AT THE 187TH PARACHUTISTS FOLGORE: COLONEL PINTO HANDS OVER TO COLONEL BUFI

LIVORNO – This morning, at the “Vannucci” Barracks, the handover ceremony took place at the command of the 187th Parachutist Regiment “Folgore”, in the presence of the Commander of the Parachutist Brigade “Folgore”, Brigadier General Federico Bernacca, and the civil and military authorities of the area. During the solemn ceremony, Colonel Vincenzo Pinto officially handed over command to Colonel Girolamo Bufi, thus marking the traditional moment of continuity and renewal within the emblematic unit of the Italian Army's parachutist specialty.

The handover and the salute to the War Flag

The handover, marked by traditional ceremonial moments and the salute to the Regiment's War Flag, represented a moment of strong emotional intensity for the 187th parachutists, who honored their outgoing Commander with discipline and pride.

Colonel Pinto, in his farewell speech, thanked the men and women of the Regiment for their dedication and professionalism demonstrated in every circumstance, emphasizing how “every achievement is the result of team spirit and the daily sacrifice of those who wear the maroon beret with honor.”

Colonel Bufi, in his inaugural speech, expressed gratitude for the trust placed in him, assuring his commitment to continue in the path traced by his predecessors and to maintain the high level of readiness and training that has always distinguished the 187th “Folgore.”

Two years of intense operational and training activity

During Colonel Pinto's command, the 187th Parachutist Regiment “Folgore” participated in numerous operational and training activities, both nationally and abroad.

Among the main international missions and exercises are the Swift Response, conducted in Germany, Slovenia, and Lithuania at the Tactical Group level; participation in the Sniper Fest in Lithuania with a team of snipers; and a complex combat survival activity in a desert environment held in Spain.

Parachuting activities were not lacking in Germany and Lithuania, during the “jump weeks” with the freefall technique, which consolidated the operational capabilities and cohesion of the units.

On the national level, the 187th parachutists carried out intense training cycles at the shooting ranges and Tactical Training Centers (CAT) in Brunico and Monte Romano, in addition to the important mass jump qualification with double door in collaboration with the 46th Air Brigade of Pisa.

Of particular note, the conduct of the multinational exercise “Amaranth Beret”, which saw the Regiment operate as the lead unit alongside airborne units of the 173rd Airborne Brigade of the United States, strengthening cooperation and interoperability among allied forces.

The role of the 187th “Folgore”

The 187th Parachutist Regiment “Folgore” represents one of the spearheads of the Parachutist Brigade “Folgore”, an elite unit of the Italian Army based in Livorno.

The Regiment constitutes one of the most flexible and rapidly deployable tools of the Italian Defense, capable of intervening in reduced times in crisis scenarios, operating effectively in all operational contexts, both national and international.

With the change of command, the 187th “Folgore” renews its commitment to serving the country, keeping alive the traditions and values that have always distinguished the Italian parachutists: courage, loyalty, and spirit of sacrifice.