Paratroopers Brigade Folgore: General Bernacca Hands Over Command to Paduano

The change of command ceremony for the Paratroopers Brigade “Folgore”, one of the Italian Army's leading units renowned for its operational readiness and deployment flexibility, took place today at the Parachuting Training Center in Pisa.

Brigadier General Federico Bernacca handed over the baton to Colonel Dario Paduano, in the presence of the Commander of the Land Operational Forces (COMFOTER), Corps General Lorenzo D'Addario, and numerous local civil, military, and religious authorities.

The Profile of the New Commander

Colonel Dario Paduano takes over from General Bernacca, bringing with him a solid background of experiences gained both nationally and in international missions. A Paratrooper Officer with a career entirely dedicated to the “Folgore”, Colonel Paduano previously held the important position of Commander of the 187th Paratroopers Regiment “Folgore”, a leading unit stationed in Livorno.

During his tenure at the helm of the 187th Regiment, the unit was intensely engaged in complex operational and training activities. He also boasts significant experience in foreign operational theaters, having served, among others, as Commander of the Italian Task Force (ITALBATT) within the UNIFIL mission in Lebanon.

Colonel Paduano holds a degree in Political Science, having obtained his titles from the University of Turin and the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia.

Summary of a Period of Transformation

General Bernacca leaves the command of the prestigious unit at the end of an intense period, marked by numerous operational and training activities conducted by the "maroon berets" both nationally and internationally.

Under his leadership, the “Folgore” Brigade experienced significant development, focused on enhancing operational capabilities and personnel efficiency. In particular, strong impetus was given to various projects to ensure greater deployment versatility in current complex scenarios.

Among the most significant results, General Bernacca highlighted:

• The launch of the new paratrooper training program.
• The considerable increase in the Brigade's international dimension, with more training exchanges and growth opportunities for personnel.
• A renewed impetus to the specialty's peculiar activity, with the resumption of mass parachute jumps and the increase in air supply activities, deepening studies and experiments on new parachuting procedures to maximize effectiveness and versatility.

Protagonist of the New Technological and Tactical Era

The "Folgore" has proven to be at the center of the Armed Force's modernization process. It has recently been a key element in the experimentation of the Tactical Bubble, equipping units with drones to develop a new culture in the use of technologies on the battlefield.

The unit is also at the center of the process of acquiring specific combat capabilities in complex environments, such as undergrounds and trenches.

As a culmination of the period, the Brigade conceived, organized, and conducted the annual exercise "Mangusta" with a focus that maximized the development of the multi-arm, joint, and multinational dimension.

Immediate Response Tool

The intrinsic characteristics of dynamism, flexibility, and operational readiness confirm the Paratroopers Brigade “Folgore” as one of the tools available to the Army to ensure an immediate and timely response capability in crisis situations.

Its peculiarity in deploying personnel and materials through parachute jumps in operational areas, even those difficult to reach, makes it essential for needs requiring a decisive and swift intervention.