Joint Stars 2025: The Amphibious Training of the Brigata Marina San Marco

The Joint Stars 2025 represents one of the most significant events in the calendar of the Italian Armed Forces. This national exercise of an interforce and inter-agency nature was planned by the Comando Operativo di Vertice Interforze (COVI) and saw the deployment of the best Defense units, including the Brigata Marina San Marco, in the simulation of operations in complex and high-risk environments. Last week, the Naval Landing Forces launched a crucial amphibious operation, testing the readiness and operational capability of the Marines.

The Start of the Amphibious Operation

Early in the morning, in the flooded basin of Nave San Marco, the landing forces initiated a complex operation to reach and secure the coast of Capo Teulada. The mission was part of a training that involved various forces specialized in amphibious operations, including the 1° Reggimento San Marco and the 1° Firepower Control Team (FCT) of the Compagnia Nuotatori Paracadutisti.

The main objective of the exercise was to test the landing, clearing, and securing capabilities of a sensitive coastal area, ensuring both land and maritime control. Participants faced a series of simulated threats, making the operation particularly challenging. The units were engaged in actions that included infiltration and obstacle elimination to allow the landing of multirole vehicles in JTAC (Joint Terminal Attack Controller) configuration, crucial for coordinating air support attacks.

The Units in Action

The Brigata Marina San Marco, always a symbol of the excellence of Italian landing forces, deployed various resources to complete the operation. The 1° Reggimento San Marco played a crucial role as a maneuver element, particularly suited for operations in complex and difficult environments, such as maritime and terrestrial ones. The Marines of the 1° Reggimento are trained for Rapid Onset Military Operations (ROMO), a specialization that makes them particularly suited for rapid landings and crisis situations.

In parallel, the 2° Reggimento San Marco contributed through naval protection and security operations. Its operators were engaged in Force Protection tasks, a fundamental aspect for the safety of naval units in international missions, where they are often called upon to conduct boarding and inspection operations.

Tactical and Interforce Training

A distinctive aspect of the Joint Stars 2025 was the interforce and inter-agency approach, which saw various Defense units operating in synergy. The land, naval, and air forces had to interact and coordinate in real-time, making the exercise an extremely realistic simulation of the challenges they might face during large-scale missions. The landing units worked alongside air forces, which provided support during the landing, while tactical vehicles were employed for the protection of strategic points.

The exercise took place in different scenarios, including wooded areas and hard-to-reach terrains, where forces simulated reconnaissance and defense operations against hostile forces. This tested the adaptability and ability to operate in extreme contexts, fundamental characteristics for the landing forces of the Brigata Marina San Marco.

The Training and Skills of the Marines

Being a Marine today means undertaking a rigorous training path that combines physical, psychological, and technical preparation. The soldiers of the Brigata San Marco are trained to operate in difficult conditions and dynamic scenarios, where speed of execution and adaptability are essential. During the exercise, the units faced physical and technical challenges, with the aim of maintaining a consistently high level of readiness.

The training path includes advanced skills in close combat, CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) defense, use of advanced weapon systems, and communication operations. Every Marine is called upon to manage high-intensity situations, such as assault or evacuation operations, maintaining high standards of professionalism.

Conclusion: The Value of the Brigata Marina San Marco

The Joint Stars 2025 once again confirmed the excellence of the Brigata Marina San Marco, a unit that represents the beating heart of Italian landing forces. Intensive training and constant preparation allow the Marines to operate anywhere in the world, facing any type of challenge, always ready to ensure national and international security. Successfully concluding the exercise, the Brigade reaffirmed its commitment to continuously improving its operational capabilities, keeping the Italian flag flying high in the most critical and challenging missions.