The “Imbascamento” ceremony for the newly qualified Commandos of the 17th Wing took place on January 25th at the Furbara military airport.
The Furbara military airport, home to 1st Special Operations Air Brigade and 17th Attack Wing, hosted, on January 25th, the ceremony of “Swamp”of the attendees who successfully completed the 7th Basic Air Force Commando Course (BIAM).
The event, which was held in compliance with the COVID-19 pandemic prevention regulations, was attended by the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Air Squad General Luca Goretti, the Commander of the Joint Special Operations Command, Admiral Paolo Pezzutti, the Commander of the 1st Special Operations Air Brigade, Brigadier General Riccardo Rinaldi and military and civil authorities, including the mayors of Ladispoli and Cerveteri, to represent the close synergy between the unit and the territory.
During the ceremony it was given to each new recruit the “sand” coloured beret”, a symbol of tradition and historical heritage of the Arditi Distruttori Battalion of the Royal Air ForceADRA), the first special forces unit formed in 1942 within the Air Force and distinguished during the Second World War. In addition to the beret, the colour of which recalls the main theatre in which the ADRA operated, that of North Africa, the “commando dagger“, indicating the achievement of operational readiness, and the Certificate, which represents entry into the operational world of Special Operations (COMOS). The latter depicts a parachute, symbolising the 17th Wing's air-droppable capability, with a globe on its canopy, signifying that special forces can be deployed anywhere in the world. The dagger represents a combat unit, and finally, the eagle's wings, highlighting the Incursors' belonging to the Air Force.
It Commander of the 17th Wing, Colonel Andrea Esposito highlighted how the Special Forces constitute a unit of Elite a highly specialised branch of the Armed Forces, whose rigorous training is fundamental to being prepared for the challenges of an ever-evolving global scenario.
It General Goretti, During his speech, he expressed gratitude to the Special Operations Compartment, which, albeit in total confidentiality, operates bringing prestige to the Air Force.
The 17th Attack Wing Its task is to select, train and equip future Special Forces operators (Incursors) and STOS operators, to respond to the current international context which requires the development of effective and timely prevention and intervention capabilities, also at long distances, in Cross-border Operations (OFCN) The objective of the 17th Wing is to enable Commandos to acquire the capability to carry out missions such as: Special Reconnaissance Special Reconnaissance, Direct Action (Direct Action), Military Assistance Military Assistance, Hostage Rescue Operations (HRO) e Counter Terrorism Operations (Hostage Rescue and Counter-Terrorism Operations), Strategic Reconnaissance (Strategic Reconnaissance). STOS Operators are required, in addition to direct tactical support for Special Forces operations, to also conduct operations Personal Recovery in semi-permissive contexts.
