New Raiders for the Italian Air Force: at Furbara the brevet of the 10th BIAM course

At the military airport of Furbara, home of the 17th Raiders Wing of the Italian Air Force, the ceremony of the 10th Italian Air Force Raiders Brevet Course (BIAM) took place on March 9. The event marked the official entry of the new operators into the Special Forces of the Blue Army, an elite component operating under the 1st Air Brigade for Special Operations.

The ceremony was attended by the highest military authorities of the Italian Defense. It was presided over by the Chief of Defense Staff, General Luciano Portolano, alongside the Chief of Staff of the Italian Air Force, Air Squadron General Antonio Conserva, the Commander of the Joint Special Operations Command, Admiral Paolo Pezzutti, the Commander of the Air Squadron Command and the 1st Air Region, Air Squadron General Silvano Frigerio, and the Commander of the 1st Air Brigade for Special Operations, Air Brigade General Diego Sismondini. Also present were institutional representatives from the area, including the administrations of the municipalities of Cerveteri and Ladispoli.

The three attendees who successfully completed the rigorous training course lasting about two years received the raider brevet, the sand-colored beret, and the traditional ardito dagger, symbols that mark their entry into the Special Operations sector.

These insignia represent not only the achievement of a professional milestone but also belonging to a military tradition of great value. The beret and dagger recall the memory of the Arditi Distruttori della Regia Aeronautica (ADRA), established in 1942 and considered the precursors of the modern Italian Air Force Special Forces.

The strategic value of the Special Forces

In his speech, General Luciano Portolano highlighted the central role of the Special Forces in the national military instrument. Addressing the new raiders, he reminded them how their training and preparation make them ready to face complex missions in articulated and ever-evolving operational contexts.

The Special Forces indeed represent a highly qualified component of the country's defense capabilities. Thanks to rigorous training and multidisciplinary preparation, the raiders are called to operate with speed, precision, and professionalism in situations requiring high competence and team spirit.

During the ceremony, General Portolano also awarded a Bronze Medal for Aeronautical Valor to an operator of the unit distinguished in operational activity, a recognition that testifies to the commitment and dedication of the Italian Air Force personnel.

Among the most significant achievements recently accomplished by the unit was also the accreditation of the Combat Controller Skill Level 1, along with the official recognition by the United States Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). An achievement that confirms the level of excellence reached by the 17th Raiders Wing and the full integration of Italian capabilities in the context of international cooperation among Special Forces.

In his speech, Air Squadron General Antonio Conserva emphasized how the ceremony represents a solemn and significant moment for the Armed Force. With this symbolic gesture, the Italian Air Force recognizes in the new operators the technical preparation, professional maturity, and moral values necessary to become part of one of the most qualified components of the national aerospace instrument.

Training, tradition, and operational capabilities

The ceremony opened with a welcome address by the Commander of the 17th Raiders Wing, Colonel Michele Anelli, who reminded the new raiders of the long and challenging training path faced during the BIAM course.

Colonel Anelli emphasized how the two years of training allowed the trainees to develop not only solid operational capabilities but also an awareness of the value of teamwork and cohesion among operators, fundamental elements to successfully tackle the missions entrusted to the Special Forces.

At the end of the ceremony, the authorities and guests were able to attend a historical reenactment dedicated to the Arditi Distruttori della Regia Aeronautica, made possible thanks to the collaboration of associations committed to the valorization of the historical memory of the Armed Forces.

Particularly appreciated was the operational display organized in an adjacent training area, during which a hostage rescue operation in a hostile environment was simulated. The activity highlighted the high level of integration between the different components of the Armed Force.

The simulation involved the use of remotely piloted aircraft, Eurofighter jets for reconnaissance and neutralization of air defenses, and HH-101A helicopters of the 9th Wing for the infiltration and exfiltration of operators on the ground.

The demonstration concluded with a parachute jump of raider personnel and the in-flight deployment of the flags of the 17th Wing, the Italian Air Force, and the Italian Republic, a symbolic moment that sealed the ceremony.

The 17th Raiders Wing today represents one of the most qualified expressions of the professionalism of the Italian Armed Forces. The unit is tasked with selecting, training, and equipping highly specialized personnel destined to operate in missions such as special reconnaissance, direct action, military assistance, and hostage rescue, contributing to national security and stability in international operational contexts.

The ceremony of the new raiders testifies to the continuity of a tradition of professionalism, dedication, and service to the country that has always distinguished the Italian Armed Forces.