186th Paratrooper Regiment Folgore

The 186th Paratroopers Regiment Folgore is the heir of the 186th Regiment “Folgore” deployed in the battle of El Alamein and takes over its flag, decorated with a Gold Medal for the conduct shown in the battle itself. It is also decorated with two Silver Medals received in Somalia in 1993 and in Kosovo in 2004, while numerous Paratroopers of the 186th Regiment have received Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals for individual actions.

Previously framed as the 5th Battalion "El Alamein", it was reconstituted as a regiment in 1992 as part of the restructuring of the Italian army.

It is stationed in Siena at the Bandini barracks and in the numerous operations it has participated in, it has often paid a very high price in human lives: In Somalia, during the UNOSOM II operation, it lost several men and was involved in the battle of Checkpoint Pasta on July 2, 1993, where the Regiment counted one fallen, Paratrooper Pasquale Baccaro, Gold Medal for Military Valor, and left numerous wounded on the field, including Second Lieutenant Gianfranco Paglia, also decorated with Gold Medal for Military Valor.

The medals awarded to Baccaro and Paglia will be the first two highest honors awarded to the Regiment after those obtained during the battle of El Alamein in World War II.

In the fighting on July 2, the following also distinguished themselves: Captain Paolo Riccò, Commander of the XV Company “Diavoli Neri”, decorated with Bronze Medal for Military Valor; Sergeant Major Giovanni Bozzini, Second Lieutenant Romeo Carbonetti, Paratrooper Corporal Renzo Polifrone and Paratrooper Carmelo Mandolfo, all decorated with Silver Medal for Military Valor.

During the battle, the XV Company fell into an ambush set by Somali militias along the Imperial Road of Mogadishu and, surrounded by enemy forces, was forced to resist for hours under incessant fire. Despite being in an extremely critical situation with casualties and wounded, they managed to maintain cohesion and repel repeated attacks with a determination that would go down in the history of the Regiment and the Italian Army. Despite the absence of reinforcements, which never managed to reach the area, the Paratroopers led by Captain Riccò, exhausted but united, managed to break the encirclement and retreat autonomously towards Checkpoint Pasta, demonstrating courage and maneuvering ability uncommon for the time (the company was made up of very young conscript Paratroopers).

In the ISAF mission in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2011, the regiment was involved in numerous firefights, counting several wounded. But the hardest day was September 17, 2009: it lost 4 men in the terrorist attack in Kabul. They were members of the 186th Regiment: Lieutenant Antonio Fortunato, 1st Corporal Major Matteo Mureddu, 1st Corporal Major Giandomenico Pistonami, and 1st Corporal Major Davide Ricchiuto.

This is the current composition of the regiment:

• Command and logistics support company “SORCI VERDI”
• 5th Paratroopers Battalion “El Alamein” composed as follows:
  • 13th Paratroopers Company “CONDOR”
  • 14th Paratroopers Company “PANTERE INDOMITE”
  • 15th Paratroopers Company “DIAVOLI NERI”
  • Anti-tank Company “PESTE”
  • Heavy Mortar Company “VAMPIRI”

Within the battalion, there are also several reconnaissance teams and snipers. The regiment's motto is "IMPETO E ARDIRE".

History

On September 1, 1941, it was established in Tarquinia (VT) as the 2nd Paratroopers Regiment with Command, 47/32 Cannon Company, V, VI, and VII Paratroopers Battalion. It was framed in the newly formed Paratroopers Division, together with the 1st Paratroopers and Artillery Regiments. On March 10, 1942, the 3rd Paratroopers Regiment also joined these units. On July 27, 1942, for deployment in North Africa, the Large Unit was named 185th Paratroopers Division "Folgore", and the regiments were renumbered. The 2nd Paratroopers Regiment became the 186th Infantry Regiment "Folgore". Within the regiment, there were two battalions: the 5th (13th, 14th, and 15th Cp) and 6th (16th, 17th, and 18th Cp).

In the epic battle of El Alamein, under the command of Colonel Paratrooper Pietro Tantillo, the regiment is attacked on October 24 by violent assaults from the 1st and 2nd Battalion of the French Foreign Legion.

In particular, in the El Qattara depression, the 5th Battalion is attacked from behind and is forced to resist with men without being able to use mortars. The Paratroopers of the 5th organize into small teams of 4-5 men, assaulting the French with such tenacity that they force them to retreat.

Despite days and days of furious clashes, the 186th manages to firmly hold the front assigned to it, always repelling the enemy vastly superior in means and equipment: the line of resistance remained intact, but the price paid was very high. The 6th Battalion is almost completely sacrificed to maintain the positions, while the 5th will count only a few dozen survivors among Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, and Paratroopers.

On November 6, 1942, when the order to retreat arrives, it emerges undefeated but decimated, and the few survivors are incorporated into the 285th Training Battalion which, after fighting in Tunisia and in the last epic battle of Takrouna, ceases to exist with the X Army in May 1943. Thirteen Gold Medals to Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, and Paratroopers testify to the valor demonstrated by the "boys of the Folgore" in the regiment's short operational cycle.

Post-war

After the war, the paratrooper units are reconstituted and the glories of the 186th Regiment are inherited by the V Battalion of the 1st Paratrooper Regiment commanded by Major Galassi.

The years between 1973 and 1979 are those during which the dissolution of the 1st Paratrooper Regiment was experienced, and the consequent establishment of the 5th Paratrooper Battalion “EL ALAMEIN” as a Corps.

On September 30, 1975, the 1st Paratrooper Regiment, whose last Commander is the Sienese Col. Talluri, is dissolved, and the Flag is entrusted to the 3rd Battalion “Poggio Rusco”; the 2nd and 5th Battalions come under the command of the Brigade Command and receive on April 8, 1976 the War Flags decorated with the Gold Medal for Military Valor, awarded for the heroism demonstrated during operations in North Africa, from the dissolved Regiments, 186th and 187th of the glorious “Folgore” Division.

The transfer to the Siena headquarters

In April 1977 Lt. Col. Marinelli is transferred to the current headquarters in Siena and takes command of the Detachment with the Exploratory Company commanded by Capt. Celentano, joined in July by the 13th Rifle Company commanded by Capt. Cirneco.
The task is to carry out extraordinary maintenance and adaptation work on the barracks made available following the transfer of the 84th Infantry “VENEZIA” on July 4, 1977.

On May 24, 1978 the 5th Paratrooper Battalion “EL ALAMEIN” completes its transfer to the current Bandini barracks, Lt. Col. Marinelli assumes command, In 1979 a contingent of the 5th Paratrooper Battalion, framed in a training unit, goes to the United States, to Fort Bragg, where it participates in an intense cycle of exercises; in 1980 the 14th company goes to France for training with a transalpine paratrooper unit Hussars.

In 1982 it participates in the mission "Lebanon 2" in Beirut.

In 1986, due to the difficult situation in the Mediterranean theater, it is present in the operation “Girasole” with the 15th Company and an anti-tank team of the mortar company, namely the garrison of the island of Lampedusa, against which Libya carries out a deliberate act of war, launching two missiles, which fell into the sea but near the coast, against the US base LORAN.

The center of gravity of the crisis area thus shifts southward, and the Rapid Intervention Force, which includes the “Folgore”, conducts demanding exercises in Puglia. In 1987, Operation “Girasole” continues, during which the Paratrooper Brigade units rotate on the island of Lampedusa. In 1988, the first field exercise takes place in Calabria, between October and November, in the area of Scido (RC).
It is August 27, 1988, when Lt. Col. Pierluigi Torelli takes over command from Lt. Col. Paolo Menchi. The usual bilateral exchanges, the Rapid Intervention Force exercises, the Ex “Mangusta”, the “Istrice”, the “Condor rosso”, and Operation “Girasole” mark 1989 as a very intense year for the entire unit.

The year 1990 is the year of the Gulf War, and as a consequence of the conflict, the following year, to prevent possible terrorist acts, the entire unit is engaged, from January, in the protection of sensitive targets in the provinces of Arezzo, Grosseto, Siena, Bologna, Pisa, and Massa Carrara.

The 5th Paratrooper Battalion participates, in 1991, in the humanitarian and peace mission “Provide Comfort” in Iraqi Kurdistan, decided within the framework of UN Security Council Resolution No. 687 to assist the oppressed Kurdish refugees and from the regime of Saddam Hussein.

The 13th and 15th companies, reinforced by personnel from the Medium Mortar company, and the C.do and S. company, are employed in difficult environmental conditions, thousands of kilometers away from the Motherland, initially organizing reception camps and providing aid and security to populations fleeing the war, while later they are deployed in front of the Iraqi forces, pushed north by the pressure of the allies.

Reconstitution of the 186th Par. Folgore Regiment

On September 16, 1992, the 186th Paratrooper Regiment "Folgore" is reconstituted. Until December of the same year, it participates in the operation Vespri Siciliani in Palermo and from the 28th of the same month it is transferred to Somalia where it participates in the operation IBIS.

Subsequently, it takes part in numerous Public Order operations at home and Peace Keeping abroad. Between the late '90s and early 2000s, it will be present in Albania, Bosnia and Kosovo, Lebanon, and with some men in Iraq in the operation Ancient Babylon.

In 2001, it participates with great acclaim from the institutions in the security of part of the red zone at the G8 in Genoa.

During the days of the meeting, the Paratroopers of the 186th Regiment provided perimeter security for the Air Force One of US President George W. Bush.

In 2009 and 2011, it is in Afghanistan with the ISAF operation, where it commands the Italian contingent (named ITALFOR XX), receiving praise from all ISAF coalition forces.

During this mission, a detachment of Paratrooper riflemen from the Regiment was responsible for escorting the Brigade Commander, Paratrooper General Rosario Castellano. This task was previously exclusive to the special forces of Col Moschin.

In the following years, it is deployed again in Somalia (operation EUTM), Libya (operation Hippocrates and Hippocrates 2), Niger (operation MISIN), Iraq (operation First Parthica), and again in Afghanistan at Herat in 2021 (TACC-West).

The Commanders

186th Paratroopers Regiment "Folgore"

• Colonel Pietro Tantillo, 1941-1942
• Colonel Enrico Celentano, 1992-1994
• Colonel Augusto Staccioli, 1994-1997
• Colonel Emanuele Spagnolo, 1997-2000
• Colonel Maurizio Fioravanti, 2000-2001
• Colonel Francesco De Luca, 2001-2002
• Colonel Rosario Castellano, 2002-2004
• Colonel Sandro Camiciola, 2004-2006
• Colonel Manlio Scopigno, 2006-2008
• Colonel Aldo Zizzo, 2008-2010
• Colonel Lorenzo D'Addario, 2010-2011
• Colonel Roberto Angius, 2011-2013
• Colonel Roberto Trubiani, 2013-2015
• Colonel Beniamino Vergori, 2015-2017
• Colonel Michele Fraterrigo, 2017-2019
• Colonel Federico Bernacca, 2019-2021
• Colonel Massimo Veggetti, 2021-2023
• Colonel Giovanni Corrado, 2023-2025
• Colonel Salvatore Falcone, 2025 - present

5th Paratroopers Battalion "El-Alamein"

From 1941 to 1942

• Major (later Lt. Col.) Giuseppe Izzo

From 1963 to 1978 at the Livorno headquarters

• Lt. Col. Tito Salmi
• Lt. Col. Emilio Manfrone
• Lt. Col. Spiridione Lulli
• Lt. Col. Giorgio Galassi
• Lt. Col. Franco De Vita
• Lt. Col. Italo Papalia
• Lt. Col. Lucio Innecco
• Lt. Col. Paolo Cristofari
• Lt. Col. Carlo Lorenzetti
• Lt. Col. Mario Chiabrera
• Lt. Col. Giuseppe Erriquez

From 1978 to 1992 at the Siena headquarters

• Lt. Col. Augusto Marinelli
• Lt. Col. Francesco Merlino
• Lt. Col. Bruno Loi
• Lt. Col. Giocchino Grassi
• Lt. Col. Paolo Menchi
• Lt. Col. Pierluigi Torelli
• Lt. Col. Augusto Staccioli

From 1992 in the reconstituted 186th Paratroopers Regiment "Folgore"

• Lt. Col. Alessandro Puzzilli 16/09/1992-15/09/1993
• Lt. Col. Valentino Buttazzo 16/09/1993-15/09/1994
• Lt. Col. Antonio Satta 16/09/1994-17/09/1995
• Lt. Col. Maurizio Fioravanti 18/09/1995-31/08/1997
• Lt. Col. Marco Bedina 01/09/1997-06/09/1998
• Lt. Col. Rosario Castellano 07/09/1998-08/09/1999
• Lt. Col. Maurizio Morena 09/09/1999-10/09/2000
• Lt. Col. Massimo Mingiardi 11/09/2000-05/09/2001
• Maj. (then Lt. Col.) Aldo Zizzo 06/09/2001-26/09/2002
• Lt. Col. Gabriele Toscani De Col 27/09/2002-14/10/2003
• Lt. Col. Lorenzo D'Addario 14/10/2003-14/10/2004
• Lt. Col. Domenico Di Rosalia 15/10/2004-1/12/2005
• Lt. Col. Roberto Angius 02/12/2005-25/10/2007
• Lt. Col. Claudio Ladisi 26/10/2007-30/10/2008
• Lt. Col. Alessandro Albamonte 31/10/2008-05/11/2009
• Lt. Col. Angelo Sacco 06/11/2009-19/11/2010
• Lt. Col. Sergio Cardea 19/11/2010-24/11/2011
• Lt. Col. Francesco Matarrese 25/11/2011-06/09/2012
• Lt. Col. Giuseppe Scuderi 07/09/2012-08/09/2013
• Lt. Col. Stefano Fanì 09/09/2013-24/07/2014
• Lt. Col. Federico Bernacca 25/07/2014-27/07/2015
• Lt. Col. Vincenzo Zampella 28/07/2015-15/09/2016
• Lt. Col. Massimiliano Mongillo 16/09/2016-10/08/2017
• Lt. Col. Francesco Errico 11/08/2017-06/09/2018
• Lt. Col. Enrico Iazzetta 07/09/2018-03/09/2020
• Lt. Col. Amos Virgona 04/09/2020-09/09/2021
• Lt. Col. Ivan Crescini 10/09/2021-15/09/2022
• Lt. Col. Giuseppe Petrella 16/09/2022-15/09/2023
• Lt. Col. Dimitri Sasso 16/09/2023-11/10/2024
• Lt. Col. Daniele Demaestri 12/10/2024-ongoing

Missions in the Post-War Period

• January 1983 - February 1984 - Lebanon, Operation Lebanon 2
• March - September 1986 - Italy, Lampedusa, Operation Girasole
• October - December 1990 - Italy, Calabria, Operation Aspromonte
• January - April 1991 - Iraq Kurdistan, Operation Provide Comfort
• April - July 1992 - Sicily, Operation Vespri Siciliani
• March - July 1993 - Somalia, Operations Restore Hope - IBIS
• May - October 1999 - Bosnia, NATO SFOR Operation Constant Forge
• May - October 2000 - Albania, NATO KFOR Operation Joint Guardian
• July 2001 - Genoa, Operation G8
• October 2001 - February 2002 - Kosovo, NATO KFOR Operation Consistent Effort
• March - May 2002 - Tuscany, Operation Domino
• August - September 2003 - Bosnia, NATO SFOR OTHF
• January - July 2004 - Kosovo, NATO KFOR Operation Decisive Endeavour
• October - November 2005 - Kosovo, NATO KFOR Operation Determined Effort
• January-March 2006 Italy, Turin Operation Domino "Winter Olympics"
• April - August 2007 - Lebanon, UNIFIL Operation Leonte
• November 2008 - January 2009 - Italy, Caserta, Operation Safe Streets
• April - October 2009 - Kabul, Afghanistan, NATO ISAF
• February - September 2011 - Bakwa and Gulistan, Afghanistan, NATO ISAF
• August - September 2012 - Emilia-Romagna, Operation Una Acies
• May 2013 - March 2015 - Somalia, EUTM Somalia
• May - July 2015 - Milan, Operation "EXPO 2015"
• September 2016 - February 2017 - Libya, Operations Ippocrate and Ippocrate 2
• December 2017 - July 2018 - Tuscany, Operation Safe Streets
• December 2018 - January 2020 - Niger, Operation MISIN
• July - December 2019 - Tuscany, Operation Safe Streets
• August 2019 - March 2020 - Iraq, Operation Prima Parthica
• January 2021 - Afghanistan - Operation "TACC- West" (Herat)
• December - June 2022 - Tuscany, Operation "Safe Streets"

Honors to the War Flag

Gold Medal for Military Valor

Paratrooper regiment of the glorious “Folgore” Division, together with the divisional quotas assigned to it, valiantly exerted itself in numerous offensive and defensive actions for three months, without rest, always thwarting the impetuous advance of the enemy vastly superior in numbers and means. In the epic battle of El Alamein, exhausted by the losses suffered, with all water, food, and ammunition supplies cut off, with the faith that only the most sublime love of Country can generate, it disdainfully rejected repeated invitations to surrender, shouting "Folgore", thus demonstrating that the superiority of means could overwhelm the paratroopers of Italy, but never bend them. Through countless episodes of collective and individual heroism, it prolonged resistance until the total exhaustion of all means of combat, earning the respect and admiration of the enemy itself, thus writing one of the most brilliant pages of valor for the Italian Army.

Northern Africa, October 23 - November 6, 1942

Silver Medal of Military Valor

The 186th Paratroopers Regiment "Folgore", part of the Italian forces in Somalia, participated in relief operations for the Somali population, dedicating themselves with total commitment and high professionalism in the dangerous mission and confirming, in numerous search operations for weapons and in operations against guerrillas and anti-banditry, the highest level of efficiency, great courage, and generosity of its members. Involved in numerous firefights, they always reacted effectively and decisively, highlighting the military valor, operational capability, and strong motivation of their men. Despite the heavy losses suffered in combat, they continued to fulfill the assigned tasks without faltering, with the pride and determination to restore security and humanitarian aid to the tormented Somali people and in the determination to honor the distant homeland.

Somalia, December 27, 1992 - June 8, 1993

Silver Medal of Military Valor

A paratroopers regiment with glorious traditions of military virtues, during the operation “Decisive Endeavour” in Kosovo, faced with extraordinary courage the unrest that affected the entire Kosovo territory on March 17 and 18, 2004. The unit intervened to defend the monasteries of Dakovica and Decane and to protect the Serbian ethnic villages of Belo Polje, Bica, and Grabac. The regiment's paratroopers, undeterred by the aggressive and violent attitude of the rioters, repelled their repeated assaults with armed response, saving the threatened communities from the fury of the demonstrators and safeguarding the safety of the clergy and the integrity of numerous places of worship of the Serbian Orthodox religion. An admirable example of a unit that, for its courage, high sense of duty, generous disregard for danger, and spirit of solidarity, has concretely contributed to giving luster and prestige to the Armed Forces and the nation in a multinational context.

Dakovica, Belo Polje, Decane, Bica, Grabac (Kosovo) March 17-18, 2004

Knight of the Military Order of Italy

A paratroopers regiment constantly driven by exceptional dedication and moral steadfastness conducted, with courage and skill, kinetic operations in contexts characterized by significant terrorist threats and violent interethnic clashes. With valiant professionalism and conscious disregard for danger, the men and women of the regiment have demonstrated admirable efficiency, achieving significant results in the numerous and risky missions assigned. A shining example of a highly motivated unit, which through its actions, has contributed to enhancing the luster and prestige of Italy and its Armed Forces on the international stage.

Afghanistan, Somalia, Libya, 2009 - 2021

Individual Honors

Gold Medal of Military Valor

• Sergeant Major Mario Giaretto – Hill 99 of Deir Alinda (Northern Africa), night of August 8, 1942.
• Second Lieutenant Giovanni Stassi – Northern Africa, August 25 - September 2, 1942.
• Second Lieutenant Omero Lucchi – Northern Africa, August 31 - September 4, 1942.
• Lieutenant Roberto Bandini – Hill 125 of Qaret El Himeimat (Egypt), October 23-25, 1942.
• Second Lieutenant Giovanni Gambaudo – Qaret El Himeimat (Northern Africa), October 23-24, 1942.
• Paratrooper Giuseppe Cappelletto – Hill 125 of Qaret El Himeimat (Northern Africa), October 23-25, 1942.
• Sergeant Major Nicola Pistillo – Northern Africa, October 23-25, 1942.
• Paratrooper Leandro Franchi – Northern Africa, November 1942.
• Lieutenant Marco Gola – Egypt, Naqb Rala (El Alamein), October 23-25, 1942.
• Lieutenant Colonel Carlo Marescotti Ruspoli Prince of Poggio Suasa – Deir el Munassib, November 4, 1942.
• Paratrooper Antonio Andriolo – Hill 125 of Qaret El Himeimat, Hill 146 of Rain Pool, October 23 - November 4, 1942.
• Paratrooper Gerardo Lustrissimi – Northern Africa, October 23-25, 1942.
• Paratrooper Pasquale Baccaro – Mogadishu, July 2, 1993.
• Second Lieutenant Gianfranco Paglia – Mogadishu, July 2, 1993.

Gold Medal of Army Valor

• Corporal Major Stefano La Mattina - Parmakan (Afghanistan), September 23, 2009.