The “Falena I” 2025 exercise, which involved one special operations task group (SOTG) and a special operations task unit (SOTU) in a large exercise area that included Livorno, Gioia del Colle, Torre Veneri, Tor di Nebbia and Brindisi.
The training activity of the 185th Paratrooper Regiment for Reconnaissance and Target Acquisition “Folgore” (RRAO) was oriented to the consolidation of capacity developments in the five domains: land, air, water, cyber and space. In detail, the SOTG command post was deployed in Livorno, while the SOTU was deployed within the airport premises of the 36th Fighter Wing of the Italian Air Force in Gioia del Colle.
The training, aimed at planning and conducting various information gathering missions and kinetic operations in a hybrid war scenario, took place in both urban and rural environments. During the tactical acts, an insertion of the operators took place with a parachute jump, through the Free Fall Technique (TCL), from a NH-90 helicopter of the 3rd Special Operations Helicopter Regiment (REOS) of the Army Aviation (AVES).
An operational detachment conducted the coastal capture, with insertion from the sea, using special boats supplied to the 185th RRAO. In addition, new means of land mobility were used, including electric motorcycles and light off-road vehicles LTATV (Light Tactical All Terrain Vehicle).
The exercise lasted a total of two weeks without interruption, with the use of over 100 men and women who made up both the exercised part and the part supporting the exercise management.
The participation of numerous role players provided maximum realism in the dynamic surveillance activities along the main and secondary arteries of the urban centers involved.
The contribution of men, means and infrastructures from different departments of the Army, the Air Force and the Navy gave the activity its typical connotation. joint of special operations.
In particular, in addition to REOS, the following were involved: the 9th cyber security regiment "Rombo", the Cavalry School of Lecce, the 7th Bersaglieri Regiment and the 21st Engineer Regiment.
The Italian Air Force participated in the exercise with ground personnel, crews and various types of aircraft.
In particular, C-130Js from the 46th Air Brigade of Pisa were used for the transport and tactical deployment of the participating personnel, fighters Euro Fighter of the 36th fighter wing of Gioia del Colle for close air support training activities, as well as Beechcraft assets Super King Air 350ER Spydr of the 14th wing of Pratica di Mare (RM), 5th generation omnirole fighter F-35 and remotely piloted aircraft MQ-9 Predator B of the 32nd Wing of Amendola (FG) for integrated ISR (Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) missions. Furthermore, personnel of the RESTOGE (Electronic Warfare Operational Technical Support Department) and specialized personnel of the 36th Wing supported the activities of the intelligence cell of the SOTG (special operation task group), within which elements of the interforce intelligence center (CII) as analysts.
During the exercise, the Army Chief of Staff, General of the Army Corps Carmine Masiello, and other military and civil authorities visited the military airport of Gioia del Colle. They were welcomed by the commander of the 36th Fighter Wing who, for the occasion, underlined the perfect inter-force and inter-agency synergy of the personnel and assets involved in an operational context that ensures, 24 hours a day, 24 days a year, National Air Defense and the air service. quick reaction alert of NATO.
