Units deployed in Somalia

Operation IBIS in Somalia was undoubtedly the largest Italian military logistical effort since the Second World War. All three armed forces of the time were deployed simultaneously, with men and means:  Italian Army, Marina and Air Force.

Named ITALFOR-IBIS, the Italian contingent was focused on the Folgore Parachute Brigade. As of 4 May 1993, multinational mission Restore Hope assumed the character of a UN mission and the deployed forces were placed under the operational control of UNOSOM I Command. The 6 September 1993, the Folgore Parachute Brigade was replaced by the Legnano Mechanised Brigade. The 16 January 1994 the retreat of our Contingent began, with the gradual handover of areas of responsibility.

The operation ended on 21 March 1994.

 Italian Army

Folgore Parachute Brigade

• BRIGADE COMMAND
• COMMAND AND TACTICAL SUPPORT DEPARTMENT
• 183RD PARACHUTE REGIMENT 'NEMBO'
• 186TH PARACHUTE REGIMENT "FOLGORE"
• 187TH PARACHUTE REGIMENT "FOLGORE"
• 185TH PARACHUTE ARTILLERY REGIMENT "FOLGORE"
• 9TH PARACHUTE ASSAULT BATTALION "COL MOSCHIN"
• 1ST CARABINIERI PARACHUTE BATTALION 'TUSCANIA
• LOGISTICS BATTALION 'FOLGORE'
• PARATROOPER ENGINEER COMPANY

132nd Armoured Brigade Ariete

•    A COMPANY OF THE 132ND TANK REGIMENT
•    32ND TANK REGIMENT

Legnano Mechanised Brigade

•    BRIGADE COMMAND
•    COMMAND AND TACTICAL SUPPORT DEPARTMENT
•    2ND BERSAGLIERI REGIMENT
•    3RD BERSAGLIERI REGIMENT
•    28TH BATTALION 'OSLAVIA'
•    LOGISTICS BATTALION
•    TWO COMPANIES OF THE 67TH ARMOURED REGIMENT
•    GENIUS COMPANY
•    HEALTH DEPARTMENT
•    HELICOPTER SURGICAL CORE

Friuli Mechanised Brigade

• 78TH MECHANISED TUSCAN WOLVES REGIMENT  
• 6TH BERSAGLIERI REGIMENT

Brigata Meccanizzata Granatieri di Sardegna

•    2ND 'GRENADIERS OF SARDINIA' REGIMENT
•    COMPANY OF THE 1ST 'GRENADIERS OF SARDINIA' REGIMENT
•    8TH REGIMENT 'LANCERS OF MONTEBELLO' SQUADRON

Bersaglieri Garibaldi Brigade

•    19TH CAVALRY REGIMENT GUIDE SQUADRON

Pozzuolo del Friuli Cavalry Brigade

•    5TH REGIMENT 'LANCIERI DI NOVARA' SQUADRON

Army Aviation

•   HELICOPTER SQUADRON GROUP
•   1ST AV.REGIMENT "ANTARES

Other Army units

•    PLATOONS OF THE 11TH "LIONESS" TRANSMISSION REGIMENT
•    7TH TRANSPORT BATTALION 'M. AMIATA' COMPANY
•    CONTINGENCY LOGISTICS DEPARTMENT (RELOCO)
•    FLORENCE LANCERS CAVALRY REGIMENT SQUADRON

Italian Red Cross

•    VOLUNTEER NURSES OF THE ITALIAN RED CROSS

Navy 

•    BATTALION SAN MARCO
•    GARIBALDI AIRCRAFT CARRIER CRUISER
•    HELICOPTER CRUISER VITTORIO VENETO
•    SIROCCO HELICOPTER FRIGATE
•    GRECALE HELICOPTER FRIGATE
•    AMPHIBIOUS LANDING SHIP SAN GIORGIO
•    AMPHIBIOUS LANDING SHIP SAN MARCO
•    SUPPLY SHIP VESUVIUS
•    SUPPLY SHIP 'STROMBOLI'

Air Force

•    AIRCRAFT OF THE 46TH AIRBORNE BRIGADE
•    15TH WING HELICOPTERS