Gruppo di intervento speciale (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 Law Enforcement, the GIS has a dual nature. Although initially conceived for counter-terrorism operations (SWAT), since 2000 it has actively participated in numerous war theaters, including the Balkans, Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Horn of Africa, as well as operating in countries where Italian embassies are particularly exposed to risks.

Since 2004, it has been recognized as an integral part of the Italian Special Forces, ready to conduct high-risk operations internationally, on par with the 9th Col Moschin Regiment of the Army, the Operational Raiders Group of the Navy's ComSubin, and the 17th Raiders Wing of the Air Force.

Framed within the 2nd Mobile Brigade of the Carabinieri, the GIS responds operationally to the Joint Command for Special Forces Operations. Unlike other units, GIS members, in addition to having the qualification of Raider, also possess the qualification of Officer or Public Security 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 "Years of Lead", Italian political and civil institutions were subjected to violent attacks by internal terrorist groups. Although the government had not yet taken official measures, special units were created within the armed forces and police to develop and experiment with intervention techniques in crisis situations, particularly in the presence of hostages.

After the success of the "Feuerzauber" (Magic Fire) operation on October 18, 1977, during which the German anti-terrorism 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 complement anti-terrorism investigations with the ability to conduct "commando" type operations. On October 24, 1977, a directive from the Ministry of the Interior was issued for the establishment of special operational units to combat terrorism.

SWAT

In response to this directive, the leaders of the Carabinieri decided to draw from the 1st Carabinieri Paratroopers Battalion Tuscania, then commanded by Colonel Romano Marchisio, to form the Special Intervention Group (GIS). The GIS became the first official SWAT unit in Italy, established on February 6, 1978, by the General Command of the Carabinieri. At the same time, the State Police further specialized some of its offices to support the anti-terrorism actions of the UCIGOS, creating the NOCS.

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

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

The public debut of the GIS took place on December 29, 1980, when a riot broke out in the Trani prison, led by terrorists. The GIS men, descending from helicopters, quickly regained control of the prison, despite the numerous obstacles posed by the rioters to prevent the intervention.

Special Forces

The year 2004 marks a turning point for the GIS. Nationally, the unit obtains the qualification of Tier 1 special force, positioning itself alongside the special units of the other Italian armed forces. Internationally, the GIS becomes part of the ATLAS Network, a European Union organization that brings together the tactical police units of member countries and some non-EU countries, with the aim of standardizing the operational standards of European anti-terrorism units.

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

Organization

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

In addition to the qualification of raider, GIS members also possess the qualification of public security agents, a distinctive element that enables them to operate in both military and civilian contexts.

The structure of the GIS, whose number of members is classified, is organized at the company level and divided into various specialized units:

• Command Unit: Responsible for bureaucratic and administrative functions.
• Operational Planning Section: Develops plans for complex operations (on airplanes, trains, buses, public infrastructures, etc.), reviews internal procedures, and develops new materials and equipment.
• Negotiators Unit: 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 Section: Includes instructors specialized in various disciplines and responsible for the training of operators, as well as courses for external personnel.
• Snipers and Reconnaissance Section: Composed of experts in precision shooting, reconnaissance, and intelligence. It is further divided into teams of snipers armed with bolt-action and semi-automatic rifles. It also includes a technical detachment dedicated to the maintenance and testing of equipment.
• Technical Section: Handles radio communications and the testing of new equipment to improve operational efficiency.
• Four Operational Sections: Each divided into four detachments, each composed of:
  • Commander;
  • Explosives specialist;
  • Climbing specialist;
  • Equipment specialist.

Operational Phases

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

1. A unit always ready for immediate deployment.
2. A second operational unit within three hours of activation.
3. The entire department is deployable within 24 hours.

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

The typical GIS operation is structured in six main phases:

1. Alarm, activated by the Operations Room of the General Command of the Corps.
2. Personnel preparation, with operational units at different times.
3. Transfer to the area of employment, by land, helicopter, or plane.
4. Deployment of the device for intervention.
5. Intervention.
6. Evacuation.

Counterterrorism

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

The General Command of the Carabinieri Corps employs the GIS also for the protection of threatened personalities and to support territorial units in crisis situations, such as kidnappings or the capture of dangerous criminals, fugitives, or escapees. Additionally, the GIS occasionally participates in the training of foreign police forces, providing its operational expertise.

In Italy, there is no single unit dedicated exclusively to counterterrorism in the field of public order. In addition to the GIS, the NOCS (Central Security Operations Unit) of the State Police and the ATPI (Ready-to-Use Anti-Terrorism) of the Guardia di Finanza participate in anti-terrorism operations. These units can be supported by Special Forces under the supervision of the Joint Special Operations Command (COFS). Since 2015, the Special Intervention Units (UnIS) of the Ministry of the Interior and the Anti-Terrorism Task Units in Rome and Milan have been reconstituted, with the GIS receiving tactical support from the "Tuscania" Paratrooper Carabinieri Regiment.

Special Operations

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

Starting in 2004, the GIS, initially conceived as a counterterrorism unit, was officially recognized by the Defense Staff as a special force. This transformation has increased its deployment for missions in military bases abroad. Operations outside Italy are activated directly by the COFS (Joint Special Operations Command), which manages the deployment of Italian special forces.

Since 2016, the GIS has also been involved in covert missions abroad at the request of the AISE (External Intelligence and Security Agency), contributing to high-profile operations that fill a gap compared to the operational capabilities of intelligence services in other countries.

Selection and Training

Within the GIS, it is believed that counter-terrorism operations require a very high degree of specialized skills, precision, and perfect coordination at the tactical and operational levels. Even with the most advanced technical support, the human factor remains crucial for the success of missions.

For this reason, the standards required of aspiring GIS raiders are extremely high. Candidates must come from the 1st Carabinieri Paratroopers Regiment "Tuscania" and have at least two years of service. The maximum age allowed for entry is 32 years, which ensures that GIS has a pool of already highly prepared candidates. However, despite this solid foundation, many fail the rigorous selection process, which begins with extremely strict physical and psychological exams.

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-defense techniques.
• Fast and accurate shooting with pistols, rifles, and submachine guns.
• Handling explosives and special liquids, following the procedures of the Italian Army Engineering School.
• Climbing and skiing, at the Carabinieri School in Selva di Val Gardena.
• Protection and escort, including personal protection techniques and driving armored vehicles.
• Rappelling and other techniques for rapid 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 operators to high-stress situations and gradually improve their performance. In addition to refining technical skills, the program also focuses on the ability to assess risks, preparing candidates both tactically and mentally for the challenges of their future missions.