Traditionally, until the end of the 20th century, the command and use of special forces of the Italian Army were the prerogative of the Folgore Parachute Brigade through the 9th Assault Regiment 'Col Moschin'. Similarly, for the Navy the use of the COMSUBIN took place not through an actual operational command, but directly under the control of the Ministry of Defence via the Defence Staff (SMD). The Carabinieri GIS until the end of 2003, it was not even validated as a special force.
The advent of the new millennium marked a significant turning point: the creation of new units dedicated to special operations and the need to recognise other entities as such, e.g. the Carabinieri's GIS, and to improve the optimisation of resources in the various theatres of deployment, as well as interoperability, thanks to the specific expertise of the four armed forces, contributed to greater specialisation and focus on the future of Italian special forces.
Strategic Origins and Aims
COFS was initially established with the status of Interforce Parachute Incursion Unitthe result of a decision by the then Chief of Defence Staff, Adm. Giampaolo Di Paola which resulted from a specific initiative of the pro-tempore Minister of Defence, Hon. Antonio Martinoby providing the Defence with a specific instrument for the conduct of Special Operations and thus completing the restructuring begun with the creation of the then COI (today COVI) for the command of conventional operations, aligning Italy with the other main countries of the Atlantic Alliance, whereby the Special Forces represent a resource of strategic importance.
Officially established the 1 December 2004 under the guidance of General Parachutist Raider (Italian Army) Marco Bertolini already in 2008 was recognised as planning command and in 2021 was validated by NATO as Special Operations Component Command (SOCC) within the NATO Response Force (NRF). Between 2021 and 2023, the COFS was dependent on the Inter-Forces Summit Operations Command (COVI), but from 2023 it returned under the direct supervision of the Chief of Defence Staff.
Positioned under the direct command of the Chief of Defence Staff, is located at Centocelle 'Francesco Baracca' Military Airport and is responsible for coordinate and manage all Italian special forces operations.
Structure of the C.O.F.S.
As mentioned, the command coordinates all special forces operations belonging to the four Armed Forces, specifically:
- 9th Parachute Assault Regiment 'Col Moschin' (Army)
- Incursor Operations Group (Navy)
- 17th Incursor Wing (Air Force)
- Special Intervention Group (Carabinieri)
- 4th Alpini Parachute Regiment 'Ranger' (Army)
- 185th Parachute Reconnaissance and Target Acquisition Regiment 'Folgore' (Army)
The COFS therefore represents a fundamental pillar in the management of Italian special operations, emphasising the importance of innovation and adaptation to new international scenarios, representing an important step forward in aligning Italian military capabilities with NATO standards, and acting as a prelude to the creation of the COMFOSE (Army Special Forces Command) in 2014.
These developments have demonstrated, without a shadow of a doubt, Italy's ability to adapt in changing international contexts, contributing significantly to national and international security and stability, as well as being a model for the Allies.
Since its establishment, the COFS has overseen numerous key initiatives in the field of special operations, most of them classified by state secrecy and only later made public, such as the establishment of the Task Force 45 active in Afghanistan from 2006 to 2014.
Symbolism and COFS motto
The COFS symbol is inspired by the central element of the painting "The Oath of Horatii by Jacques-Louis David (1784) exhibited at the Louvre Museum in Paris.
The painting depicts a Roman legend told by Titus Livius and dramatised in the play 'Horace' by Corneille. During the reign of Tullus Hostiliusto determine the outcome of the war between Rome and Alba Longa, three Roman brothers, the Orazi fought against three brothers of Alba Longa, i Curiazi. At the end of the clash, no Curiazio survived, while one of the Orazi was able to return, thus sanctioning Rome's victory.
The three swords symbolise the defence of the homeland in the three natural elements-land, sea and sky-theatre of special operations.
The motto, "etiam si omnes ego non", is taken from the Gospel according to Matthew and reflects the determination and moral virtue of those who are called upon to emerge by exploiting their moral and spiritual qualities.
The Commanders
Gen. D. Marco BERTOLINI - Italian Army - 1 December 2004, 25 September 2008
Adm. D. Donato MARZANO - Navy - 26 September 2008, 9 October 2011
Gen. D. Maurizio FIORAVANTI - Italian Army- 10 October 2011, 2 November 2014
Adm. Sq. Giuseppe CAVO DRAGONE - Navy - 3 November 2014, 26 June 2016
Gen. D. Nicola ZANELLI - Italian Army- 27 June 2016, 23 October 2019
H.S.H. Gen. Nicola LANZA DE CRISTOFORIS - Air Force - 24 October 2019, 19 January 2022
Adm. Sq. Paolo PEZZUTTI - Navy - 20 January 2022, actually
