The 8th Paratrooper Sapper Engineer Regiment "Folgore" is the only paratrooper sapper unit of the Italian Army.
It includes the special assets of combat engineering, combat support, and protection necessary to contribute to the airborne maneuver of the Paratrooper Brigade "Folgore". It is therefore capable of operating with very short notice, on any type of terrain, in both permissive and non-permissive environments.
Nationally, it constantly operates in support of the population both for clearing the territory of war remnants and other explosive devices, also in cooperation with police forces, and for rescue in case of public disasters.
On June 1, 2001, the 5th Sapper Battalion Bolsena stationed in Legnago (Vr) was reconfigured and assumed the name of 8th Paratrooper Sapper Engineer Battalion Folgore, while on October 31, 2004, the battalion was incorporated into the reconstituted 8th Paratrooper Sapper Engineer Regiment.
Recalling the namesake unit that operated with the Division "Folgore" in North Africa, it was then placed under the command of the Paratrooper Brigade.
The new unit inherits the flag and traditions of the 8th Engineer Regiment, which in turn is the heir of the Corps units that operated with the Folgore Combat Group during the liberation war.
Current Operations and Composition
It is a fundamental support unit for carrying out the combat support function of the Paratrooper Brigade.
It is capable of fulfilling all the tasks of the Engineer Corps (mobility, countermobility, protection, and deployment support) and is characterized by the ability to move and fight with maneuver forces and to react immediately to the operational needs of the supported unit with great flexibility of employment, allowing the transition from one mission to the next without notice, or with short notice (for example, from mobility support to countermobility).
Due to its peculiarity, the unit trains to also perform specific tasks typical of an airborne operation or to contribute to a special operation. Advanced support for air operations is one of the main missions that the regiment can be called upon to perform in the aforementioned context.
This materializes in the construction, preparation, and/or reactivation of landing strips, landing zones, and re-embarkation zones, as well as in the maintenance and repair of equipment and assets useful for the activities of fixed-wing and rotary-wing air forces, within the beachhead conquered and defended by the Airborne Troops. Another activity of prominent interest for the regiment is the execution of demolitions, which can be performed by decentralizing sapper modules down to platoon level.
For the clearance of mined areas/routes, the regiment has special assets (EOD teams) that can also carry out specific actions, related to anti-sabotage actions, thanks to the availability of highly specialized personnel.
During the ISAF mission in Afghanistan, the role of the 8th Regiment was of fundamental importance both for the three basic weapon regiments of the Folgore, the 183rd, 186th, and 187th, and for the FOS operators (185th RAO) and FS (9th RGT Col Moschin).
In Afghanistan, it lost 1st Corporal Major Alessandro Di Lisio, precisely during a support operation for a regiment of the Brigade.
This is the current composition of the regiment:
- Command and logistical support company "ATLANTE"
- 8th Paratrooper Sapper Engineer Battalion "Folgore" composed as follows:
- 21st Paratrooper Sapper Company "GIAGUARI"
- 22nd Paratrooper Sapper Company "ANGELI NERI"
- 23rd Paratrooper Sapper Company "CINGHIALI"
- 24th Paratrooper Sapper Company "TIGRI"
The regiment's motto is "FORWARD IS LIFE".
History
The 8th Engineer Regiment was established on October 20, 1926, by renaming the existing 7th Corps Engineer Regiment based in Rome.
Various reorganizations in its composition mobilized battalions of different specialties for East Africa and subsequently for all fronts of the Second World War. It was dissolved on September 8, 1943, and reconstituted on September 11, 1992, as the 8th Paratrooper Sapper Engineer Regiment in Villa Vicentina (UD) by transforming the 184th Sapper Engineer Battalion "Santerno".
Assigned to the Engineer Command of the 5th Corps, it provided personnel for the "Pellicano" operation.
It was dissolved on November 30, 1995, while on October 13, 2004, the 8th Paratrooper Sapper Engineer Battalion "Folgore", reconstituted on June 1, 2001, by renaming the existing 5th Paratrooper Sapper Engineer Battalion "Bolsena", a unit into which the Paratrooper Sapper Engineer Company "Folgore", already an autonomous unit of the Brigade and later incorporated into the Command and Tactical Support Unit, was elevated to regimental rank.
Honors to the War Flag
The regiment's War Flag is decorated with a Silver Medal for Army Valor, a Bronze Medal for Military Valor, a Bronze Medal for Army Valor, a Silver Cross for Army Merit, and a Knight's Cross of the Military Order of Italy.
Bronze Medal for Military Valor
In clearing roads and minefields, in strengthening positions, in maintaining communications during the hardest hours of battle, Artificers, Telephone Operators, and Radio Operators always shared, in noble competition, the risks of advanced posts and patrols pushed to open the way through the deadly tangle of mines. Often involved in combat when tools were no longer helpful, infantry among infantry, they knew how to emulate their enthusiasm, valor, and tenacity. On every occasion, in the lines and in immediate rear works, the Mixed Engineer Battalion "Folgore" always reaffirmed the noble tradition of industriousness and glory of the Corps.
Valli Santerno, Senio, Sillaro, March-April 1945 - C.Grizzano, April 19, 1945
Bronze Medal for Army Valor
Engaged in rescue operations for the populations of Friuli severely affected by a major earthquake, it promptly exerted itself, with marked courage and singular skill, in the removal of debris, assistance to the injured, and aid to survivors. The generous use of all available men and means contributed significantly to mitigating the consequences of the seismic event.
Friuli, May 6 - 15, 1976 - To the 184th Pioneer Engineer Battalion "Santerno"
Silver Medal for Army Valor
On the occasion of the violent earthquake that severely struck central Italy, the 8th Engineer Regiment, worthy interpreter of the noblest military traditions, exerted itself, with generous enthusiasm and deep commitment, in immediate interventions to support the severely affected populations, providing yet another proof of sacrifice, dedication, and unconditional devotion. The exceptional skill, marked professionalism, and profound humanity shown by the paratrooper sappers allowed the Unit to distinguish itself for effectiveness and courage, significantly contributing to enhancing the Army's prestige and honor in the eyes of the entire national community.
Central Italy, August 2016 – April 2017 - to the 8th Paratrooper Sapper Engineer Regiment "Folgore"
Silver Cross for Army Merit
Prestigious regiment, intervening promptly in the initial and most acute phase of a serious epidemiological emergency, managed to guarantee decisive assistance to the population, exerting itself with the highest sense of duty in support of the commissarial structure and civil authorities. A clear example of iron determination, extraordinary efficiency, and sincere altruism, it provided for the creation, in very short times, of control posts and mobile vaccination centers. Animated by exceptional spirit of dedication, it carried out, with solemn respect, the transport of the coffins of deceased citizens.
Northern Italy, February 2020 - November 2021
Knight's Cross of the Military Order of Italy
Glorious regiment, a combination of technical and military capabilities, protagonist of the heroic events of the Engineer Corps, has been active in multiple and risky operational theaters. The sappers of the 8th have exerted themselves, in every circumstance, with intrepid courage and indomitable valor, ensuring the protection, mobility, and freedom of action of forces on the ground, through the restoration of viability and the clearance of areas and routes from mines and lethal improvised devices. The men and women of the unit, supported by noble ideals, have written memorable pages of silent dedication in the history of the unit, contributing to enhancing the prestige and honor of Italy and its Armed Forces on the international stage.
Afghanistan, Lebanon, Iraq, Niger, Libya, Central African Republic, 2004 - 2022
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