{"id":16029,"date":"2024-04-25T18:51:39","date_gmt":"2024-04-25T18:51:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brigatafolgore.net\/joint-special-forces-operations-command-c-o-f-s\/"},"modified":"2024-04-25T18:51:39","modified_gmt":"2024-04-25T18:51:39","slug":"joint-special-forces-operations-command-c-o-f-s","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/brigatafolgore.net\/en\/joint-special-forces-operations-command-c-o-f-s\/","title":{"rendered":"Joint Special Forces Operations Command (C.O.F.S.)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Traditionally, until the end of the 20th century, the command and use of the Italian Army special forces<\/strong> were the prerogative of the Folgore Paratroopers Brigade<\/a> through the 9th Assault Regiment 'Col Moschin'<\/a>. Similarly, for the Navy<\/strong>, the use of COMSUBIN<\/strong> did not occur through a proper operational command but directly under the control of the Ministry of Defence<\/strong> via the Defence General Staff (SMD)<\/strong>. The Carabinieri GIS<\/strong>until the end of 2003, was not even validated as a special force.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The advent of the new millennium marked a significant turning point: the creation of new units dedicated to special operations and the need to recognise other entities as such, for example, the Carabinieri GIS, and improve resource optimisation in various theaters of employment, in addition to interoperability, thanks to the specific skills of the four armed forces, contributed to greater specialisation and focus on the future of Italian special forces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Origins and Strategic Purposes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The COFS was initially established with the status of Joint Paratrooper Raiders Unit<\/strong>resulting from a decision by the then Chief of Defence Staff<\/strong>, Adm. Giampaolo Di Paola<\/strong>, stemming from a specific initiative by the then Minister of Defence, Hon. Antonio Martino<\/strong>, providing the Defence with a specific tool for conducting Special Operations<\/strong> and thus completing the restructuring started with the creation of the then COI (now COVI)<\/strong> for the command of conventional operations, aligning Italy with the other main countries of the Atlantic Alliance, for which the Special Forces<\/strong> represent a resource of strategic importance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Officially established on December 1, 2004<\/strong>under the leadership of Paratrooper Raider General (Italian Army) Marco Bertolini<\/strong>, it was already recognised in 2008 as a planning command<\/strong> and in 2021 was validated by NATO as a Deployable Component Command for Special Operations (SOCC)<\/strong> within the NATO Response Force (NRF)<\/strong>. Between 2021 and 2023, the COFS was dependent on the Joint Operational Command (COVI), but since 2023 it has returned under the direct supervision of the Chief of Defence Staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Positioned under the direct command of the Chief of Defence Staff<\/strong>, it is located at the Centocelle Military Airport 'Francesco Baracca'<\/strong> and is tasked with coordinating and managing all operations of the Italian special forces<\/strong>.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
Structure of the C.O.F.S.<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Joint<\/picture>
The COFS coordinates all operations of the special forces belonging to the four Italian Armed Forces<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
As mentioned, the command coordinates all operations of the special forces belonging to the four Armed Forces, specifically:<\/p>\n\n\n\n