Firsta “Ariete” armored brigade of the Italian Army has today completed eighty-three years of history. The anniversary was commemorated this morning at the "Mittica" barracks in Pordenone, headquarters of the large unit, during the flag raising ceremony which took place in a reduced form due to the current epidemiological situation and in which the representatives of the National Association of Carristi d'Italia and the Blue Ribbon Institute.
The deputy commander of theRam, Colonel Pierluigi Lodola, after reading the agenda of the brigade commander, General Roberto Banci, in his speech underlined the significance of today's anniversary, inviting us to preserve the cult of history and to enhance the traditions of the past. A moving thought was therefore addressed to the Fallen and to those soldiers who, over the years, have been wounded in order to fulfill their duty and keep faith in the sacred Oath to Italy.
Established as a division in Milan on 1 February 1939, theRam she was the protagonist in the events of the Second World War, distinguishing herself for her valor and tenacity in numerous war episodes, such as the conquest of Tobruk and the second battle of El Alamein. The valiant behavior held during the long operational cycle in North Africa, from February 1941 to November 1942, meant that theRam was the unit of the Italian Army with the highest number of citations in the war bulletins of the supreme command. After the almost total annihilation, the division was reconstituted on 1 April 1943 and was particularly distinguished in the defense of Rome from the Nazi-fascist troops.
Since 1949 the command of theRam is in Pordenone, becoming one of the most significant examples of a happy union between the local community and the military community. Since the end of the Second World War, theRam it has undergone various reconfigurations, up to the current brigade level, employed by the Northern Operation Force Command, having, today, seven regiments and a command department located mainly in the Friuli area, and has been involved in operations, both abroad and in the national territory.
Firmly linked to the local territory and close to the population, Aries has always contributed to rescue and reconstruction operations on the occasion of natural disasters. From Vajont, in 1963, to the recent floods that affected the Po Valley, from the 1976 earthquake in Friuli to the 2016 seismic events in central Italy and up to the current health and logistical support provided for the emergency caused by COVID-19 ; numerous interventions were made by the soldiers of the brigade, who have always guaranteed their contribution to the country with professionalism and dedication.
Equally significant is the participation of its units in operations, in collaboration with the police, for security on the national territory. In particular, “l'Ariete” continues to operate in the “Strade Sicure” operation with its own units employed in various areas of Italy.
