the Air Commandos unit and for some special features including the Intervention Group (GIS ) of the Carabinieri. The Italian SF depends on the Operations Command Special Forces (COFS) and Operating support group depends on the referring SF .

			In 1991 tactical group of the brigade was sent to ] as part of the ]. The same year the army disbanded seven combat brigades as the ] had ended. On 31 May 1991 the "Folgore" received the 183rd Mechanized Infantry Battalion "Nembo" from the ], which subsequently was re-roled as a paratroopers battalion. Beginning in 1992 the battalions returned to their regimental names.<ref name="Brigata"/> The brigade's new structure was as follows:
	Previously a Parachute Artillery unit, its main tasks are now Target Acquisition, Reconnaissance (both to you carried out in hostile territory) and laser designation for "smart" ammunition.

			* ] '''Paratroopers Brigade "Folgore"''', in ]
	Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and Enlisted personnel of the unit are recruited by selection or by cooptation (with a previous verification of psychological and physical requirement) from other units of the Army.
			** ] Command and Signal Unit "Folgore", in Livorno
			** ], in Livorno
			** ] ], in Livorno
			** ] ], in ]
			** ] ], in ] (former 5th Paratroopers Battalion)
			** ] ], in Livorno (former 2nd Paratroopers Battalion)
			** ] ], in Livorno, with ] ]s
			** ] ], in ]
			** ] Military Parachuting School, in Pisa
			** 26th Light Airplanes and Helicopters Squadron "Giove", at ]
			** Paratroopers Engineer Company "Folgore", in Lucca

			On 3 December 1992 the brigade deployed for a year to ] as part of ] (later ]). There the brigade was engaged in a battle on 2 July 1993 where it lost three men and a further 36 were injured. The three deceased soldiers were each awarded the ] for their conduct during the battle.
	The Regiment has been engaged in ] and ] (where ] Salvatore Marracino and ] Nicholas Ciardelli lost their lives).

			=== After the Cold War ===
	==Peacekeeping==
			On 1 October 1997, the brigades passed to the ] (Comando Forze di Proiezione or COMFOP), which commanded all rapid-deployable units of the Italian Army. However, on 1 December 2000 the brigade passed to the ] (1° Comando Forze di Difesa or COMFOD 1°) and received the 5th Engineer Battalion "Bolsena" in ], which was renamed as ] and incorporated the brigade's Paratroopers Engineer Company "Folgore". The same year on 31 August the 185th Paratroopers Artillery Regiment "Folgore" retired its howitzers and began its conversion to a ] ] unit.<ref name="Brigata"/>
	The Brigade has been employed in numerous peacekeeping missions in the recent years.
	* ] in 1982 (one of the first international missions of peace).
	* In 1991 a Parachutist Tactical group was in ] in the picture of the mission of humanitarian aid "Italfor Airone".
	* From July 1992 the Brigade supplied personnel for the operation "Vespri Siciliani" (anti-crime operation in Sicily).
	* The Folgore participated ], in ], from 3 December 1992 to September 1993.
	* Parts of the Brigade have been employed many times over in the Balkans (Missions ]/] in ] and ] in ]), with Multinational Force in ] and
	* Elements of the brigade participated in UN Mission ] to ].
	* The Folgore participated from August 2005 to September 2005 in the operation "Antica Babilonia" in ].
	* In August 2007 tookpart in operation "Leonte 2" in ], under aegis of the UN (Resolution 1701), as a result of the war between ] and ] of the summer of ].

			In March 2001, the brigade lost its logistic battalion and the 26th Light Airplanes and Helicopters Squadron "Giove" and when in 2002 the ] were separated from the Army to become the Fourth ] the 1st Carabinieri Paratroopers Regiment "Tuscania" left the brigade. From April to September 2005 the brigade was employed in Iraq as part of the ]. In 2007 the brigade sent a task force to ] as part of ], while the majority of its units deployed to Lebanon as part of ]. The brigade deployed twice to ] in support of ] – once in 2009 and once in 2011
	== Honors ==
	]
	* Individual awards:
	** Corporal Major Antonio ANDRIOLO, 186th Parachute Regiment, October 23 – November 4, 1942 ]
	** First Lieutenant (cpl) Roberto BANDINI, 186th Parachute Regiment, October 23–25, 1942 ]
	** First Lieutenant (cpl) Ferruccio BRANDI, 187th Parachute Regiment, October 24, 1942 ]
	** Second Lieutenant Pietro BRUNO 132d Transport Regiment
	** Private Giuseppe CAPPELLETTO, 186th Parachute Regiment, October 23–25, 1942 ]
	** Private Giacomo CESARONI, 187th Parachute Regiment, October 29, 1942 ]
	** Private Leandro FRANCHI, 186th Parachute Regiment, November 1942, ]
	** Second Lieutenant (cpl) Giovanni GAMBAUDO, 186th Parachute Regiment, October 23–24, 1942 ]
	** Sergeant Major Mario GIARETTO, 186th Parachute Regiment, August 8, 1942
	** First Lieutenant Marco GOLA, 186th Parachute Regiment, October 23–24, 1942 ]
	** Second Lieutenant Omero LUCCHI, Folgore Division Artillery, August 31 – September 4, 1942
	** Private Gerardo LUSTRISSIMI, 186th Parachute Regiment, October 23–25, 1942 ]
	** Sapper Clinio MISSERVILLE, 185th Assault Sapper Company, September 10, 1942
	** Sergeant Major Dario PIRLONE, 185th Artillery Regiment, October 24, 1942, ]
	** Sergeant Nicola PISTILLO, 186th Parachute Regiment, October 23–25, 1942 ]
	** Corporal Major Dario PONZECCHI, 185th Parachute Regiment, October 26, 1942, ]
	** Major (cpl) Aurelio ROSSI, 187th Parachute Regiment, August 20 – September 3, 1942
	** Captain Fabio RUGIADI, 187th Parachute Regiment, August 30, 1942
	** Lieutenant Colonel Carlo Marescotti RUSPOLI, Prince of Poggio Suasa, 186th Parachute Regiment
	** Captain (cpl) Costantino RUSPOLI, Prince of Poggio Suasa, 187th Parachute Regiment, October 26–27, 1942, ]
	** Lieutenant Colonel ] 132d Transport Regiment
	** Lieutenant Gianfranco PAGLIA, 183° Reggimento Paracadutisti "Nembo", Somalia, July 2, 1992 Check Point Pasta
	** Captain Gastone SIMONI, 187th Parachute Regiment, October 23–27, 1942, ]
	** First Lieutenant Giovanni STARACE, Folgore Division, July–November, 1942
	** Second Lieutenant Giovanni STASSI, 186th Parachute Regiment, August 25 – September 2, 1942
	*Collective awards:
	* 186th and 187th Parachute Regiments “Folgore” collective Medal for the battle of El Alamein<ref name="esercito.difesa.it"></ref> North Africa, 22 July – 12 October 1942
	* 185° Parachute Artillery Regiment “Folgore” collective Medal for the battle of El Alamein<ref name="esercito.difesa.it"/> Battaglia di El Alamein, 23 October – 6 November 1942
	* 185th Parachute Division “Folgore” - collective Medal for the battle of El Alamein<ref name="esercito.difesa.it"/> ], 4 November 1942

	==~~References~~==		== Organization ==
			{{Location map+ \| Italy Tuscany
	<references/>
			\| width = 420
			\| caption = {{center\|Paratroopers Brigade "Folgore" units in 2022<br>'']'' is based in ] in ]<br>'']'' is based in ] in ]}}
			\| places =
			{{Location map~\| Italy Tuscany
			\| label = ]
			\| position = left
			\| background = white
			\| mark = Blue 0080ff pog.svg
			\| marksize = 10
			\| lat_deg = 43 \| lat_min = 33 \| lat_dir = N
			\| lon_deg = 10 \| lon_min = 19 \| lon_dir = E
			}}
			{{Location map~\|Italy Tuscany
			\| label = <small>]</small>
			\| position = right
			\| background = white
			\| mark = Orange pog.svg
			\| marksize = 8
			\| lat_deg = 42 \| lat_min = 46 \| lat_dir = N
			\| lon_deg = 11 \| lon_min = 06 \| lon_dir = E
			}}
			{{Location map~\|Italy Tuscany
			\| label = <small>]</small>
			\| position = right
			\| background = white
			\| mark = Blue 0080ff pog.svg
			\| marksize = 8
			\| lat_deg = 43 \| lat_min = 56 \| lat_dir = N
			\| lon_deg = 10 \| lon_min = 55 \| lon_dir = E
			}}
			{{Location map~\|Italy Tuscany
			\| label = <small>]</small>
			\| position = right
			\| background = white
			\| mark = Blue 0080ff pog.svg
			\| marksize = 8
			\| lat_deg = 43 \| lat_min = 19 \| lat_dir = N
			\| lon_deg = 11 \| lon_min = 19 \| lon_dir = E
			}}
			{{Location map~\|Italy Tuscany
			\| label = <small>]</small>
			\| position = right
			\| background = white
			\| mark = Blue 0080ff pog.svg
			\| marksize = 8
			\| lat_deg = 43 \| lat_min = 33 \| lat_dir = N
			\| lon_deg = 10 \| lon_min = 21 \| lon_dir = E
			}}
			{{Location map~\|Italy Tuscany
			\| label = <small>]</small>
			\| position = right
			\| background = white
			\| mark = Purple pog.svg
			\| marksize = 8
			\| lat_deg = 43 \| lat_min = 43 \| lat_dir = N
			\| lon_deg = 10 \| lon_min = 24 \| lon_dir = E
			}}
			}}
			]

			With the 2013 reform the "Folgore" changed its composition significantly. The brigade lost its two special forces units which both passed to the ] (COMFOSE) in Pisa. In return the brigade received the Regiment "Savoia Cavalleria" (3rd) from the ], the 33rd Self-propelled Field Artillery Regiment "Acqui" from the ] and the 6th Logistic Regiment from the disbanded Logistic Projection Command. Upon entering the brigade the 33rd Artillery Regiment was renamed as ], while the 6th Logistic Regiment was renamed as Logistic Regiment "Folgore". As of 4 October 2022 the brigade consists of the following units:

			* ] '''Paratroopers Brigade "Folgore"''', in ] (Tuscany)
			** ], in Livorno
			** ] ], in ] (Tuscany) with ] ]s
			** ] ], in ] (Tuscany) with ] vehicles
			** ] ], in ] (Tuscany) with VTLM Lince vehicles
			** ] ], in Livorno (]) with VTLM Lince vehicles
			** ] ], in ] (Lazio) with ]
			** ] ], in ] (Veneto)
			** ] ], in ] (Tuscany)
			** ] Parachuting Training Center, in Pisa (Tuscany)

			The composition of the brigade is identical to the composition of the ] and ], the other light brigades of the Italian Army.

			== Equipment ==
			The paratrooper regiments are equipped with ] light multirole vehicles. The maneuver support companies of the paratrooper regiments are equipped with ] and ] ] systems. The cavalry regiment is equipped with ] ]s and ] vehicles. The brigade's artillery regiment is equipped with 18x ].

			== Gorget patches ==
			{{main\|Italian Army gorget patches}}

			The personnel of the brigade's units wears the following gorget patches:<ref>{{cite web \|title=Brigata Paracadutisti "Folgore" \|url=https://www.esercito.difesa.it/organizzazione/capo-di-sme/COMFOTER/Brigata-Paracadutisti-Folgore/Pagine/default.aspx \|publisher=Italian Army \|access-date=13 December 2019}}</ref>

			<gallery>
			File:Mostrina - Trasmissioni per Aviotruppe.png\|{{center\|]}}
			File:Mostrina - "Savoia Cavalleria" (3°).png\|{{center\|]}}
			File:Mostrina - Paracadutisti.png\|{{center\|]}}
			File:Mostrina - Paracadutisti.png\|{{center\|]}}
			File:Mostrina - Paracadutisti.png\|{{center\|]}}
			File:Mostrina - Artiglieria per Aviotruppe.png\|{{center\|]}}
			File:Mostrina - Genio Guastatori per Aviotruppe.png\|{{center\|]}}
			File:Mostrina - TRAMAT per Aviotruppe.png\|{{center\|]}}
			File:Mostrina - Paracadutisti.png\|{{center\|Parachuting Training Center}}
			</gallery>

	==See also==		==See also==
	* ]		* ]

	* ]
			==References==
			{{reflist}}
			*

	==External links==		==External links==
	*		*
	*		*
	*		*
	*		*
	*		*
	*		*
	*		*

			{{Italian Military}}
	]
	]		{{Italian Army}}

			]
	]
			]
	]
			]
	]
			]
			{{DEFAULTSORT:Paratroopers Brigade Folgore}}

Latest revision as of 18:02, 5 November 2024

This article is about the currently active Italian Army Paratroopers Brigade "Folgore". For the World War II Royal Italian Army division, see 185th Infantry Division "Folgore". For the Cold War Italian Army division, see Mechanized Division "Folgore".

Paratroopers Brigade "Folgore"
Brigata Paracadutisti "Folgore"
Coat of Arms the Paratroopers Brigade "Folgore"
Active	1 January 1963 – Today
Country	Italy
Branch	Italian Army
Type	Airborne
Role	Paratroopers Light Infantry
Size	Brigade
Part of	Division "Vittorio Veneto"
Garrison/HQ	Livorno
Colors	light blue
March	Come Folgore dal Cielo (Like lightning from the sky)
Mascot(s)	Archangel Michael
Anniversaries	23 October (Second Battle of El Alamein)
Engagements	Lebanon MNF Kurdistan Operation Provide Comfort Somalia UNITAF Bosnia IFOR/SFOR Kosovo KFOR Iraq MNF-I East Timor INTERFET Lebanon UNIFIL II Afghanistan ISAF
Commanders
Current commander	Brigadier General Roberto Vergori

Military unit

The Paratroopers Brigade "Folgore" is an airborne brigade of the Italian Army. Its core units are three battalions of paratroopers (paracadutisti). The name "Folgore" is Italian for lightning. The Folgore is one of three light infantry brigades of the Italian Army. While the Folgore specializes in parachute operations its sister brigade in the Division "Vittorio Veneto" the Airmobile Brigade Friuli specializes in helicopter assault operations. The Folgore and its units are based in Tuscany, Veneto and Lazio.

History

World War II

Main articles: 185th Infantry Division "Folgore" and Combat Group "Folgore"

The first Italian paratrooper units were trained and formed shortly before World War II in Castel Benito, near Tripoli in Libya, where the first Military Parachuting School was located. Later the school was moved to Tarquinia in Italy.

On 1 September 1941 the Royal Italian Army raised the 1st Paratroopers Division in Tarquinia. The division initially was organized as follows:

1st Paratroopers Division
- 1st Paratroopers Infantry Regiment (raised 1 April 1941)
  - II Paratroopers Battalion
  - III Paratroopers Battalion
  - IV Paratroopers Battalion
  - Cannons Company (47/32 cannons)
- 2nd Paratroopers Infantry Regiment (raised 1 September 1941)
  - V Paratroopers Battalion
  - VI Paratroopers Battalion
  - VII Paratroopers Battalion
  - Cannons Company (47/32 cannons)
- I Paratroopers Artillery Group (47/32 cannons, raised 28 August 1941)

For reasons of order of precedence the title I Paratroopers Battalion was reserved for the I Carabinieri Paratroopers Battalion. The division was intended to be used in Operation Hercules – the planned Axis invasion of Malta. On 30 April 1941 the Italian paratroopers were deployed for the first time when the II Paratroopers Battalion jumped onto Cephalonia.

In 1942 the division was further augmented: on 15 January the II Paratroopers Artillery Group was raised, followed by the III Paratroopers Artillery Group on 10 March. On the same date the Paratroopers Division Artillery Regiment was activated. The regiment took command of the three paratroopers artillery groups, which each fielded two batteries with four 47/32 cannons per battery. On 15 March 1942 the 3rd Paratroopers Infantry Regiment with the battalions VIII, IX, and X was raised in Tarquinia.

On 27 July 1942 the division's name was changed to 185th Infantry Division "Folgore" and its regiments were renumbered and renamed as well. The new structure was as follows:

185th Infantry Division "Folgore"
- 185th Infantry Regiment "Folgore"
  - II Paratroopers Battalion
  - III Paratroopers Battalion
  - IV Paratroopers Battalion
  - Cannons Company (47/32 cannons)
- 186th Infantry Regiment "Folgore"
  - V Paratroopers Battalion
  - VI Paratroopers Battalion
  - VII Paratroopers Battalion
  - Cannons Company (47/32 cannons)
- 187th Infantry Regiment "Folgore"
  - VIII Paratroopers Battalion (re-roled as Paratroopers Sapper unit in May 1942)
  - IX Paratroopers Battalion
  - X Paratroopers Battalion
  - Cannons Company (47/32 cannons)
- 185th Artillery Regiment "Folgore"
  - I Paratroopers Artillery Group (47/32 cannons)
  - II Paratroopers Artillery Group (47/32 cannons)
  - III Paratroopers Artillery Group (47/32 cannons)
  - Regimental Services Battery

The division was then sent to Italian Libya to bolster Axis forces in the Western Desert campaign. Before the departing for North Africa the 185th Infantry Regiment "Folgore" and 187th Infantry Regiment "Folgore" switched units: the 185th ceded the more experienced II and IV to 187th, which in turn ceded the VIII and X to the 185th. When the division arrived in Africa the three artillery groups of the 185th Artillery Regiment "Folgore" were merged into two artillery groups of three batteries each, thus providing one group for each infantry regiment, which in turn could now provide one battery to each battalion of a regiment. Additionally a seventh battery was formed with surplus materiel found by the division during its transfer to the front.

On 15 September the 185th Infantry Regiment "Folgore", which had remained in Italy, left the division and changed its name to 185th Infantry Regiment "Nembo" and became the basis for the 184th Infantry Division "Nembo" (Nemo Italian for Nimbus). To aid in the raising of the 183rd Infantry Regiment "Nembo" the 185th ceded its X Paratroopers Battalion to the 183rd and raised the XI Paratroopers Battalion in its stead.

In North Africa the division participated in the First and Second Battle of El Alamein. During the latter division put up a fierce defense against advancing Allied forces, managing to drive off repeated assaults conducted by tanks and infantry working in unison. However, in the course of the battle the division was annihilated and declared lost on 23 November 1942.

After the Armistice of Cassibile between the Allies and Italy most of the troops of the "Nembo" stationed on Sardinia decided to side with Italian King Victor Emmanuel III and began to fight the retreating German troops. Subsequently, the remnants of the "Nembo" were used to form the Combat Group "Folgore" of the Italian Co-Belligerent Army in 1944. The combat group was equipped with British materiel and uniforms and fought as part of the British XIII Corps in Italian Campaign.

During the war the fascist regime in Northern Italy fielded the 1st Parachute Arditi Regiment "Folgore", which also fielded a "Nembo" and a "Folgore" battalion.

Cold War

After the Cold War

On 1 October 1997, the brigades passed to the Projection Forces Command (Comando Forze di Proiezione or COMFOP), which commanded all rapid-deployable units of the Italian Army. However, on 1 December 2000 the brigade passed to the 1st Defence Forces Command (1° Comando Forze di Difesa or COMFOD 1°) and received the 5th Engineer Battalion "Bolsena" in Legnano, which was renamed as 8th Engineer Regiment "Folgore" and incorporated the brigade's Paratroopers Engineer Company "Folgore". The same year on 31 August the 185th Paratroopers Artillery Regiment "Folgore" retired its howitzers and began its conversion to a Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol Special Operations unit.

In March 2001, the brigade lost its logistic battalion and the 26th Light Airplanes and Helicopters Squadron "Giove" and when in 2002 the Carabinieri were separated from the Army to become the Fourth Armed Force of Italy the 1st Carabinieri Paratroopers Regiment "Tuscania" left the brigade. From April to September 2005 the brigade was employed in Iraq as part of the Multi-National Force – Iraq. In 2007 the brigade sent a task force to East Timor as part of International Force for East Timor, while the majority of its units deployed to Lebanon as part of United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon II. The brigade deployed twice to Afghanistan in support of ISAF – once in 2009 and once in 2011

Organization

Folgore

Savoia Cavalleria (3)

183 Nembo

186 Folgore

187 Folgore

Logistic Rgtclass=notpageimage| Paratroopers Brigade "Folgore" units in 2022
185th Paratroopers Artillery Regiment is based in Bracciano in Lazio
8th Paratroopers Engineer Regiment is based in Legnago in Veneto

With the 2013 reform the "Folgore" changed its composition significantly. The brigade lost its two special forces units which both passed to the Army Special Forces Command (COMFOSE) in Pisa. In return the brigade received the Regiment "Savoia Cavalleria" (3rd) from the Airmobile Brigade "Friuli", the 33rd Self-propelled Field Artillery Regiment "Acqui" from the Mechanized Brigade "Granatieri di Sardegna" and the 6th Logistic Regiment from the disbanded Logistic Projection Command. Upon entering the brigade the 33rd Artillery Regiment was renamed as 185th Paratroopers Artillery Regiment "Folgore", while the 6th Logistic Regiment was renamed as Logistic Regiment "Folgore". As of 4 October 2022 the brigade consists of the following units:

Paratroopers Brigade "Folgore", in Livorno (Tuscany)
- 184th Paratroopers Command and Tactical Supports Unit "Nembo", in Livorno
- Regiment "Savoia Cavalleria" (3rd), in Grosseto (Tuscany) with B1 Centauro tank destroyers
- 183rd Paratroopers Regiment "Nembo", in Pistoia (Tuscany) with VTLM Lince vehicles
- 186th Paratroopers Regiment "Folgore", in Siena (Tuscany) with VTLM Lince vehicles
- 187th Paratroopers Regiment "Folgore", in Livorno (Tuscany) with VTLM Lince vehicles
- 185th Paratroopers Artillery Regiment "Folgore", in Bracciano (Lazio) with F1 120 mm mortars
- 8th Paratroopers Engineer Regiment "Folgore", in Legnago (Veneto)
- Logistic Regiment "Folgore", in Pisa (Tuscany)
- Parachuting Training Center, in Pisa (Tuscany)

The composition of the brigade is identical to the composition of the Alpine Brigade "Julia" and Alpine Brigade "Taurinense", the other light brigades of the Italian Army.

Equipment

The paratrooper regiments are equipped with Lince light multirole vehicles. The maneuver support companies of the paratrooper regiments are equipped with 120 mm mortars and Spike anti-tank guided missile systems. The cavalry regiment is equipped with Centauro tank destroyers and VTLM Lince vehicles. The brigade's artillery regiment is equipped with 18x 120 mm mortars.

Gorget patches

Main article: Italian Army gorget patches

The personnel of the brigade's units wears the following gorget patches:

References

^ "Brigata Paracadutisti "Folgore" - La Storia". Italian Army. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
^ "185° Reggimento Paracadutisti "Folgore" - La Storia". Italian Army. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
^ "187° Reggimento Paracadutisti "Folgore" - La Storia". Italian Army. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
^ "186° Reggimento Paracadutisti "Folgore" - La Storia". Italian Army. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
^ "185° Reggimento Artiglieria Paracadutisti "Folgore" - La Storia". Italian Army. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
"8° Reggimento Genio Guastatori Paracadutisti "Folgore" - La Storia". Italian Army. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
^ "Brigata Paracadutisti "Folgore" - La Storia". Esercito Italiano. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
^ F. dell'Uomo, R. Puletti (1998). L'Esercito Italiano verso il 2000 - Vol. Primo - Tomo I. Rome: SME - Ufficio Storico. p. 102.
F. dell'Uomo, R. Puletti (1998). L'Esercito Italiano verso il 2000 - Vol. Primo - Tomo I. Rome: SME - Ufficio Storico. p. 212.
"187° Reggimento Paracadutisti "Folgore" - La Storia". Esercito Italiano. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
"186° Reggimento Paracadutisti "Folgore" - La Storia". Esercito Italiano. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
"9° Reggimento d'Assalto Paracadutisti "Col Moschin" - La Storia". Esercito Italiano. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
"185° Reggimento Artiglieria Paracadutisti "Folgore" - La Storia". Esercito Italiano. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
"Reggimento Logistico "Folgore" - La Storia". Esercito Italiano. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
Cerbo, Giovanni (1996). L'Aviazione dell'Esercito - Dalle origini ai giorni nostri. Rome: Rivista Militare. p. 128. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
Stefani, Filippo (1989). La storia della dottrina e degli ordinamenti dell'Esercito Italiano - Vol. III - Tomo 2nd. Rome: Ufficio Storico - Stato Maggiore dell'Esercito. p. 1187.
"Brigata Paracadutisti "Folgore"". Italian Army. Retrieved 13 December 2019.

Italian Army homepage: History of the "Folgore"

External links

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Leadership

Ranks

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One-star rank (OF 6)

Brigades	"Aosta" "Ariete" "Folgore" "Friuli" "Garibaldi" "Granatieri di Sardegna" "Julia" "Pinerolo" "Pozzuolo del Friuli" "Sassari" "Taurinense" Army Aviation Support NRDC-ITA Support Tactical Intelligence
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