Krakow: the 186th Folgore in Training with 12 Nations

From May 11 to 16, 2025, an important international workshop took place at the Land Forces Training Center in Lipa, Poland, organized by the 6th Airborne Brigade “Powietrznodesantowa” of Krakow, one of the elite units of the Polish Armed Forces. The initiative saw the participation of a mixed Italian team composed of personnel from the 186th Paratroopers Regiment “Folgore” and the Infantry School of Cesano.

Training Objective

The training, aimed at exchanging operational experiences and developing tactical skills in combat scenarios, focused primarily on trench warfare and combat in urban environments. Specifically, the workshop covered:

• Trench Warfare: training aimed at perfecting techniques and strategies for trench combat, using real scenarios to simulate low-intensity battle situations.
• Urban Operations: training in urban contexts, where combat dynamics require the use of specialized techniques for operations in high-density environments.

Training Methods

The workshop followed the "Train the Trainers" formula, where about 80 military personnel, including Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, and highly qualified Graduates, worked together to refine their training and instructional skills. Participants had the opportunity to engage with the traditions and operational techniques of the Polish 6th Airborne Brigade, as well as the technical-tactical procedures (TTPs) of other armed forces.

Live-fire exercises involved both trench and urban combat, taking place both day and night to simulate realistic combat conditions. The Italian personnel were able to enhance their skills in high-pressure scenarios, interacting with units from 11 nations: Great Britain, Netherlands, United States (two teams), Czech Republic, Germany, Singapore, Belgium, Romania, and Poland.

Importance of International Cooperation

This type of activity is crucial for developing the ability to conduct integrated, rapid, and highly effective operations, in line with the concept of "full spectrum operations." The participation of the 186th Paratroopers Regiment “Folgore” and the Infantry School of Cesano confirms the importance of international collaborations, promoting the strengthening of operational capabilities and maximum multinational integration.

In an increasingly dynamic and complex global context, initiatives like the "Train the Trainers" workshop not only improve individual capabilities but also contribute to building a solid network of alliances among the armed forces of the participating countries.