Paratroopers and Joint Forcible Entry: The BOA-2 2025 Exercise

The "BOA-2" exercise concluded recently at the Monte Romano (VT) range, an important training activity involving the "Savoia Cavalleria" (3rd) regiment and the 185th Paratrooper Artillery Regiment. The exercise simulated a Joint Forcible Entry Operation (JFEO, Joint Forcible Entry Operation), a maneuver concept that combines air, land, and support forces to enable infiltration into hostile territory.

The "BOA-2" training cycle focused on high-intensity and low-permissiveness scenarios, testing the Italian armed forces' ability to operate in an integrated and responsive manner. The activities aimed at acquiring and maintaining technical-tactical procedures, particularly in the context of paratrooper cavalry, a sector in which Italy boasts a long tradition of excellence.

The Dynamics of the Joint Forcible Entry Operation (JFEO)

A JFEO is one of the most complex operations in the military field, requiring detailed planning and close cooperation among the various forces involved. It unfolds in several phases, including the projection of air and land forces, territory control, and the expansion of the "airhead". The "BOA-2" exercise allowed for the simulation of all these phases, employing a Tactical Command Post (TACP) of a Tactical Group. Initially operating in "dismounted" mode (on foot), the TACP later adopted a "mounted" mode with the introduction of combat vehicles.

The core of the operation was the infiltration of a paratrooper reconnaissance detachment of "Savoia Cavalleria" supported by a Joint Fire Support Team (JFST). The objective was to ensure access to a hostile area, thus allowing the subsequent deployment of air and land forces. The operational phases, which also included an airdrop from rotary-wing aircraft, were conducted with extreme precision, demonstrating the effectiveness of cooperation among the various components of the Italian armed forces.

The Importance of Logistic Preparation and Medical Support

A fundamental aspect of JFEO operations is logistics and medical support. "BOA-2" tested the forces' maintenance and resupply capabilities, including the resupply of ammunition, fuel, and essential materials (Class I, III, V), as well as the recovery of damaged combat vehicles. Additionally, medical support was effectively managed, with the establishment of a ROLE 1 and the rapid evacuation of casualties.

In a high-intensity operational context like the one simulated during "BOA-2", logistic readiness and medical response capability are essential to ensure the overall effectiveness of the maneuver. The involvement of a doctor from the Florence garrison infirmary, integrated into the "Savoia Cavalleria" team, helped strengthen the emergency response capability.

Lessons Learned from the Russian VDV Experience

The difficulties and mistakes of the Russian Airborne Forces (VDV) during the 2022 invasion of Ukraine provide crucial lessons for JFEO planning. The lack of strategic surprises, ineffective airspace management, and the inability to integrate support forces like artillery and mortars highlighted the need for careful management of preparation and synchronization among the different forces involved in a JFEO.

In particular, the ability to maintain control of the electromagnetic space and secure communications is vital. The VDV failed to neutralize enemy air defenses, leaving their forces vulnerable. Proper information and communication management is therefore crucial for the success of a JFEO.

Conclusions

The "BOA-2" exercise represented an important opportunity to refine the capabilities of the Italian armed forces in the context of JFEO operations. Technical preparation, coordination among different components of the armed forces, and logistic and medical support were key elements in ensuring the operation's effectiveness. As demonstrated by the VDV experience, failure to adhere to the fundamental principles of a JFEO can severely compromise the outcome of a large-scale operation. The "BOA-2" exercise thus laid the groundwork for future joint operations, strengthening rapid response capability and power projection on a global scale.

The result of this training contributes to strengthening the ability of the "Folgore" Paratrooper Brigade and its specialized units, confirming the importance of continuous preparation in complex and changing operational scenarios. Through exercises like this, Italy prepares to face future challenges, maintaining high operational readiness and efficiency in forcible entry operations and subsequent consolidation.