Vincenzo Aiello, Acquirer of the 185th RGT Par. RAO "Folgore", Found Dead

On the night between October 22 and 23, 2024, the fire department divers recovered the body of Sergeant Major Vincenzo Aiello, 45 years old, originally from Catanzaro, an acquirer belonging to the 185th Paratroopers Reconnaissance Target Acquisition Regiment Folgore (RRAO). The special forces operator had been missing since the afternoon of Tuesday, October 22, during a military exercise in the waters of Lake Bolsena.

Aiello, stationed in Livorno for over 20 years, was participating in a joint exercise with the 3rd Special Operations Helicopter Regiment "Aldebaran" (REOS). During the training, the soldiers were dropped from a low-altitude helicopter into the lake's waters with the goal of reaching a recovery boat. However, during the operation, Aiello did not resurface as expected, and the alarm was raised immediately. Thus began the search operation involving specialized units of the fire department and law enforcement. After hours of frantic searching, the soldier's body was located about 24 meters deep in the area used for training operations in the municipality of Capodimonte (VT).

The body was then recovered and entrusted to the investigative unit of the Carabinieri for further investigations.

The disappearance of Vincenzo Aiello deeply shook the entire military community. The Chief of Staff of the Army, General of the Army Corps Carmine Masiello, expressed his condolences with these words: “I mourn the loss of Sergeant Major Vincenzo Aiello, who passed away during an exercise in Lake Bolsena. The entire Army family stands by his loved ones in this moment of great sorrow”.

The Minister of Defense, Guido Crosetto, also wanted to express his closeness to Aiello's family and comrades, stating: “It is with immense sorrow that I express the deepest condolences to the family and colleagues of Sergeant Major Vincenzo Aiello, tragically lost during a training activity. The entire Defense stands ideally with Vincenzo's family and closest loved ones”.

The loss of Sergeant Major Aiello is a painful loss for the Italian Army and the community of paratroopers and special forces. His commitment, like that of all soldiers who undergo exercises every day to be ready to defend the country, remains an example of sacrifice and dedication.

In these hours of mourning, we stand by the family, colleagues, and friends of Vincenzo, a soldier who gave everything, until the end, in the fulfillment of his duty.