17th Raiders Wing

The 17th Raiders Wing, previously known as the Air Force Raiders Unit (RIAM) until April 8, 2008, is the TIER 1 Special Forces unit of the Air Force.

It has its roots in the Arditi Distruttori della Regia Aeronautica (ADRA), active during World War II. From the ADRA unit, it inherited the "sand-colored beret" and the combat dagger "Adra Ordinanza".

The current name derives from the dissolved "17th Guided Interceptor Wing" and the motto from the 17th Fighter Group, and it is part of the 1st Air Brigade "Special Operations", under the operational command of the COFS (Joint Special Operations Command).

History

In February 1937, the Regia Aeronautica was tasked with organizing Parachuting Schools, inaugurating in 1938 the "Libya Paratrooper School Field", with the first students among the Libyan Ascari. Subsequently, in 1939, the first military parachuting school in Italy was founded in Tarquinia. In 1940, the paratroopers had their baptism of fire in Libya, during the defense of the city of Derna against British forces. Despite their fierce resistance, they were forced to give ground.

In 1942, as part of the planning for Operation C3, the Italian plan for the invasion of Malta, the 1st Assault Regiment "Amedeo d'Aosta" was created, intended to play a central role in the occupation of the island's airports. Within this plan, several special units were formed, including the ADRA Battalion (Arditi Distruttori della Regia Aeronautica), specialized in sabotage missions.

The battalion was composed of about 300 men and was responsible for daring missions against enemy targets, such as the Benghazi airport, where they managed to destroy several aircraft.

After the armistice of September 8, 1943, part of the ADRA Battalion continued to fight alongside the Allies in the Italian liberation war. In 1944, Marshal Messe organized an Air Force arditi battalion, destined to participate in operations for the liberation of the peninsula.

In the post-war period, in 1968, the Air Force initiated the formation of the Air Force Regiment Training Group (G.F.R.A.M.), under the leadership of Captain Antonio Mariani. This group, composed of paratrooper-raiders-saboteurs, carried out intense training activities and was also engaged in anti-terrorism operations. The unit was later disbanded, but a nucleus of paratroopers remained active under the name "Falchi Blu", performing demonstrative parachute jumps.

In 2003, the Air Force officially established the Air Force Raiders Unit (RIAM) at the Furbara detachment. In 2008, the unit assumed its current name of 17th Raiders Wing, receiving the War Flag on March 30, 2009.

The Raiders of the 17th

The raiders of the 17th Wing of the Air Force (AM) operate both nationally and internationally, within contexts such as NATO, EU, and multinational coalitions, with a focus on special operations with a strong aeronautical connotation. Trained to intervene in variable environments, from high altitude to underwater, the raiders carry out critical missions, including counterterrorism and direct operations against strategic targets.

Their main missions include air traffic control in operational areas (Combat Controller), weather condition monitoring (Combat Weatherman), and search and rescue operations in hostile contexts (Combat SAR).

The 17th Raiders Wing stands out for its ability to intervene quickly with high operational autonomy in complex scenarios, ensuring the protection of national interests and contributing to mitigating political risks related to threats such as international terrorism.

Missions

The 17th Raiders Wing of the Air Force has participated in numerous missions in Italy and abroad.

The new capabilities acquired have allowed the Raiders to take part in international missions such as "Ancient Babylon" in Iraq, operations in Chad, Mali, Somalia (Operation Tortuga, against piracy), Libya (Operation Unified Protector), and Afghanistan, where the unit was involved in Operation Sarissa.

Since 2007, the unit has been deployed in Afghanistan, operating within the Task Force 45, alongside the 9th Paratrooper Assault Regiment "Col Moschin" of the Italian Army, the GOI of the Navy, and the GIS of the Carabinieri.

In 2011, it participated in Operation Unified Protector in Libya, with tasks such as Ground Laser Target Designator and Joint Tactical Air Controller.

The unit was also employed in Task Force 44 "Centuria" in Iraq, as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, to counter Daesh forces. Here it conducted training and reconnaissance missions, collaborating with other Italian and international units.

In 2021-2022, it took part in Task Force Takuba in Mali, as part of the European Union Training Mission, with reconnaissance and MEDEVAC tasks.

Operator Training

Access to the Raiders specialty is through an internal competition within the Air Force. Starting from December 12, 2017, it became possible to participate in recruitment for the Air Force with a one-year fixed-term enlistment (VFP1).

The selection process includes a pre-selection based on physical fitness, psycho-physical and aptitude assessments, followed by physical efficiency tests (which include fourteen athletic tests).

The selection and training process to become an Air Force raider is primarily managed by the Training Group (GA) of the 17th Wing and is developed in modular phases, all extremely selective. The first step is the Air Force Special Operations Forces Course (FOSAM), which lasts about 9-10 months. At the end of this course, participants obtain the first qualification of "STOS Operator" (Tactical Support to Special Operations).

After the FOSAM course, the path divides into two branches:

1. STOS operators who successfully complete the course and rank high in the merit list can proceed with the BIAM Course (Air Force Raider Qualification), thus acquiring the raider qualification.
2. Other operators can continue their career as STOS Operators, specializing in tactical support to special operations.

The overall duration of the path to become a STOS Operator is about 9 months, while obtaining the Raider Qualification takes about 14 months. At the end of the training, candidates are assigned to the 17th Raiders Wing.

The instructors of the Training Group are highly qualified and include:

• Rescuers specialized in survival training in various environments (marine, mountain, desert, and hostile).
• Qualified raiders as instructors, many of whom obtained their qualification at the 9th Col Moschin, responsible for the operational training of the trainees.
• Experts in explosive ordnance recognition and disposal (EOR, EOD, and IEDD).

The training path includes a wide range of courses, including:

• Parachuting
• Topography and communications
• Basic Life Support
• Advanced weapons training, with day and night exercises
• Military operations planning
• Survival, evasion, escape, and resistance to interrogation
• Radio operations techniques for Special Forces
• Handling of explosives and air cooperation techniques
• Mountain combat and mobility
• Special reconnaissance and intelligence gathering (Human Intelligence - HUMINT).

This complex and rigorous path prepares the operators and raiders of the Air Force to carry out missions in extremely delicate operational contexts.

To become Air Force Raiders (AM), after passing the Air Force Special Operations Forces Course (FOSAM), one proceeds with the Air Force Raider Qualification Course (BI-AM). This specialized phase, lasting about four months, completes the training of the Raider trainees and culminates in obtaining the Raider Qualification.

Once the qualification is obtained, the training path continues with the Special Forces Combat Readiness phase (PC-FS), which has a planned duration of six months. This advanced training is aimed at making the Raiders fully operational and ready for immediate deployment in military operations (Combat Readiness).

At the end of the PC-FS phase, the Raider is ready to be employed in Operations Outside National Borders (OFCN), thus completing a training path of almost two years.