4th Alpini Paratroopers Regiment

The 4th Alpini Paratroopers Regiment is a special forces unit of the Italian Army based in Montorio near Verona.

The 4th Alpini Paratroopers Regiment, although an alpine unit, has not been under the Alpine Troops Command since July 1, 2014, but under the Army Special Forces Command (COMFOSe), along with the 185th Reconnaissance Target Acquisition Regiment Folgore, and the 9th Paratroopers Assault Regiment "Col Moschin". The Regiment, composed exclusively of highly trained and equipped volunteer personnel, is tasked with military duties of significant strategic/tactical value, special operations, high-risk light infantry tasks, and direct actions.

In 2018, it was elevated to the rank of first-level special force (tier 1).

All its members are qualified as Rangers, after a long and intense training course, their prerogative is mainly to be mountain paratroopers, combining the best operational skills of the two specialties, alpine and paratroopers.

This results in pronounced long-range reconnaissance capabilities, high mobility in arctic/mountain contexts, excellent stealth exploration capabilities, as well as for direct actions in depth (the unit's primary task, along with the general light infantry role and use for sudden tasks): they are therefore frequently employed in crisis areas (especially - but not only - in mountainous territories).

Located in Bolzano until December 2010, the transfer to the current headquarters in Montorio, near Verona, was decided in January 2011.

History

The current 4th Alpini Paratroopers Regiment has a relatively recent history that mainly refers to that infantry specialty, the alpine paratroopers, of which it is the only representative in the Italian Army. The unit has also inherited the traditions of units that, despite having a glorious past, were disbanded during or at the end of World War II: the Skiers Alpini Battalion "Monte Cervino" and the 4th Alpini Regiment.

Already at the dawn of Italian military parachuting, we find the Alpini: during World War I, the "I" Service (information) used to launch informants behind enemy lines; among these, those who stood out the most were Lieutenants Alessandro Tandura of the Arditi Corps and Pier Arrigo Barnaba of the 8th Alpini Regiment.

During the autumn of 1917, in different places and times, the two officers parachuted into mountain areas behind enemy lines, tasked with gathering information on Austrian troops: both were awarded the gold medal for military valor.

The concept of "Mountain Paratroopers" was forgotten until the end of World War II. The Royal Army fighting with the Allies, already in late 1943, had hypothesized the formation of a "Mountain Group", with within it an "Alpini Paratroopers Complement Company": however, it never went beyond the project stage.

Other Italian paratroopers (albeit under a different flag) were trained and equipped for mountain warfare: in January 1945, units of the "Folgore" Regiment of the RSI were assigned to the Western Alpine front, in the Piedmont valleys of Susa, Lanzo, and Orco. Enormous difficulties arose, given the lack of preparation to operate in the particular terrain. From the 1st Battalion, alpine and mountain men, mostly from Veneto and Lombardy, were drawn, and with them, the "1st Alpine Paratroopers Company" was formed: high-altitude acclimatization training was conducted, mountain material was ordered from private industry, and the unit was equipped with mules to allow the transport of supplies. Over time, the other units assigned to the sector were also "alpinized".

4th Alpini Regiment

It was established on November 1, 1882 under the command of Colonel Giuseppe Ottolenghi: initially composed of the "Val Pellice", "Val Chisone", and "Val Brenta" battalions, like the other alpini regiments, the 4th also saw continuous reorganization based on "exchanges" of battalions with other regiments, especially the 3rd and 6th Alpini. 526 alpini of the 4th regiment participated in the Eritrean Campaign, which took place between 1885 and 1896 during the Crispi Government, and were framed in an alpini regiment created ad hoc for the colonial enterprise, which also fought in the Battle of Adwa on April 1, 1896.

In 1899 the units of the "Susa" Battalion (at that time part of the 4th Alpini) carried the statue of the Madonna to the summit of Rocciamelone (3535 m a.s.l.), which still dominates the Val di Susa today.

The 4th Alpini Regiment faced World War I, at least initially, with its battalions "Aosta", "Ivrea", and "Intra", but soon it was forced to create as many as seven new battalions ("Monte Cervino", "Monte Rosa", "Monte Levanna", "Val d'Orco", "Val Toce", "Val Baltea", and "Pallanza"), both to increase its strength and to replace the battalions annihilated during the battles fought and worn out by trench warfare. It was deployed on the Croda Rossa, on the Isonzo, and on Monte Mrzli. In 1916 on the Adamello, at Monte Cima, Monte Zugna, Monte Cauriol, Monte Cardianal, Alpe di Cosmagnon, Dente del Pasubio; in 1917 on Monte Vodice, Vette di Gallio, Monte Fior, Massiccio del Grappa. In 1918 on Monte Solarolo.

Out of a total of 31,000 men mobilized, by the end of the conflict there were 240 fallen among the officers and 4500 Alpini, in addition to 20,000 wounded and 1492 decorated for military valor (silver and bronze). With the end of World War I, the various supplementary battalions created during its course were dissolved, and the three original battalions (Aosta, Ivrea, and Intra) remained in force. The regiment followed the vicissitudes of the various reorganizations that took place in the Royal Army between the 1920s and 1930s.

World War II saw it framed in the "Taurinense" Alpine Division and, as such, it was employed first on the western front against France at the beginning of Italy's entry into the war, then in Albania, Greece, and Yugoslavia.

It was definitively dissolved in October 1943 in Montenegro after the Armistice of Cassibile (in September): the "Intra" Battalion under the command of Captain Piero Zavattaro Ardizzi participated in the resistance in Serbia-Montenegro, and the survivors became part of the Italian partisan Division Garibaldi (Montenegro).

The 4th Alpini Regiment was reconstituted by the Italian Army on April 15, 1946 with the battalions "Aosta", "Susa", and "Saluzzo" under its command: several restructurings followed until 1975, the year in which the regimental level was abolished, and with it also the 4th Alpini Regiment.

The Alpini Paratroopers Company

The Alpini paratroopers were born from a study conducted in 1951 by the then head of the Alpine troops office: the study recommended the formation of a small unit (preferably with personnel qualified in military parachuting) suitable for deep reconnaissance and the execution of direct actions. This unit would be under the direct command of the Alpine brigade to meet its needs, with aspects and purposes similar to those that the Alpieri platoons had in relation to the Alpine battalions in which they were inserted.

For the functions of exploration and targeted combat intended to meet the needs of higher Alpine commands, a small ad hoc unit was needed, composed of personnel with the same qualifications as the Alpieri, with the ability to also perform parachute jumps to infiltrate or operate beyond enemy lines: hence the request that the unit be "also" a paratrooper.

The idea was approved in 1952 and by the end of that same year, the first Alpini paratrooper platoon was born within the "Tridentina" Brigade. The following year, the first jump was made on the slopes of Monte Grand Assaly just above La Thuile (on the Ruitor glacier) and platoons were established under the command of the "Julia" and "Taurinense" brigades, while in 1956 the "Orobica" and "Cadore" platoons were also formed. The personnel consisted of Alpini who were additionally required to pass the parachuting course (static line jumps) in Viterbo (in Pisa starting from 1957).

In 1964, all five autonomous platoons, under the command of the individual Alpine brigades, were united to form the "Alpini Paratroopers Company" (composed of a command platoon, three rifle platoons, a medium mortar platoon, and an anti-tank platoon) which was stationed in Bolzano and placed under the direct command of the IV Alpine Army Corps.

The union of the five platoons into a single unit allowed for more homogeneous training, a rationalization of parachute drop activities, and availability for more significant, albeit "targeted," "direct actions," as well as enabling the corps command to have a unit to use as a sort of "ready reserve," equipped with high reactivity and capable of intervening across the entire Alpine arc in a short time. Furthermore, the need to also have the specialization of "paratrooper" was more justified, acting on behalf of an even higher-level command. From that moment, training jumps would be carried out mainly in the Alpe di Siusi area.

As in all units of the Italian Army of the time, the Compagnia alpini paracadutisti also had conscript personnel: despite this, the unit soon built a solid reputation and was therefore attached to the Italian contingent participating in the AMF(L) during its two annual foreign deployments. AMF(L), or ACE Mobile Force - Land (where ACE stood for Allied Command of Europe), but colloquially known simply as Allied Mobile Force, was a NATO brigade-level command existing from 1960 to 2002, leading a force constituted (for mobilization "on call") by light infantry battalion-level units, provided and designated by various member countries.

Italy had assigned to the AMF a tactical group (which from 1986 would be named "Cuneense") initially consisting of the Battaglione Alpini "Susa" from Pinerolo, the 40th Battery of the Mountain Artillery Group "Pinerolo" from Susa, and the 101st field hospital (air-transportable) from Turin, all units of the Alpine Brigade "Taurinense," to which was first added the Compagnia alpini paracadutisti and finally, in 1986 with the formation of the "Cuneense" contingent, also the Compagnia Genio Guastatori from Abbadia Alpina and the Compagnia Controcarri from Turin, also from the same brigade although only until 1992, the year in which the anti-tank company of the brigade was disbanded following the reform that provided for the transformation of the alpine battalions into regiments.

In the mid-eighties, training activities for the cadres (officers and non-commissioned officers) began in the field of free-fall jumps, both at low altitude and HALO (High Altitude Low Opening) and HAHO (High Altitude High Opening).

In 1990, the company received the name Compagnia alpini paracadutisti "Monte Cervino": the addition of "Monte Cervino" earned the unit the traditions inherited from the battalion of the same name, which fought during World War II as a special unit (at that time it was made up of "alpine skiers"). In 1993, the company was deployed in Mozambique along with units provided by the Brigade "Taurinense" (later replaced by those of the "Julia" which completed the mission in 1994).

The A.P. Monte Cervino Battalion

In 1996 the company transformed: after restructuring and an increase in personnel, it became the Battaglione alpini paracadutisti "Monte Cervino," initially with only two companies then increased to three. At the end of the same year, the war flag was also granted (materially delivered during a ceremony that took place only the following year, on April 10) which definitively sanctioned the "descent" from the aforementioned alpine skiers battalion.

In those years, the introduction of volunteer personnel began in anticipation of the professionalization of the entire Italian Army and the approaching abandonment of the compulsory conscription system. Initially, the personnel consisted of VFA (volunteers with a short-term commitment of one year) and VFB (volunteers with a short-term fixed commitment of 3 years) who, with professionalization in full swing, would be replaced by VFP1 (fixed-term commitment of one year) and VFP4 (fixed-term commitment of four years).

With the inclusion of this personnel, the SME (Army General Staff) considered the possibility of further raising the qualitative level of the unit to further improve its direct action capabilities, long-range reconnaissance, and to make it capable of supporting special forces actions or carrying out certain types.

Taking advantage of the longer service duration even for troop personnel, it became possible to increase the already substantial training background of the members by having them undergo a path that also included additional courses, normally followed only by members of the Special Forces: thus began the transformation of the unit, with the acquisition of new capabilities and therefore the qualification "Ranger."

In 1999, in fact, the acquisition of the additional qualification by the unit was officially announced, which from that moment would be called Battaglione alpini paracadutisti "Monte Cervino" (Ranger): an important and challenging result, as it was achieved despite the deployment in Bosnia in 1997 and in the "Forza Paris" operation in Sardinia in 1997 and 1998.

Further commitments are undertaken by the unit: in 2002 it is among the first Italian units to be deployed in Afghanistan in the operations initiated by the USA in that country, aimed at the search for Osama bin Laden and the suppression of the Taliban following the attacks of September 11, 2001. Additionally, part of the personnel is also deployed in Iraq in 2004.

The Paratrooper Alpini Regiment

The 4th Paratrooper Alpini Regiment was established on September 25, 2004, transforming the Paratrooper Alpini Battalion into a regiment, as part of the restructuring of the combat units of the Italian Army.

This process, which took place in those years, involved the creation of single-battalion regiments from the existing battalions or groups.

Therefore, based on its single battalion, the 4th Paratrooper Alpini Regiment was born, maintaining the Paratrooper Alpini Battalion "Monte Cervino" as its only operational entity, including its rangers.

The delivery of the war flag of the 4th Alpini Regiment makes it inherit the traditions. The regiment was initially included in the special operations forces (FOS).

The current structure sees it composed of Command, Command and Support Company, Paratrooper Alpini Battalion "Monte Cervino" (with three companies, two of which are operational and one school) and a reconnaissance platoon. Since January 2011 the regiment has been relocated to the "Duca" barracks in Montorio. From July 1, 2014 the regiment left the dependency from the Alpine Troops Command for the Army Special Forces Command.

In January 2018 it was decided to transition the 4th Paratrooper Alpini Regiment "Monte Cervino" from "Special Operations Force" to "Special Force" (FS).

The inclusion in the Italian special forces was validated in October 2018 with the exercise "Notte scura 2018". In 2021 the Operational Support Paratrooper Alpini Battalion “Intra” was reconstituted.

Organization

Since January 2021 the regiment commander is Colonel Fulvio Menegazzo (2021-2023).

• Regiment Command
• Command and Logistic Support Company
• Paratrooper Alpini Battalion "Monte Cervino"
  • Three companies
• Training and Operational Support Battalion "Intra"

Training

Candidates for the unit are selected through a two-week selection process and trained through a long training cycle lasting about two years. The selection and initial internship are carried out together with the candidates of the Italian Army for the 9th Paratrooper Assault Regiment "Col Moschin" and for the 185th Paratrooper Reconnaissance Target Acquisition Regiment "Folgore". If deemed suitable, all these candidates undergo the basic OBOS (Basic Operator for Special Operations) course at the RAFOS (Special Forces Training Unit) of "Col Moschin", and then continue specific training at their destination units and/or at specialized national and international training entities.

This new training path, formalized in 2008 (but gradually introduced experimentally since 2006 for permanent and non-permanent personnel), replaces the previous one which included the following modules:

• the four-week course for obtaining the military parachutist license (static line jumps) at CAPAR in Pisa,
• the first period training of 17 weeks at the third company of the 4th Alpini Par.
• the "Ranger" course (initially 6 weeks, then extended to 9 and finally to 12) conducted at RAFOS (developed specifically in a collaborative way by the 9th "Col Moschin" for the 4th Alpipar)
• the 16-week skiing and mountaineering course, initially at CEALP in Aosta and then directly at the 4th Alpipar
• a basic amphibious course of two weeks also at RAFOS in Livorno (from 2003/2004).

Basic Operator for Special Operations Course

Those who pass both phases of selection (physical pre-selection and internship) are admitted to attend one of the four or five (also in this case, depending on the availability of personnel and funding) OBOS (Basic Operator for Special Operations) courses organized annually by the RAFOS (Special Operations Forces Training Unit) of the 9th Regiment Col Moschin of the E.I., completing the block of about 25 trainees, including aspiring E.I. raiders, rangers, target acquisition specialists, and flight units of the 26th REOS. The course has been recently restructured, now lasting 24 weeks compared to the previous 31, but the contents, rationalized based on the experiences gained over time and the lessons learned in operational theaters, have remained substantially unchanged and include:

• 4 weeks dedicated to obtaining the parachuting license with static line, for those who do not already have it, at the CAPAR in Pisa.
• 5 weeks dedicated to theoretical and practical training on topography, topographic marches, learning orientation and land navigation techniques.
• 12 weeks on the Technical Tactical Procedures (PTT) of the FOS. The PTT phase for FOS is the core of the OBOS training and is aimed at individual and team combat training and learning the standard operational tactics and procedures of the smaller FOS units.
• 3 weeks of specific technical training: on transmissions, first aid procedures and tactical medicine with a course similar to BLS (Basic Life Support), on how to promptly intervene in case of gunshot wounds, life-saving maneuvers and cardiopulmonary resuscitation procedures, in-depth study of weapons and shooting (day and night) and military operations planning.

The course concludes with a continuous two-week exercise and final exams. The students deemed suitable (less than 50% of the initial candidates) begin the specialization phase, different for each final destination unit.

Ranger Specialization Phase (41 weeks since 2011)

Unlike the OBOS course conducted at the RAFOS, aimed at providing common individual and small team bases to all aspiring operators of the army and air force FS/FOS, regardless of the units they will be assigned to, the Ranger specialization phase is specific to the operators of the 4º Alpipar, is largely conducted at the 3rd company of the regiment (which essentially functions as a school) and is oriented towards preparation related to the specific employments of the "rangers" at the team and platoon level, as well as representing a phase of initial integration of the operators inserted in this unit.

The achievement of the specialization has provided since 2011 the following preparation path:

• 15 weeks: Ranger course, conducted twice a year in correspondence with the end of the OBOS courses.
• 20 weeks: Ski and mountaineering course to obtain the necessary mobility and combat capabilities in the mountains, both in summer and winter environments.
• 2 weeks: Amphibious course on techniques for overcoming water obstacles, use of boats with outboard motors, elements of operational surface swimming and practice of amphibious operations. When possible, the module is followed by an additional 2-week 6C license course, which qualifies for the conduct and use of boats with outboard motors in inland or coastal waters.
• 2 weeks: NBC course on operations in contaminated environments.

Operation Unified Venture and return

The regiment participated in a particularly important operation on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. The Task Force Nibbio participated in an operation alongside US troops with the aim of surrounding the operation area of the assault troops to prevent "enemy elements from escaping", assisting the villages in the moments following the central operation and promoting a positive and trustworthy image of the Afghan army among the population.

The attack conducted at the time was successful and aimed to hit the logistical and recruitment bases of terrorist centers on the border with Pakistan. The planning phase of this mission was long and delicate to carefully choose the elements that would take part in it. Among others, the rangers of the 4º rgt Alpini paracadutisti stand out in the mission. The heli-assault was carried out with 2 AH 64 Apache helicopters and 8 transport helicopters (4 UH 60 Black Hawk and 4 CH 47 Chinook).

Since then, the rangers of the aforementioned regiment have carried out patrol and checkpoint activities; all objectives were achieved and the Italian Task Force managed to integrate perfectly with the American troops. The last return of the regiment's teams from the operation areas occurred in April 2008.

Dual Use

Following the natural disasters and bad weather that hit central Italy in January 2017, the 4º Regiment redeployed a rapid reaction component to support the population in coordination with civil protection, within the TF Sisma. Taking advantage of the high training in special operations in mountain environments, the units infiltrated the areas of Valle Castellana (TE) to rescue the population blocked by heavy snowfalls and the seismic swarm. Within the dual-use employment, their training in special operations allowed them to reach inaccessible or difficult-to-access areas by land, adopting particular techniques.

Honors to the Flag

• 2 Knight's Crosses of the Military Order of Italy
• 2 Gold Medals for Military Valor
• 9 Silver Medals for Military Valor
• 1 Bronze Medal
• 1 Silver Medal for Civil Valor
• 1 Silver Medal of Merit

Gold Medal for Military Valor

• Aldo Beltricco, captain.
• Giuseppe Failla, second lieutenant.
• Angelo Gabrieli, corporal.
• Carlo Giordana, colonel.
• Ferdinando Urli, lieutenant.
• Vincenzo Zerboglio, second lieutenant.
• Andrea Adorno, sergeant major.
• Mario Bonini, alpino.