9th Col Moschin Regiment: the spearhead

The 9th Parachute Assault Regiment 'Col Moschin' is the department of raiders of the Italian Army, from 20 September 1954 forerunner of the Italian special forces. Renowned for its ability to intervene in complex operational contexts, the 24 June 1995, within the framework of the restructuring of the Italian Army, went from battalion to regiment.

Framed in the Army Special Forces Command (COMFOSE), holds the flag of the IX Assault Department, from which it inherited the year of its constitution (1918), the name of the place of an epic action (Col Moschin) and insignia (black flames of the Arditi), re-adopted in the 2006.

Heir of the Arditi, assault troops of the Royal Army formed during the First World War and considered by many historians as the first to truly embody the modern concept of special forces, the 9th “Col Moschin” has unique features, even within COMFOSE itself, compared to the 4th Rgt Alpini Parachutists and the 185th RAO Regimentamong the many tasks it performs, typical of special forces, It is the only unit within the Armed Forces capable of officially carrying out hostage-freeing activities on behalf of the Italian Stateas well as being the only Italian department, military or otherwise, to perform launches at very high altitude with an oxygen cylinder (up to an altitude of 11,000 metres). In addition, he is qualified and counter-terrorism operations.

Since 2016, it has also operated at the request of the AISE intelligence services for individual confidential missions abroad, carrying out special operations in extremely delicate contexts, always maintaining the highest degree of confidentiality and professionalism that has always characterized the department.

The Regiment's base is in Livorno at the "Vannucci" barracks. There is also the Base Addestramento Incursori (BAI), also known as the “sea base”, located in the San Rossore regional park, near the mouth of the Arno River. Once part of the former presidential estate, this structure is used both for training and for planning the department's operations.

It performs highly strategic tasks of politico-military significance for the security and defence of the nation and high-risk operations for the protection of national interests  in each operational context, specially designated, planned and organised using techniques and methods unconventional. The raiders members are trained to perform combat missions with action live e indirect, even in particularly hostile environments and contexts and at great distance from friendly unitsusually in scenarios asymmetricaloperating on the basis of small groups o "detachments".

For more than 20 years, it has been continuously engaged in theatres of operation, deploying both units entirely trained by its own personnel and elements integrated into task force structures for the inter-agency special operationsas well as being deployed in multiple military assistance operations to local forces in countries designated by the political-military leadership.

It has also operated, from the post-war period to the present day, in all the missions to evacuate compatriots in the most turbulent areas of the planet, almost always solo, with the sole assistance of the Air Force.

In the mission ISAF in Afghanistan, at least since June 2006 to 2016, was the beating heart of the Task Force 45 providing the framework for all task groupand having under exclusive operational command, all special forces units of the Italian armed forces.

It unquestionably represents the spearhead of the Italian Armytraining among the strictest, toughest and most selective in the Italian armed forces, such as to obtain the raider qualification only after a long process of about two years.

The only department to participate in all the missions in which the Italian Army was involvedIt is also the first in the armed forces to be composed exclusively of professional soldiers, since 1953 (only conscripts could join the support companies). For more than half a century it has been framed in the Folgore Parachute Brigade, where, until 2000 selects “valuable” students from the troops (always upon voluntary request of the Paratrooper). The selections will be opened to the rest of the Armed Forces, as far as the troops in permanent service are concerned, at the beginning of the new millennium.

In recent years, thanks to a special procedure, they can gain access by qualifying as Incursor, also military personnel not on permanent service. Leave “Mamma Folgore”, as the Brigade was romantically called by the old raiders, in 2014to transit, as mentioned, in the COMFOSE.

World War I

The history of the Regiment can be associated with that of some Arditi units of the First World War, in particular the IX Assault Department. The Arditi imposed themselves on the military scene, earning an impressive reputation thanks to their acts of heroism and the violence of their actions. The Arditi were specialists in assaults with the throwing of hand grenades and in fighting with bladed weapons in enemy trenches.

The IX Department, in particular, distinguished itself on Mount Grappa, where the 15 June 1918 urgently went up with 600 daring men led by Major Giovanni Messe to recover the lost lines.

At 22, Valle San Lorenzo, Col Fagheron and Col Fenilon were recaptured. That left the Col Moschin. At 7:10 On the morning of June 16, 1918, the Arditi of Messe (despite the fact that the Italian artillery had not yet extended its fire as ordered) set out to attack the Col Moschin (municipality of Solagna).

After 10 minutes, the summit was retaken, however, taking numerous prisoners (more than 300) and taking many machine guns.

A few days later he took part in the conquest of Asolone (municipality of Pove), which cost the IX an enormous tribute in blood and was only temporary, because an enemy counterattack got the better of his exhausted forces. In a few hours the IX lost almost 50% of its forces.

World War II

During the Second World War, the 20 July 1942, an Arditi Regiment was formed in Santa Severa, which a few months later was named the 10th Arditi Regiment. The unit, with a blue flame insignia, operated under the command of the Operations Office of the General Staff of the Royal Army. Employed in operations behind enemy lines in Tunisia, Algeria, and in Sicily invaded by the Allies, the 8 September 1943.

War of Liberation

The I Battalion, also known as the “Boschetti” Arditi Battalion from the name of its commander, originally made up of three companies numbered 101st, 102nd and 103rd (paratroopers, swimmers then “landing” and trucks then “terrestrial”), deployed in Sardinia in January 1943, after the proclamation of the armistice of 8 September 1943 remained stationed on the island as a mobile reserve.

Renamed IX Assault Department, it was reorganized in 1944 into a landing company, a land company and a special company (102nd, 123rd and 110th) becoming part of the 20 March 1944 in the 1st Motorised Regiment in the process of being transformed into the Italian Liberation Corps, framed by the 27 June also the Volunteer Squadron "Guide" which represented the Cavalry Corps in the Italian Liberation Corps. The IX Assault Unit "Arditi" is engaged in the Marche in June.

After 18 days of fierce fighting along the “Edith” defensive line erected along the Musone river from Loreto, Osimo and Filottrano by the Nazi-fascist occupation forces, not without countless attempts to cross it by Polish liberation troops, the CIL and the Majella Division with considerable losses, the 18 June 1944 the IX Department itself was employed and succeeded in breaking through near Casenuove di Osimo.

This courageous feat allowed first and foremost the liberation of Ancona, logistically decisive for the early breakthrough of the Gothic Line.

The IX assault unit was assigned to the II Brigade of the CIL and was then incorporated into the 24 September 1944 The CIL was disbanded, with the name of III Battalion “Col Moschin” in the 68th Infantry Regiment of the “Legnano” Combat Group, participating in the War of Liberation. The 9th Parachute Assault Regiment “Col Moschin” inherited its traditions.

Post-war

Dissolved on 1 August 1946, is reconstituted as Parachute Saboteurs Company at the infantry school in Cesano on 20 April 1953. The 1 June 1957 becomes Parachute Saboteurs Department assigned to the Military Parachuting Centre in Livorno, and later in Pisa. He became Parachute Saboteurs Battalion 25 September 1961.

the 10 May 1963 assumes training, logistical and administrative autonomy by being attached to the Command Parachute Brigade 'Folgore. 26 September 1975 takes the name of 9th Parachute Assault Battalion “Col Moschin”. In the'October 1976 the battalion was presented with the war flag of the X Armed Regiment.

At that time, in the absence of a specific command dedicated to Special Forces operations (such as the COFSestablished in 2004, or the COMFOSE, created in 2014), the department was under direct supervision of the Army General Staff (SME), through the Operations Office of the III Department, directly monitoring its equipment and training.

30 December 1985 the Special Operations Groups (GOS) by order of the then Minister of Defense Spadolini, and a quota of the "Col Moschin" and one of the COMSUBIN Navyfor SISMI operations.

In 1995 from battalion to regiment and takes the name of 9th Parachute Assault Regiment “Col Moschin”, with the 1st Incursor Battalion.

In 2014 the regiment leaves the Folgore Brigade to join the newly formed Army Special Forces Command (COMFOSE).

In April 2019 the grey-green beret is handed over, replacing the amaranth beret, which is in addition to the specific beret frieze, the black insignia and the patent badge with gladius, all symbols and friezes of the Arditi.

Operations Notes

The unit has been the protagonist of numerous special and anti-terrorist operations around the world and is the only one to have participated in all the military missions abroad of the Italian Army from the post-war period to today. Below is a brief mention of the known operations, but it goes without saying, given the nature of the unit, that many are not made public and covered by military and state secrecy.

We are the last resort, and as such, we must be used wisely. After us, there is no other organization that can take over. We cannot fail. We are a solution device.

Par. Gen. Incursor Nicola Zanelli

Lebanon, 1983: On March 15, a patrol of the San Marco Battalion was ambushed near the Sabra camp. Four marines were wounded, one seriously. That same night, Brigadier General Franco Angioni led a counterattack to intercept the attackers. During the clash, three raiders were wounded and the action was suspended. The next day, the Israeli army command sent a message of admiration for the courage shown by the Italian raiders in fighting at night: “Tell your commander that you are admired, because in the Middle East no one fights at night.”

Achille Lauro, 1985: On October 7, the day of the hijacking of the Achille Lauro, 60 Col Moschin raiders arrive at the military base of Akrotiri, in Cyprus, ready to intervene in a hostage-clearing operation, planned together with UNIS of COMSUBIN. However, the situation is resolved with a diplomatic approach.

Somalia, 1992-1993: On December 13, 1992, during Operation Restore Hope, a C-130 Hercules of the 46th Air Brigade took a team of raiders from the 9th Regiment “Col Moschin” to Mogadishu, who occupied the Italian embassy building, abandoned since the beginning of the civil war in 1991. On June 5, 1993, about 20 raiders intervened to save a group of Pakistani peacekeepers who had fallen into an ambush near Radio Mogadishu. Four weeks later, during the Battle of the Pasta Factory, the Colour Sergeant Major Stefano Paolicchi, effective to the unit, will be the first casualty of the battle during a first attempt, at 9.30 in the morning, to regain control of the neighborhood armed hand. There will also be several raiders wounded during the battle. The unit will fight on July 2, 1993 without stopping, incessantly, house by house, alley by alley, flushing out Somali snipers throughout the neighborhood of Aliwa, from the early hours of the morning until the order to retreat, which came around 13:00.

Rwanda, 1994: The raiders participate in the evacuation of Italian civilians during the Rwandan civil war. Despite the tragedy surrounding the country, the operators will be able to evacuate all the compatriots using civilian vehicles requisitioned at Kigali airport. The operation Hippocampus in Rwanda is considered one of the most difficult operations in which the 9th Col Moschin took part.

In the mission ISAF in Afghanistan, from 2006 to 2014, he commanded the Task Force 45 (the largest deployment of special forces ever deployed by Italy since the post-war period) and provides the framework to all the task group. During these years, the unit took part in dozens and dozens of direct and indirect combat missions in Afghan territory. 

Afghanistan, 2007: In September, Col Moschin raiders participate in a blitz with the British SBS to free two SISMI agents kidnapped in Farah province. After a firefight in the prison camp where the Italian operators eliminate all the hostile forces present, it is reported that the kidnappers are moving by land. The English locate the kidnappers' car and engage in a firefight. During the clash, Agent Lorenzo D'Auria, Paratrooper Marshal, is accidentally hit by British friendly fire. Once the engagement was concluded, the hostages were then found in the trunk of the car, blindfolded and wounded. D'Auria, seriously hit in the head, was transferred to the hospital, but would die days later from his wounds.

Afghanistan, 2010: on 17 September 2010 he lost in combat the Lieutenant Raider Alessandro Romani. Together with the operational detachment of which he is commander, Romani is helicoptered to the area of Bakwah, province of Herat, to capture Afghan terrorists identified by a UAV Predator while placing a bomb under a road bridge. Wounded in the shoulder in the ensuing firefight, he dies a few hours later in hospital Role 2 of Farah from cardiovascular arrest due to his injuries.

Iraq, 2015: Thirty Col Moschin raiders operate against ISIS in Taqaddum, between Fallujah and Ramadi, in collaboration with American special forces.

Libya: At least 40 raiders are sent to train and assist the NTC rebels, as well as to coordinate NATO air strikes.

Italy, 2023: A contingent of 43 raiders intervenes in Emilia Romagna following a flood, demonstrating the versatility and rapid response of Italian special forces even in non-war contexts.

Sudan, 2023: the unit is once again called to evacuate Italian civilians abroad in a country ravaged by civil war, this time in Sudan. In April 2023, the raiders will evacuate all Italian citizens scattered in and around the Sudanese capital within 48 hours. According to the Incursor Gen. Giuseppe Faraglia, who coordinated the operation for the COVI (Joint Force Operational Command) the operators acted at night, finding themselves in a complex and extremely dangerous situation.

News

The regiment, framed in the Army Special Forces Command, for the operational activity depends on the COFS, the Joint Special Forces Operations Command.

With the new reorganisation, the regiment is arranged into three battalions:

• 1st Incursor Battalion
• Operational Support Battalion
  • Command and Logistics Support Company
  • C4 Company
• RAFOS (Special Operations Forces Training Unit)
  • Incursor Training Base

Each company consists of several detachments (the exact number is a military secret).

An operational detachment of the Col Moschin (usually six per company) has within it:

• a Raider with Combat Medic specialisation, a Breacher (explosives handling)
• an EOD-IEDD deactivator (artificer)
• an SF JTAC - Special Forces Joint Terminal Attack Controller (advanced air control)
• an information collector
• one or two snipers.

Training and selection

Training to obtain the qualification of Raider is among the most severe and selective of the Italian armed forces, requiring a long and demanding process of approximately 2 years.

Candidates for the unit are chosen through a 21-day selection process at the BAI (Base Addestramento Incursori) training centre in Pisa; they are then trained through a long training cycle lasting approximately two years.

The selection and initial training are carried out together with the candidates for the 185th Paratrooper Reconnaissance and Target Acquisition Regiment “Folgore” and for the 4th Paratrooper Regiment Alpini “Btg Monte Cervino”, to then continue the specific training at their destination departments.

Officers (rank of second lieutenant and lieutenant), non-commissioned officers (sergeants or marshals), VSPs and VFP-4s, and VFP1s from any department and post participate in the selections.

Until the early 2000s, as far as the troops were concerned, it selected personnel exclusively from the Folgore Paratroopers Brigade, subsequently it opened its selections to all departments and specialties of the Italian Army.

What we publish is purely indicative and based on information in the public domain, since operations, personnel, training and any other information relating to the department are covered by military secrecy.

Selective phase

The 7-week course is structured in pre-selection and selection internship. The initial pre-selection includes several physical tests:

• flat race: 2000 m within 8'20'';
• bar tractions: minimum 10 in 1' (prone grip);
• arm bends (squats/flexions): minimum 30 in 1';
• bending on the parallel bars: minimum 10 in 1';
• abdominal squats: minimum 40 in 1';
• rope climb (**)4 m within 1'45'' (any technique);
• high jump: minimum 120 cm (any technique);
• rapid march: 7000 m within 45' (in combat uniform and services);
• weighted march: 10 km with 10 kg backpack within 1h 12';
• pool apnea test (**): 15 m line in combat uniform and services without boots;
• buoyancy test (**): minimum 5' in combat uniform and services without boots;
• swimming test: 50 m within 2'15'' in combat uniform and services without boots (any style).

 (**) Barrier test

Those who pass the physical pre-selection participate in the 101st Trainee Company, in the Selection internship, second phase of the selection process, which includes:

• 5 time weighted gearsin combat uniform and a 20 kg rucksack without a weapon, on routes of varying difficulty, altitude and distance;
• tests of daringat the 'Lustrissimi' complex in Livorno, which involve overcoming war courses, aerial obstacles and rope bridges, in order to ascertain courage, coordination and speed.
• Aquatic and amphibious testssea base, surface swimming and rowing.

Common training phase (19 weeks)

• Parachuting Course Rope Constraint (FV) (4 weeks) at the Paratrooper Training Center (CAPAR) of the “Folgore” Paratrooper Brigade, allows aspirants to obtain the military paratrooper license for those who do not already hold it;
• Special Operations Basic Operator Course (OBOS) (15 weeks), a common factor under the aegis of RAFOS in the Livorno and Montorio Veronese headquarters. It focuses on enhancing physical fitness and resistance and on acquiring the basic notions for planning and conducting Special Operations. It includes theoretical and practical training on topography, topographic marches, learning of orientation and land navigation techniques, technical tactical procedures (PTT) of the FOS, specific technical training on transmissions, first aid procedures and tactical medicine with the attendance of a course that follows the BLS (Basic Life Support).

Specialised training phase

After passing the Basic Special Operations Operator – OBOS course, future raiders remain at RAFOS to begin the specialized training reserved for the formation of operators of the 9th Regiment Col Moschin. This phase lasts 52 weeks.

Combat Course for Special Forces (CCFS)

Lasting 23 weeks, it is conducted, as in the OBOS, by highly experienced instructors assigned to the RAFOS on a rotational basis by the operating companies of the Ninth, it is held entirely at the RAFOS and is divided into various parts:

• Survival, escape and evasion, resisting interrogationduration of 3 weeks.
• Explosives Handling Course8 weeks, which teaches explosives handling techniques and procedures, sabotage techniques and expeditious demolition.
• Combat Medic according to Combat Life Support protocolswhich provide the rudiments of first aid techniques.
• Special Forces Radio Operator Module, which enables the use of the sophisticated VHF, HF and satellite radio equipment supplied, necessary to ensure tactical and strategic communications.
• Technical Tactical Procedures for Special Forces (PTT/FS), for the in-depth study of the procedures of the operational raider detachment in typical employment situations.

Finally, the knowledge of all the light weapons supplied to the unit is deepened and the students attend a series of lessons on the photointerpretation of aerial shots. At the end, having obtained the “Guastatore Paracadutista” qualification, the student will face the next phase, the Incursore Paracadutista qualification course.

Advanced Combat Course for Special Forces (CCAFS)

The course lasts 5 weeks and is designed to deepen the advanced techniques of combat in urban environments, instinctive, discriminated and close-range shooting, breaking and entering and intervention in the most disparate scenarios against targets located inside various types of buildings.

Habilitation as a raider

Candidates, who have successfully completed the first phase of specialization, begin the “Qualification Course Incursor Paratrooper”, which aims to complete the training of students, specialize personnel and make them capable of operating in the different environments and employment scenarios peculiar to special forces. The improvement includes a series of courses of variable duration managed directly by RAFOS or held at external educational institutions and are the following:

• Amphibious mobility course, lasting six weeks, for learning the techniques of amphibious operations, which includes day and night navigation exercises with outboard motor inflatable boats, practice of operational surface swimming, launching and rapid recovery from moving vessels and both theoretical and practical knowledge of the nautical means in use by the department: rigid-hull boats, canoes, self-inflating rigid-hull inflatable boats. At the end of the course, the nautical license is obtained for the use of smaller vehicles within the 12-mile coastal strip.
• Media and Material Recognition Course3 weeks, for knowledge and recognition of the weapons, vehicles and uniforms of some foreign armed forces.
• Freefall Skydiving Course (TCL)It takes place at the Centro Addestramento Paracadutismo (CAPAR) in Pisa for a period of between five and six weeks, during which command-opening jumps are made from a maximum height of 3-4000 metres (10,000 feet).
• Basic Training Course Alpinistic (CA1), at the Alpine Training Centre (CEALP) in Aosta, lasting 6 weeks (since 2011), to provide the fundamental knowledge relating to climbing and mountain movement techniques, necessary to confer the ability to operate in mountain environments in safe conditions.
• Basic Ski Training Course (CS1), always at the CEALP of Aosta, lasting 6 weeks since 2011 dedicated to learning the techniques of movement in the mountains in snowy environments: alpinistic skiing and cross-country skiing, avalanche prevention and survival in cold climates.
• Basic English Language Course, lasting 5 weeks, at the SLEE (Army School of Foreign Languages) in Perugia, or at affiliated schools in Livorno.

At the end of this long training process, the candidates receive the coveted Parachute Incursor Patent and transit to an operational company detachment.

Further training and specialisation courses

• Underwater Course, lasting 12 weeks, at the COMSUBIN of Varignano (La Spezia), to learn how to operate safely in the marine environment, with an in-depth study of surface and underwater operational swimming techniques, and to obtain the qualification to use the ARO (Automatic Oxygen Rebreather) and ARA (Automatic Air Rebreather) underwater apparatus.
• Alpinistics and Skiing Advanced Training Course, at the Alpine Training Center in Aosta, to deepen the knowledge of alpinistiche techniques and to learn the ability to operate in arctic and high mountain environments, and to increase the level of operational mobility in particularly challenging conditions and in the presence of an adversary trained to operate in the mountains. The succession of courses can lead to obtaining the qualifications of instructor or selected military instructor of skiing and mountain combat.
• Advanced Parachuting Course, lasting 3-4 weeks, to learn the techniques for high altitude jumps (7,000-11,000 metres) with oxygen and opening at low altitudes – HALO (High Altitude Low Opening), or with opening at high altitude and navigation under sail – HAHO (High Altitude High Opening).

Courses by speciality

• Sharpshooter Course, held at the Regiment, to enable the correct use of the numerous precision rifles supplied, derived from the US SOTIC (Special Operations Target Interdiction Course), designed for the .308 caliber.
• FAC (Forward Air Controller) Course, for qualification for missions relating to the ground direction of air attacks and the designation of targets to pilots, held at the Air Force School of Aerocooperation, lasting five weeks (three theoretical and two practical). This qualification is limited to elements in possession of the necessary level of knowledge of the English language (which can be achieved by attending the advanced course at SLEE Perugia). As a rule, the course is followed by the Fire Controller for Special Operations (CF/OS), for a further three weeks. All this is a prelude to the qualification for the Laser Target Marking (FAC/LTM) function for the use of the laser designators supplied to the Regiment.
• Combat Medic Course. At the national level, the Raiders assigned to this sector obtain the qualification of “Military Rescuer” at the School of Health in Rome, after a three-week course that guarantees, among other things, a sort of legal status to operate in the field of first aid, although with significant limitations. In addition, it is possible to attend the “Special Operations Combat Medics (SOCM) Course”, held at the ISTC in Pfullendorf and which teaches the fundamental first aid procedures, such as stopping hemorrhages and ensuring correct infusion and anti-shock therapy, and the “18D – Special Operations Combat Medic” course of the American Green Berets.
• EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal Operator) Course e IEDD course (Improvised Explosive Ordnance Disposal Operator), to be attended at the EOD Training Center of the Army Engineers School.

Other courses

• Escort and Close Protection of Personalities Courseheld at the Regiment on V.I.P. protection and escort techniques, lasting five weeks.
• Advanced English Language Course, to further develop the basic course, for a complete knowledge of the English language, at the Army Foreign Languages School in Perugia.

The Department Commanders

IX Assault Department

Maj-Gen John MESSE 02/1918 - 12/1918
Maj. PARISI 1919 - 11/1920
Lt-Col. Col. MESSE John 11/1920 - xxxx

X Regiment Arditi

Col. GAZZANIGA Renzo 01/08/1942 - 08/09/1943

Arditi Battalion “BOSCHETTI”

Lt-Col. Col. BOSCHETTI Guido 12/1942 - end of conflict

IX Assault Department

Maj. MARCIANO' Vito 1943 - end of the conflict

Parachute Saboteurs Company

Lt. FALCONE Franco 09/1952 - 19/04/1953

Parachute Saboteurs Department

Capt. ACCONCI E. Edward 20/04/1953 - 30/06/1959
Lt. FALCONE Franco 01/07/1959 - 09/05/1960
Ch. IMPROVEMENT Francis 09/05/1960 - 19/09/1960
Capt. FALCONE Franco 20/09/1960 - 31/10/1961

Parachute Saboteurs Battalion

Maj. CAMURANI Ambrose 01/11/1961 - 16/02/1963
Maj. ACCONCI E. E. Edward 17/02/1963 - 15/08/1964
Maj. SOLINAS Dominic 16/08/1964 - 14/11/1965
Maj. VIETRI Antonio 16/11/1965 - 20/08/1967
Lt. Col. CAVALLINO Italo 21/08/1967 - 19/08/1969
Maj. BASSI Ermanno 20/08/1969 - 22/08/1971
Lt-Col. Col. ANGIONI Franco 23/08/1971 - 22/08/1972
Lt-Col. Col. ROSSI Vladimiro 23/08/1972 - 22/08/1974

9th Parachute Assault Battalion “COL MOSCHIN”

Lt. Col. Aldo POLLICE 23/08/1974 - 23/08/1976
Lt-Col. Col. COLONNA Aniello 24/08/1976 - 19/07/1978
Lt-Col. Col. MONTICONE Franco 20/07/1978 - 28/07/1980
Lt-Col. Col. PETER Costanzo 29/07/1980 - 29/07/1982
Lt-Col. Col. PERSI PAOLO Enrico 30/07/1982 - 14/09/1982
Lt-Col. Col. PAPISCA Luigi 05/09/1982 - 10/06/1984
Lt-Col. Col. PIACENTINI Luciano 11/06/1984 - 30/08/1986
Lt-Col. Col. PERSI PAOLI Enrico 01/07/1986 - 26/09/1988
Lt-Col. Col. NARDI Enrico Ansano 27/09/1988 - 30/06/1991
Lt. Col. BERTOLINI Marco 01/07/1991 - 04/07/1993
Lt-Col. Col. SBLENDORIO Emanuele 05/07/1993 - 24/06/1995

9th Parachute Assault Regiment “COL MOSCHIN”

Col. NARDI Enrico Ansano 25/06/1995 - 04/09/1997
Col. BERTOLINI Marco 05/09/1997 - 12/12/1998
Col. SBLENDORIO Emanuele 13/12/1998 - 25/10/2002
Col. BRANDONISIO Michele 26/10/2002 - 31/07/2006
Col. ZANELLI Nicola 01/08/2006 - 10/10/2008
Col. FARAGLIA Giuseppe 10/10/2008 - 24/06/2011
Col. VANNACCI Roberto 24/06/2011 - 18/02/2014
Col. ADDIS Peter 18/02/2014 - 23/01/2015
Col. FORTEZZA Paolo 23/01/2015 - 15/09/2017
Col. GIULIANO Angelucci 15/09/2017 - 28/09/2018
Col. GROSSI Yuri 28/09/2018 - 15/10/2021
Col. ISONI Luigi Giovanni 15/10/2021 - 11/10/2024
Col. BANDIERI Andrea 11/10/2024 - In office

Flag Honours

Knight's Cross of the Military Order of Italy

In the hard trials of war, in the tormented trench or in the bitter battle, he knew every limit of sacrifice and courage; bold and tenacious, he tirelessly tamed places and fortunes, consecrating with fruitful blood the Roman virtue of the sons of Italy. 1915 – 1918 (To the Infantry Corps)

5 June 1920

Knight's Cross of the Military Order of Italy

Prestigious department, of exceptional professional qualification, which combines – in perfect harmony – the strong temperament of its men, the operational versatility, the generous desire for achievement and the immediate response to every request for intervention for the good of the national and international community. Present in Alto Adige (1967-1971) to carry out anti-terrorist operations and in Sardinia (1992) with the operation "Forza Paris" in collaboration with the police in the fight against organized crime, engaged in the overseas mission in Lebanon (1982-1984), in Iraq and Turkey (1991), in Somalia (1992-1993) gave admirable proof of efficiency and firm discipline, offering continuous proof of courage and sacrifice. It always and everywhere fulfilled the tasks entrusted to it with complete success, even in a difficult and hostile operational environment characterized by a high risk index. The Officers, the NCOs and the Paratroopers did their utmost in every circumstance, in a wonderful competition of self-denial and dedication to the service, also offering a blood tribute and providing an exceptional example of high military virtues that contributed to increasing the prestige of Italy and its Armed Forces in the international arena.

25 October 1994

Knight's Cross of the Military Order of Italy

In the finest tradition of the Italian Army's assault units, the regiment's incursors offered repeated proof of admirable valour, unparalleled expertise and an uncommon sense of responsibility, operating for more than three years as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission in Afghanistan. With an extraordinary spirit of sacrifice and absolute dedication to duty, working in often difficult tactical and environmental conditions, they made a decisive contribution to ISAF's efforts to stabilise the country and alleviate the suffering of the Afghan people, who are harshly marked by a persistent and violent state of internal conflict. Unconditionally recognised by the international community, the successes achieved contributed to strengthening the prestige and image of the entire Italian nation and its armed forces in the international scenario.

Kabul (Afghanistan), July 2006-October 2009

Gold Medal of Army Valor

The 9th Paratrooper Assault Battalion “Col Moschin” participated, with its own units within the Italian forces in Somalia, in the rescue operations for the Somali population. Composed essentially of professionals, aware of the leading role to be played in the operation, by virtue of the moral strength, sense of duty and attachment to the Specialty of its men, it devoted itself with total dedication and high capacity in the dangerous mission 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 generosity of its men as well as the moral compactness of its formations. Its operational detachments, involved in numerous conflicts abroad, always reacted with effectiveness and determination highlighting the military value, the operational capacity and the very strong motivation of its members. Despite the painful, heavy losses suffered in combat, he continued to carry out the tasks entrusted to him without wavering with the pride and arrogance 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, 22 December 1992 – 7 September 1993

Silver medal for military valour

Through the unstoppable and daring impetus of the waves, in a single leap he bloodily reached formidable and important positions.

Col Moschin, 15 June 1918 – Col della Berretta, 20 October 1918

Silver medal for military valour

During several months of war he gave constant proof of aggressiveness and unscrupulousness. During an offensive action, launched on an exposed wing, he developed his maneuver with speed, decision and energy, managing to surprise and disrupt the German device. Suddenly called to another important task, he entered with superb impetus into the battle and in the hard and contested attack, when the outcome of the fight was still uncertain, he broke through the enemy deployment with impetus, after a daring fragmentary close fight he reached all the objectives at night. In the pursuit he gave no respite to the adversary. Excellent instrument of war, elastic and tenacious; very proud and generous worthy heir of the very shining traditions linked to his name.

Colli al Volturno, Guardiagrele, Cingoli, Musone, Esino, 11 February – 25 July 1944

Silver medal for military valour

Veteran in the war of Liberation, he participated with inexhaustible ardour in the breakthrough battle on the Apennines of Bologna, giving a decisive contribution to the liberation of the city. With heroic impetus he bent, broke, shattered the fanatical resistance of seasoned German units, imposing himself on the admiration of the allied units that fought alongside him.

War for the Liberation of Italy, 20 March – 30 April 1945

Silver medal for army valour

Regiment within the Multinational Brigade North engaged in Bosnia-Herzegovina, he performed his assigned tasks with extraordinary enthusiasm, total dedication and an uncommon spirit of sacrifice. During the many activities of monitoring, patrolling routes, escorting humanitarian convoys and controlling and inspecting sites, in a particularly delicate and complex operational and environmental situation, he operated with constant balance, a deep sense of duty and extremely high professionalism. The ceaseless commitment to humanitarian support for populations, the prevention of criminal underworld activities and the saving of numerous human lives, highlighted the extraordinary skills and exceptional qualities of courage, steadfastness and solidarity of the men of the 9th Assault Regiment 'Col. Moschin', who performed a decisive function in restoring peaceful coexistence, sometimes at the risk of personal safety. This was a clear example of a highly motivated and cohesive unit that showed the highest professionalism, concrete moral steadfastness and elevated military virtues in its men and that significantly contributed to enhancing and ennobling the prestige of Italy and the Armed Force in the international context.

Sarajevo, 03 July 1996 - 24 March 1997