Special Intervention Group (GIS)

The Special Intervention Group (GIS) is a TIER 1 special forces unit of the Carabinieri.

Created in 1978 as a special unit of the security forces, the GIS has a dual nature. Although initially conceived for anti-terrorist operations (leather heads), since 2000 it has actively participated in numerous theatres of war, including the Balkans, Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa, as well as operating in countries where Italian embassies are particularly exposed to risk.

Since 2004, it has been recognised as an integral part of the Italian Special Forces, ready to conduct high-risk operations at an international level, on a par with the 9th Army Col Moschin Regimentthe Navy's ComSubin Incursor Operations Group, and the 17th Air Force Incursor Wing.

Set within the 2nd Mobile Brigade of the Carabinieri, the GIS responds operationally to the Special Forces Operations Command. Unlike other units, the members of the GIS, in addition to having the rank of Raider, also hold the rank of Public Security Officer or Agent, depending on their rank, giving them a unique role in both military and public order operations.

Origins

In the 1970s, during the period known as the 'anni di piombo', Italian political and civil institutions were the target of violent attacks by domestic terrorist groups. Although the government had not yet taken any official measures, special units were created within the armed forces and police to develop and test crisis intervention techniques, especially in the presence of hostages.

After the successful operation 'Feuerzauber' (Magic Fire) on 18 October 1977, during which the German anti-terrorist group GSG-9 freed 86 passengers and 3 crew members of the hijacked Lufthansa flight 181 in Somalia, Interior Minister Francesco Cossiga ordered the creation of a Special Intervention Unit (UN.I.S.). The idea was to combine anti-terrorist investigations with the ability to conduct 'commando' operations. Thus, on 24 October 1977, a directive was issued by the Ministry of the Interior to set up special operational units to combat terrorism.

Leather heads

In response to this directive, the Carabinieri's top brass decided to draw from the 1st Carabinieri Parachute Battalion Tuscania, then commanded by Colonel Romano Marchisio, to form the Special Intervention Group (GIS). The GIS became the first official 'Teste di Cuoio' unit in Italy, established on 6 February 1978 by the General Command of the Carabinieri Corps. At the same time, the State Police further specialised some of its offices to support UCIGOS counter-terrorism actions, creating the NOCS.

The GIS initially consisted of 36 Carabinieri Parachutists, including officers, and was divided into two operational sections. The first significant intervention occurred only a month later, during the search for Red Brigades hideouts during the kidnapping of Aldo Moro.

The unit could operate both in a judicial police and public order context, as well as in a military context, as was the case for other Carabinieri departments, such as the 1st Carabinieri Parachute Regiment 'Tuscania and the 13th Carabinieri Regiment 'Friuli Venezia Giulia'.

The GIS made its public debut on 29 December 1980, when a riot broke out in the Trani prison, led by terrorists. The GIS men descended from helicopters and quickly regained control of the prison, despite the numerous obstacles placed by the rioters to prevent their intervention.

Special Forces

The year 2004 represents a turning point for the GIS. On a national level, the department obtains the status of a TIER 1 special force, positioning itself alongside the special units of the other Italian armed forces. Internationally, the GIS joins the ATLAS Network, a European Union organisation that brings together the tactical police units of the member states and some non-EU countries, with the aim of standardising the operational standards of European anti-terrorist units.

With the Decree of the President of the Republic of 22 April 2020, the Special Intervention Group of the Carabinieri was granted the war flag, an honour reserved for units of particular value in the Armed Forces.

Organisation

Since 2001, the Special Intervention Group (GIS) has been part of the Carabinieri's 2nd Mobile Brigade and, for operations abroad, it depends on the Defence General Staff's Special Forces Operations Command (COFS), with operational headquarters at the "Francesco Baracca" airport in Centocelle, Rome. For civil and public order operations, the GIS is directly subordinate to the Commander General of the Carabinieri Corps.

In addition to their raid qualification, GIS members also have the status of public security officers, a distinctive feature that qualifies them to operate in both military and civilian environments.

The structure of the GIS, whose membership is confidential, is organised at company level and divided into several specialised units:

• Nucleus Command: Responsible for bureaucratic and administrative functions.
• Operational Planning SectionIt draws up plans for complex operations (on planes, trains, buses, public infrastructure, etc.), revises internal procedures and develops new materials and equipment.
• Core NegotiatorsIt also intervenes abroad and provides support during GIS operations and other special missions. Its members participate in seminars with foreign units and train daily with operational units to maintain maximum synergy.
• Training SectionIt includes instructors specialised in different disciplines and responsible for the training of operators, as well as courses for external personnel.
• Sharpshooters and Reconnaissance SectionComposed of experts in precision shooting, reconnaissance and intelligence. It is further divided into squads of marksmen armed with bolt-action and semi-automatic precision rifles. It also includes a technical detachment dedicated to equipment maintenance and testing.
• Technical SectionIt deals with radio communications and the testing of new equipment to improve operational efficiency.
• Four Operations SectionsEach divided into four detachments, each consisting of:
  • Commander;
  • Explosives specialist;
  • Climbing specialist;
  • Equipment specialist.

Operational phases

The GIS operates according to a modular alert plan with three levels of readiness:

1. Always ready for immediate deployment.
2. A second unit operating within three hours of activation.
3. The entire department can be mobilised within 24 hours.

For rapid transfer to intervention areas, the GIS has Agusta-Bell AB 412 or AgustaWestland AW109 helicopters from the Elinucleo Carabinieri in Pisa and transport aircraft from the 46th Air Force Brigade, such as Lockheed C-130 Hercules or Alenia C-27J Spartan.

The typical GIS operation consists of six main steps:

1. Alarmactivated by the Operational Room of the General Headquarters of the Armed Forces.
2. Staff readinesswith operational rates at different times.
3. Transfer to area of employmentby land, helicopter or plane.
4. Device deployment for the intervention.
5. Intervention.
6. Evacuation.

Counterterrorism

The Department of Public Security of the Ministry of Interior can deploy GIS for hostage rescue operations in complex scenarios such as planes, ships, trains, buses and buildings. GIS is also used to protect sensitive targets from potential terrorist or criminal attacks and to ensure security during high-risk events.

The Carabinieri General Command also deploys the GIS for the protection of threatened personalities and to support territorial units in crisis situations, such as kidnappings or the capture of dangerous, fugitive or escaped criminals. In addition, the GIS occasionally participates in the training of foreign police forces, providing operational expertise.

In Italy, there is no single unit dedicated exclusively to counterterrorism in the area of public order. In addition to the GIS, the NOCS (Nucleo Operativo Centrale di Sicurezza) of the Polizia di Stato and the ATPI (Antiterrorismo Pronto Impiego) of the Guardia di Finanza also participate in counter-terrorism operations. These units can be supported by the Special Forces under the supervision of the Joint Special Forces Operations Command (COFS). Since 2015, the Special Intervention Units (UnIS) of the Ministry of the Interior and the Counter-Terrorism Task Units in Rome and Milan have been reconstituted, with the GIS receiving tactical support from the Carabinieri Parachute Regiment 'Tuscania'.

Special Operations

Being part of the Carabinieri Corps, the GIS has been deployable in international peace-keeping and peace-enforcing missions since 2000. Its activities include counter-terrorism operations and the protection of embassies, military bases, citizens and Italian interests abroad.

As of 2004, the GIS, initially conceived as a counter-terrorism unit, was officially recognised by the Defence General Staff as a special force. This transformation has increased its use for missions on military bases abroad. Operations outside Italy are activated directly by the COFS (Comando Interforze per le Operazioni delle Forze Speciali), which manages the deployment of Italian special forces.

Since 2016, the GIS has also been involved in classified missions abroad at the request of the intelligence services of the AISE (Agenzia Informazioni e Sicurezza Esterna), contributing to high-profile operations that fill a gap with respect to the operational capabilities of other countries' intelligence services.

Selection and training

Within the GIS, it is believed that counterterrorism operations require a very high degree of specialised expertise, precision and perfect coordination at tactical and operational levels. Even with the most advanced technical support, the human factor remains crucial to mission success.

For this reason, the standards required of aspiring GIS raid fighters are extremely high. Candidates must come from the 1st Carabinieri Parachute Regiment 'Tuscania' and have at least two years of service. The maximum age allowed for entry is 32, which guarantees the GIS a pool of already highly prepared candidates. However, despite this solid base, many fail the rigorous selection process, which begins with extremely strict physical and psychological examinations.

Those who pass these tests begin a six-month training course to become GIS operators. The training covers a wide range of skills, including:

• Close combat and self-defence techniques.
• Rapid and accurate shooting with pistols, rifles and machine guns.
• Handling of explosives and special liquids, following the procedures of the Italian Army Corps of Engineers School.
• Climbing and skiing, at the Carabinieri School in Selva di Val Gardena.
• Protection and escorting, including personal protection techniques and driving armoured vehicles.
• Abseiling and other techniques for quick access from buildings and helicopters.
• Hand-to-hand combat and security and search techniques.
• Use of special weapons and equipment.

The training takes place in realistic environments to accustom the operators to high-stress situations and gradually improve their performance. In addition to refining technical skills, the programme also focuses on risk assessment skills, preparing candidates both tactically and mentally for the challenges of their future missions.