The Swift Response 2015 exercise ended yesterday: an important test of the level of interoperability achieved by the paratroopers of 11 countries, as well as the concrete confirmation of the ability of the Italian Defense to operate, even at a considerable distance from the motherland, for the conduct of operations aimed at the so-called Theater Security Cooperation.
The activity was carried out simultaneously in four European countries (Italy, Germany, Romania and Bulgaria) and involved about 5.000 soldiers, 2.500 of whom were hitched during the various phases of the maneuver. The Folgore Brigade participated with different structures at various levels. A Battalion / Tactical Group of the 183rd Nembo Paratrooper Regiment employed by an American company and a British one who led the isolation of a village in order to neutralize the insisting pockets of insurgency in the area.
A company of the 186th Paratroopers Regiment framed in the 503th Battalion of the 173rd American Airborne Brigade, which had the task of securing the airport and conducting a helium assault using UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters. Finally, a platoon of the 187th Paratroopers Regiment employed by the 82nd American Airborne Division, which following a launch, conducted a raid against specific targets. A total of 300 Italian paratroopers entered at the various command levels.
The three distinct activities were carried out under the leadership of the commander of the Parachute Brigade Folgore, Brigadier General Giovanni Maria Iannucci who served as deputy commander of the operations of the XVIII American Army Corps. The SR15 has proven to be a very valuable training activity, a unique opportunity of its kind and a realistic verification of the ability to operate effectively together with the parachute units of the main Alliance countries.
