187th Parachute Regiment Folgore

The 187th Parachute Regiment “Folgore” is one of the historic parachute regiments of the Italian Army, which has always been part of the Folgore Parachute Brigade.

Origins

The 1st Parachute Battalion came into being on 1 July 1940 by a group entirely formed by Italian military volunteers from various specialties. Fifteen days later, following the constitution of the I Battalion of the Carabinieri Paratroopers, it was renamed “II Battalion”, due to its seniority in the force.

The 30 April 1941 carries out the first wartime airdrop of Italian paratroopers on the island of Cephalonia.

Upon returning from the Ionian Islands, the Battalion, part of the “1st Parachute Regiment”, began training for the invasion of the island of Malta with the paratroopers of the Fallschirmjäger-Brigade Ramcke, veterans of the air assault on Crete.

The German paratroopers transmitted to their Italian comrades-in-arms not only the highly effective tactical procedures of the German airborne infantry, defence in depth and counter-assault first and foremost, but also and above all that spirit of community, sharing and brotherhood between officers, non-commissioned officers and troops that made their units extraordinarily cohesive.

Regiment

In the summer of 1942, having abandoned any attempt to attack the British stronghold, the 1st Regiment was renamed the 187th (II, IV and IX Battalions), placed in the 185th Parachute Division Folgore and sent to North Africa. In the sands of the Egyptian Sahara, the 187th took part in the battles that led to the consolidation of the front on the El Alamein line. Finally, it occupied the northern portion of the sector assigned to the Folgore Division, which was entrusted with the task of defending the southernmost part of the Italian-German Army deployment, in the middle of the desert, in contact with the lunar landscape of the El Qattara depression.

The 23 October The second battle of El Alamein begins. The Regiment, deployed in the first step to the left of the device of the Folgore Division, resisted with indomitable tenacity and success to the repeated attempts of penetration of the XIII British Corps, and began to fall back, undaunted, only the 4 November, following the order given by Rommel to the entire Army, due to the collapse of the northern sector of the front. Without water, ammunition or vehicles, the Regiment begins with the remains of the Division, a heroic, last resistance in the desert, which ended in a dramatic defeat. With a tribute to the adversary's valor, the English granted the honors of war. Colonel Camosso then reviews the survivors of the 187th for the last time.

For the feats of arms at El Alamein, the Flag of the 187th Para. Folgore was awarded the Gold Medal for Military Valor.

In the post-war period

The 2nd Battalion was reconstituted in 1963 acquiring the name Tarquinia, in honour of the city where it was established in the 1940 the first parachuting school on Italian soil, and is part of the 1st Parachute Regiment. The 2nd Tarquinia Battalion became autonomous in 1976, holding the flag of the 187th Rgt.

In the 80s he took part in the mission in Lebanon with Italfor.

Reconstitution

In 1992 the 187th Parachute Regiment Folgore is reconstituted. The Regiment, which included the “Aquile” Command Company and the II “Tarquinia” Battalion, participated in all out-of-area operations in which the Italian Army was involved from that date.

Since the 2000s it has been composed of a regimental command, a logistics support company and a paratrooper battalion, the operational arm of the unit.

Operations

In theatre

• Lebanon 1982
• Iraq 1991 (Operation Heron)
• Somalia (Operation Ibis 1)
• Somalia (Operation Ibis 2)
• Bosnia 1996
• Albania 1997 (Operation Alba)
• East Timor 1999 – 2000
• Bosnia 1999 – 2000
• Afghanistan 2003 (Operation Nibbo 2-Enduring Freedom)
• Kosovo 2004
• Iraq 2005 (Operation Ancient Babylon)
• Afghanistan 2009 (ISAF XII)
• Afghanistan 2011 (ISAF XVI)
• Iraqi Kurdistan 2015 – 2019 (first parthica)
• Mali 2020
• Afghanistan 2021 (Resolute Support)
• Niger 2021 (MISIN)
• LIban 2023 (LEONTE XXXIII)

On a national level

• Presidium of the islands of Lampedusa and Pantelleria (1986-1988)
• Operation Sicilian Vespers (1992)
• Operation Safe Streets 2008 to date
• Expo 2015 (Milan)

Organisation

• Regimental Command
• 2nd Parachute Infantry Battalion “Tarquinia”
  • 4th Parachute Rifle Company Falcons
  • 5th Parachute Rifle Company Bats
  • 6th Parachute Rifle Company Grifi
  • 10th Parachute Manoeuvre Support Company Dragons
• Eagle Logistic Support Company
• Sports section (combat and martial arts)

Coat of arms

The 187th's emblem was designed in 1942 by Lt. Col. Alberto Bechi Luserna, second Regiment Commander, MOVM in memory, for the IV Battalion. It reproduces the gladius and the stylised wing, emblem of the Italian Paratroopers.

The motto on the band is Ex Alto Fulgur, Folgore from above.

Flag Honours

Gold Medal for Military Valour

Parachute Regiment of the glorious Division "Folgore", together with the divisional quotas assigned to it, for three months, without rest, valiantly devoted itself in numerous offensive and defensive actions, always crushing the impetuous advance of the enemy, enormously superior in number and means. In the epic battle of El Alamein, exhausted by the losses suffered, with all supplies of water, food and ammunition ceased, with the faith that only the most sublime love of country can generate, he scornfully rejected, shouting "Folgore", repeated invitations to surrender, thus demonstrating that the superiority of means could overwhelm the Italian paratroopers, never bend them. Through countless episodes of collective and individual heroism, he continued the resistance until the total exhaustion of every means of fighting, commanding the respect and admiration of the enemy himself, thus writing one of the most shining pages of valor for the Italian Army.

North Africa, 22 July - 12 October 1942; Battle of El Alamein, 23 October - 6 November 1942.

Silver Medal of Army Valor

The 187th Parachute Regiment “Folgore”, part of the Italian forces in Somalia, participated in the rescue operations for the Somali population, devoting itself with total dedication and high professionalism in the dangerous mission and confirming, in numerous combing actions for the search for weapons and in operations against guerrillas and anti-banditry, the very high level of efficiency, the great courage and the generosity of its members. Involved in numerous firefights, it always reacted with effectiveness and determination, highlighting the military value, the operational capacity and the very strong motivation of its men. Despite the heavy losses suffered in combat, it continued to carry out the tasks entrusted to it without slackening with the pride and the pride of persevering in the attempt to restore security and humanitarian aid to the tormented Somali people and in the determination to honor the distant Homeland.

Somalia, 27 December 1992 – 3 July 1993.

Silver Medal of Army Valor

Parachute Regiment included in the multinational brigade north engaged in Bosnia-Herzegovina, carried out the tasks assigned with extraordinary enthusiasm, total dedication and an uncommon spirit of sacrifice. During the many activities of territorial control, monitoring, patrolling of routes, escorting humanitarian convoys and control and inspection of sites, in a particularly delicate and complex operational and environmental situation, it operated with constant balance, a deep sense of duty and extremely high professionalism. The incessant commitment to humanitarian support for the populations, in the prevention of criminal activities of the underworld often resorting to widespread and risky round-up actions and in the saving of numerous human lives, highlighted the extraordinary capabilities and exceptional qualities of courage, determination and solidarity of the men of the 187th regiment who performed, sometimes at risk of personal safety, a crucial function for the restoration of peaceful coexistence in the area. A clear example of a cohesive and highly motivated unity that has highlighted in its men the highest professionalism, concrete moral strength and high military virtues, contributing to significantly increasing the prestige of Italy and the Armed Forces in the international context.

Sarajevo, 3 July 1996-24 March 1997.

Knight Military Order of Italy

Engaged in a mountainous operational zone in Afghanistan, he faced multiple difficulties and dangers caused by environmental degradation, strong social and political tensions and a difficult and highly risky operational situation. He fulfilled the mission entrusted to him with valiant professionalism and a very high sense of responsibility, providing a constant example of value, enthusiasm and spirit of self-denial. The full success achieved testifies to the courage and high efficiency and effectiveness of all the men and women of the Regiment, who have thus contributed to increasing the prestige of the Army and the Nation in the international context.

Khost (Afghanistan), 15 June -15 September 2003

Bronze Medal of Army Valor

Parachute Regiment employed in the Afghan theater, brilliantly fulfilled its tasks with conscious contempt for danger, undisputed value and constant spirit of sacrifice. In particular, during violent and repeated attacks on a convoy, it sustained heated fighting, repelling hostile forces through numerous episodes of courage and thus managing to avoid involving the civilian population in the clashes. Extraordinary expression of noble ideals, absolute dedication to service and chosen military virtues, with its actions it renewed the tradition and value of the paratroopers, contributing to exalting the prestige of the Army.

Afghanistan, April 3 – October 20, 2009.