The historic company of the 186th Paratrooper Regiment Folgore framed in the 5th Paratrooper Battalion El Alamein, was temporarily closed at the end of 2019. Today it officially returns to operation.
From the Glory of El Alamein to Siena, Passing Through Livorno
Born with the Paratrooper Division at the Royal Parachuting School in Tarquinia, in July 1942, the XIII Company, framed in the V Paratrooper Battalion of the 186th Paratrooper Regiment Folgore, was transferred to North Africa. During the second battle of El Alamein it distinguished itself for its valor, resisting to the last without yielding ground to the enemy.
With the dissolution of the Folgore Division, its history continues in the post-war period, when it was framed in the 1st Paratrooper Regiment based in Livorno. Between 1973 and 1979, following the dissolution of the 1st Paratrooper Regiment, the XIII Condor was framed in the 5th Paratrooper Battalion "El Alamein", now established as an autonomous Corps.
The Transfer to Siena and the First International Missions
In April 1977, Lieutenant Colonel Marinelli took command of the Detachment at the new headquarters in Siena of the 5th Paratrooper Battalion, having under his command the Reconnaissance Company, led by Captain Celentano, and in July of the same year, the "Thirteen", commanded by Captain Cirneco, also joined the unit.
In 1982, the "Condor" participated in the Lebanon 2 mission in Beirut with the rest of the Battalion. In 1991, together with the 15th Company, reinforced by personnel from the Medium Mortar Company and the Command and Services Company, it took part in the Provide Comfort mission in Iraqi Kurdistan, within the framework of UN Security Council resolution no. 687, with the aim of assisting Kurdish refugees oppressed by Saddam Hussein's regime.
In the Reconstituted 186th Paratrooper Regiment "Folgore"
On September 16, 1992, with the reconstitution of the 186th Paratrooper Regiment "Folgore", the XIII Company was employed in the operation Vespri Siciliani in Palermo under the command of Captain Massimo Mingiardi (future General Commander of the Paratrooper Brigade Folgore). On December 28, it departed for Somalia in the operation IBIS, returning to the homeland on June 10, 1993.
Between the late 1990s and early 2000s, the company was present in Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo, Lebanon, and, with some men, also in Iraq in the operation Ancient Babylon.
In 2001, it was employed in the security of the red zone during the G8 in Genoa, receiving great institutional praise. In particular, the paratroopers of the XIII Company took care of the surveillance of the Air Force One of American President George W. Bush.
In 2009, it was deployed in Afghanistan in the operation ISAF, taking part in complex military operations in the most turbulent areas of the country.
The 2010s and the Temporary Closure
In the following decade, the XIII Company was engaged in numerous missions in the Balkans and Africa, until the temporary closure at the end of 2019, as part of the Battalion's reorganization.
Today, the XIII is Operational Again
Today, February 28, 2025, the XIII Paratrooper Company Condor officially returns to operation, ready to forge new generations of Paratroopers.
Condor!!! Folgore!!!!
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