Kangaroo 01/25: the Acqui Division in Warfighting

Capo Teulada (Sardinia), March 2025 – Under the leadership of Major General Maurizio Fronda, former commander of the 185th Reconnaissance Target Acquisition Regiment "Folgore" (RRAO), the "Acqui" Division is conducting an intensive training phase at the Capo Teulada range, aimed at testing and consolidating the ability to plan and conduct high-intensity operations in warfighting contexts.

General Fronda, commander of the "Acqui" Division, is accelerating the operational evolution of the unit, projecting it towards the most advanced NATO standards. Resilience, innovation, and realism are the distinctive features of this training full immersion, which includes the deployment of the Divisional Command Post with the support of the 57th Command and Tactical Support Unit “Abruzzi” and the 232nd Signal Regiment.

A Dynamic and Flexible Command Post

As part of the activities, the "Acqui" has adopted a streamlined and dynamic configuration of its Command Post, divided into two main elements: the MAIN, the operational planning center, and the FORWARD, an advanced post responsible for managing current operations. The latter is structured on two CuOPS, operating on VCC M577 platforms and variable geometry shelters, allowing for rapid and alternate deployment on the battlefield.

A choice that demonstrates the Division's ability, under Gen. Fronda's direction, to best interpret the needs of the modern battlefield, responding to the readiness and flexibility demands typical of high-intensity operations.

Experience and Innovation at the Service of the Alliance

The ongoing activities at Capo Teulada follow the experience gained during the “Kangaroo 24” exercise and are fully aligned with the warfighting scenario already employed in the “Avenger Triad”, a series of exercises conducted together with NATO's Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC).

In this simulation, the "Acqui" Division, under the NATO Corps, coordinated the maneuver of the “Garibaldi”, “Pinerolo”, and “Aosta” Brigades, conducting a Forward Passage of Lines (FPOL) in synergy with the 12th Polish Infantry Division, a prelude to a subsequent offensive action. The adherence and efficiency of the command and control systems ensured effective management of allied units, thanks to a Common Operational Picture constantly updated in real-time.

Resilience and Realism in Modern Warfighting

The training cycle in Sardinia is characterized by significant new elements: the deployment of the MAIN in “Buildings of Opportunity”, the implementation of a rigorous Battle Rhythm, and the deployment of CuOPS even in low visibility conditions.

Thanks to this approach, strongly desired by Gen. Fronda, the "Acqui" Division has further increased the realism of the training, preparing to face the complex scenarios of real deployment within NATO's multinational operations. A commitment that confirms the “Acqui” as a fundamental piece in the operational chessboard of the Italian Army and the Atlantic Alliance, capable of combining tradition and innovation to face the challenges of contemporary warfighting.