Vincenzo Aiello, 185th RGT Par. RAO 'Folgore' soldier found dead

In the night between 22 and 23 October 2024, fire brigade divers recovered the body of Sergeant Major Adjutant Vincenzo Aiello, 45, originally from Catanzaro, a trainee belonging to the 185th Parachute Regiment Reconnaissance Objective Acquisition Folgore (RRAO). L’operatore delle forze speciali era disperso dalle ore pomeridiane di martedì 22 ottobre, durante un’esercitazione militare nelle acque del lago di Bolsena.

Aiello, who has been stationed in Livorno for over 20 years, was participating in a joint exercise with the 3° Reggimento elicotteri per operazioni speciali “Aldebaran” (REOS). During the training, the soldiers were dropped from a helicopter at low altitude into the lake waters with the aim of reaching a rescue boat. However, during the operation, Aiello did not resurface as planned, and the alarm was immediately triggered. The search operation then began, involving the specialised units of the fire brigade and the police. After hours of frantic searching, the soldier's body was found at a depth of about 24 metres, in the area used for training operations in the municipality of Capodimonte (VT).

The body was then recovered and handed over to the Carabinieri's investigative unit for further investigation.

The death of Vincenzo Aiello has deeply shaken the entire military community. The Army Chief of Staff, Army General Carmine Masiello, expressed his condolences in these words: "I mourn the passing of Sergeant Major Adjutant Vincenzo Aiello, who died during an exercise in Lake Bolsena. The whole Army family sends its condolences to his loved ones at this time of great sorrow"..

Defence Minister Guido Crosetto also wished to express his closeness to Aiello's family and fellow soldiers, stating: "It is with immense sorrow that I express my deepest condolences to the family and colleagues of Sergeant Major Adjutant Vincenzo Aiello, who tragically passed away during a training activity. The entire Defence Force ideally embraces Vincenzo's family and loved ones"..

The passing of Staff Sergeant Aiello is a painful loss for the Italian Army and the paratroopers and special forces community. His commitment, like that of all military personnel who undergo exercises every day to be ready to defend the country, remains an example of sacrifice and dedication.

In these hours of mourning, we embrace the family, colleagues and friends of Vincenzo, a soldier who gave everything, right up to the end, in the performance of his duty.