The activity is part of the bilateral cooperation plan between Italy and Egypt, for an exchange of experiences in the Special Forces sector.
The Egyptian delegation, consisting of Colonel Hesham Zaki Abdel Aal Akl and Lieutenant Colonel Ayaman Ahmed Mohamed El Kabir, and accompanied by an Officer from the Joint Special Operations Command (COFS), was welcomed upon arrival by the Commander of the 17th Raiders Wing, Colonel Riccardo Rinaldi.
After delivering the welcome address and presenting the briefing on the Wing, Commander Rinaldi accompanied the guests on a tour of the Unit's operational and training divisions, the EOR/EOD (Explosive Ordnance Reconnaissance/Explosive Ordnance Disposal) Section, the Training Group, and the Operational Group. The delegation also observed a live-fire training session for the assault personnel at the firing range, where some of the deployed weaponry was tested and certain characteristics of the Wing were explained, which greatly impressed the guests.
At the end of the visit, the delegation returned to the COFS, which manages and coordinates the operations of the Italian Special Forces. The 17th Raiders Wing is hierarchically dependent on the 1st Air Brigade “Special Operations” and, from an operational point of view, on the COFS, which operates under the direct authority of the Chief of Defence Staff.
The Wing inherited the motto of the former 17th I.T. (Guided Interceptors) Wing of Padua, “The spirit is sufficient”(brazen enough), which pairs well with the characteristics of an intruder.
The Operational Group personnel are engaged in all those activities that characterise the Italian Special Forces, maintaining their nature as a strategic force multiplier of national air power, in a significantly changed international operational context marked by “asymmetric” threats. This environment requires highly specialised and trained personnel capable of responding promptly to the most diverse operational needs.
