Operational Structure of the Italian Army

The following list gives an overview of the entire chain of command and organization of the Italian Army for the year 2009 and includes all units currently active.

Italian Army Command structure
The Armed Forces of Italy are under the command of the Italian Supreme Defense Council, presided over by the President of the Italian Republic. The Italian Army is commanded by the SME or "Stato Maggiore dell’Esercito" (Chief of the Army General Staff) in Rome. The Chief of staff has direct control of all support and logistics operations in Italy (i.e. military clinics, repair facilities, acquisitions,…), but no direct control of the operational forces, which are all assigned to and commanded by COMFOTER: "Comando delle Forze Operative Terrestri" (Command of Operational Land Forces).

COMFOTER
COMFOTER has direct command on a NATO rapid reaction Corps Command (NRDC-IT), of four support brigades (Artillery, Air Defense, Logistics, Engineering), as well as command of the Army Aviation, the Army Communication and Transmission command and of three commands called COMFOD 1, COMFOD 2 and COMALP, which between them command the actual 11 Italian combat Brigades. The attached units are in detail:

NRDC-IT
The NRDC or "NATO Rapid Deployable Corps" is located in Solbiate Olona and has a support brigade at its dependency, formed by:


 * CoA mil ITA brg NRDC IT.png NRDC-IT Support Brigade in Solbiate Olona (Lombardy)
 * CoA mil ITA rgt trasmissioni 01.png 1st Signal Regiment in Milan (Lombardy)
 * CoA mil ITA btg logistico centauro.png 1st Transport Regiment in Bellinzago Novarese (Lombardy)
 * CoA mil ITA rgt logistico 33.png (33rd) Logistic Support Regiment in Solbiate Olona (Lombardy)

Army Special Forces Command
The Army Special Forces Command in Pisa commands all Special Operation Forces of the Army:


 * CoA mil ITA rgt alpini 004.png 4th Alpini Parachutist Regiment "Btg Monte Cervino" in Verona (Verona)
 * CoA mil ITA rgt paracadutisti 009.png 9th Parachutist Assault Regiment "Col Moschin" in Livorno (Tuscany)
 * CoA mil ITA rgt fanteria 028.png 28th Psychological Warfare Regiment "Pavia" in Pesaro (Marche)
 * CoA mil ITA btg paracadutisti 03.png 185th Parachutist Reconnaissance Regiment "Folgore" in Livorno (Tuscany)
 * 26th Army Aviation Squadron in Viterbo (Lazio)

Folgore Parachute Brigade
The Folgore Parachute Brigade is the armys rapid reaction force and therefore directly under COMFOTER:


 * CoA of the Folgore Brigade.svg Folgore Parachute Brigade in Livorno (Tuscany)
 * CoA mil ITA btg logistico folgore.png "Folgore" Combat Service Support Battalion in Livorno
 * CoA mil ITA rgt cavalleria 03.png 3rd Cavalry Regiment "Savoia Cavalleria" in Grosseto (Tuscany) with Centauro and Puma 4x4
 * CoA mil ITA rgt paracadutisti 183.png 183rd Parachutist Regiment "Nembo" in Pistoia (Tuscany)
 * CoA mil ITA rgt paracadutisti 186.png 186th Parachutist Regiment "Folgore" in Siena (Tuscany)
 * CoA mil ITA rgt paracadutisti 187.png 187th Parachutist Regiment "Folgore" in Livorno (Tuscany)
 * CoA mil ITA rgt artiglieria 185.png 185th Airborne Artillery Regiment "Folgore" in Bracciano (Lazio) with 24 FH-70
 * CoA mil ITA rgt genio 08.png 8th Parachutist Engineer Regiment in Legnago (Veneto)
 * CoA mil ITA btg logistico folgore.png Folgore Logistic Regiment in Pisa (Tuscany)
 * CoA mil ITA centro paracadutismo.png Parachutist Training Center in Pisa (Tuscany)

Tridentina Division


The Tridentina Division commands the Mountain Troops of the Italian Army, called Alpini (Alpines). The division is headquartered in Bolzano and consists of the following units:


 * CoA mil ITA brg Tridentina.jpg Tridentina Support Battalion in Bolzano
 * CoA mil ITA brg Taurinense.jpg Taurinense Alpine Brigade in Turin (Piedmont)'''
 * CoA mil ITA btg log taurinense.png "Taurinense" Combat Service Support Battalion in Turin
 * CoA mil ITA rgt cavalleria 01.png 1st Cavalry Regiment "Nizza Cavalleria" in Bellinzago Novarese (Piedmont) with Centauro and Puma 4x4
 * CoA mil ITA rgt alpini 002.png 2nd Alpini Regiment "Btg Saluzzo" in Cuneo (Piedmont) with Bv206S and Puma 6x6
 * CoA mil ITA rgt alpini 003.png 3rd Alpini Regiment "Btg Susa" in Pinerolo (Piedmont) with Bv206S and Puma 6x6
 * CoA mil ITA rgt alpini 009.png 9th Alpini Regiment "Btg l'Aquila" in L'Aquila (Abruzzi) with Bv206S and Puma 6x6
 * CoA 1 Artimon Rgt.svg 1st Mountain Artillery Regiment "Grp Aosta" in Fossano (Piedmont) with 24 FH-70
 * CoA mil ITA rgt genio 32.png 32nd Alpine Engineer Regiment in Turin (Piedmont)
 * CoA mil ITA btg trasporti 01.png Taurinense Logistic Regiment in Rivoli (Piedmont)
 * CoA mil ITA brg Julia.jpg Julia Alpine Brigade in Udine (Friuli)'''
 * CoA mil ITA btg log julia.png "Julia" Combat Service Support Battalion in Udine
 * CoA mil ITA rgt cavalleria 02.png 2nd Cavalry Regiment "Piemonte Cavalleria" in Trieste (Friuli-Venezia Giulia) with Centauro and Puma 4x4
 * CoA mil ITA rgt alpini 005.png 5th Alpini Regiment "Btg Morbegno" in Sterzing (South Tyrol) with Bv206S and Puma 6x6
 * CoA mil ITA rgt alpini 007.png 7th Alpini Regiment "Btg Feltre" in Belluno (Veneto) with Bv206S and Puma 6x6
 * CoA mil ITA rgt alpini 008.png 8th Alpini Regiment "Btg Tolmezzo" in Cividale (Friuli) with Bv206S and Puma 6x6
 * CoA 3 Artimon Rgt.png 3rd Mountain Artillery Regiment "Grp Conegliano" in Tolmezzo (Friuli) with 24 FH-70
 * CoA mil ITA rgt genio 02.png 2nd Alpine Engineer Regiment "Btg Iseo" in Trento (Trentino)
 * CoA mil ITA rgt logistico 24.png Julia Logistic Regiment in Meran (South Tyrol)

Friuli Division


The Friuli Division Command in Florence (Tuscany) commands following brigades of the Italian Army:


 * CoA mil ITA btg logistico friuli.png Friuli Support Battalion in Florence
 * CoA mil ITA b cor Ariete.jpg Ariete Armored Brigade in Pordenone (Friuli-Venezia Giulia)
 * CoA mil ITA b cor Ariete.jpg Ariete Combat Service Support Battalion in Pordenone
 * CoA mil ITA rgt cavalleria 05.png 5th Cavalry Regiment "Lancieri di Novara" in Codroipo (Friuli-Venezia Giulia) with Centauro and Puma 4x4
 * CoA mil ITA rgt carri 032.png 32nd Tank Regiment in Tauriano (Friuli-Venezia Giulia) with Ariete
 * CoA mil ITA rgt carri 132.png 132nd Tank Regiment in Cordenons (Friuli-Venezia Giulia) with Ariete
 * CoA mil ITA rgt bersaglieri 11.png 11th Bersaglieri mechanized Infantry Regiment in Orcenigo Superiore (Friuli-Venezia Giulia) with Dardo
 * CoA mil ITA rgt artiglieria 132.png 132nd Self Propelled Artillery Rgt. "Ariete" in Maniago (Friuli-Venezia Giulia) with 32 PzH 2000
 * CoA mil ITA rgt genio 10.png 10th Combat Engineer Regiment in Cremona (Lombardy)
 * CoA mil ITA btg logistico ariete.png Ariete Logistic Regiment in Remanzacco (Friuli-Venezia Giulia)
 * CoA mil ITA b cav Pozzuolo.jpg Pozzuolo del Friuli Brigade in Bologna (Emilia)
 * CoA mil ITA btg logistico friuli.png Combat Service Support Battalion in Bologna
 * CoA mil ITA rgt cavalleria 04.png 4th Cavalry Regiment Genova Cavalleria in Palmanova with Centauro and Puma 4x4
 * CoA mil ITA rgt fanteria 066.png 66th Air Assault Infantry Regiment "Trieste" in Forlì (Romagna) with Puma 6x6
 * CoA mil ITA rgt Lagunari.png Lagunari Amphibious Infantry Regiment "Serenissima" in Venice (Veneto) with AAV7-A1 and Puma 4x4
 * CoA mil ITA rgt aves 5.png 5th Army Aviation Regiment "Rigel" in Casarsa (Friuli-Venezia Giulia)
 * 27th Squadron Group "Mercurio" with three A129C Attack Helicopter squadrons and one AB 205A squadron
 * 49th Squadron Group "Capricorno" with three A129C squadrons
 * CoA mil ITA rgt aves 7.png 7th Army Aviation Regiment "Vega" in Rimini (Romagna)
 * 25th Squadron Group "Cigno" with three AB 205A squadrons
 * 48th Squadron Group "Pavone" with two A129C squadrons and one mixed A129C and A109CM
 * 53rd Squadron Group "Cassiopea" with three AB 412 squadrons
 * CoA mil ITA rgt artiglieria cav.png Horse Artillery Regiment "Volòire" in Vercelli (Piedmont) with 24 FH-70
 * CoA mil ITA rgt genio 03.png 3rd Engineer Regiment in Udine (Friuli-Venezia Giulia)
 * CoA mil ITA rgt trasporti 06.png "Pozzuolo del Friuli" Logistic Regiment in Budrio (Romagna)
 * CoA mil ITA b mec Sassari.jpg Sassari Mechanized Brigade in Sassari (Sardinia)
 * Sassari Combat Service Support Battalion in Sassari
 * CoA mil ITA rgt bersaglieri 03.png 3rd Bersaglieri Regiment in Teulada (Sardinia) with VBM Freccia
 * CoA mil ITA rgt fanteria 151.png 151st Infantry Regiment "Sassari" in Cagliari (Sardinia) with VBM Freccia
 * CoA mil ITA rgt fanteria 152.png 152nd Infantry Regiment "Sassari" in Sassari (Sardinia) with VBM Freccia
 * CoA mil ITA rgt genio 05.png 5th Engineer Regiment in Macomer (Sardinia)
 * Sassari Logistic Regiment in Teulada (Sardinia)

Acqui Division
The Acqui Division in San Giorgio a Cremano near Naples commands following brigades of the Italian Army:
 * CoA mil ITA btg logistico acqui.png Acqui Support Battalion in Naples
 * CoA mil ITA b ber Garibaldi.jpg Garibaldi Bersaglieri Brigade in Caserta (Campania)
 * CoA mil ITA btg logistico garibaldi.png Garibaldi Combat Service Support Battalion in Caserta (Campania)
 * CoA mil ITA rgt cavalleria 19.png 19th Cavalry Regiment "Cavalleggeri Guide" in Salerno (Campania) with Centauro and Puma 4x4
 * CoA mil ITA rgt carri 004.png 4th Tank Regiment in Persano (Campania) with Ariete main battle tanks
 * CoA mil ITA rgt bersaglieri 01.png 1st Bersaglieri Regiment in Cosenza (Calabria) with Dardo IFVs
 * CoA mil ITA rgt bersaglieri 08.png 8th Bersaglieri Regiment in Caserta (Campania) with Dardo IFVs
 * CoA mil ITA rgt artiglieria 008.png 8th Self-propelled Artillery Regiment "Pasubio" in Persano (Campania) with 32 PzH 2000
 * CoA mil ITA rgt genio 21.png 21st Engineer Regiment in Caserta (Campania)
 * CoA mil ITA btg logistico garibaldi.png Garibaldi Logistic Regiment in Persano (Campania)




 * CoA of the Pinerolo Brigade.svg Pinerolo Mechanized Brigade in Bari (Apulia)
 * CoA mil ITA btg logistico pinerolo.png Pinerolo Combat Service Support Battalion in Bari
 * CoA mil ITA rgt cavalleria 08.png 8th Cavalry Regiment "Lancieri di Montebello" in Foggia (Apulia) with Centauro and Puma 4x4
 * CoA mil ITA rgt bersaglieri 07.png 7th Bersaglieri Regiment in Bari (Apulia) with VBM Freccia
 * CoA mil ITA rgt fanteria 009.png 9th Infantry Regiment "Bari" in Trani (Apulia) with VBM Freccia
 * CoA mil ITA rgt fanteria 082.png 82nd Infantry Regiment "Torino" in Barletta (Apulia) with VBM Freccia
 * [[Image:CoA mil ITA rgt artiglieria 021.png|20px]] 21st Self-propelled Artillery Regiment Trieste in Foggia (Apulia)
 * CoA mil ITA rgt genio 11.png 11th Engineer Regiment in Foggia (Apulia)
 * CoA mil ITA btg trasporti 10.png Pinerolo Logistic Regiment in Bari (Apulia)
 * CoA of the Aosta Battalion.svg Aosta Mechanized Brigade Messina (Sicily)
 * CoA mil ITA btg logistico aosta.png Aosta Combat Service Support Battalion in Messina
 * CoA mil ITA rgt cavalleria 06.png 6th Cavalry Regiment "Lancieri d’Aosta" in Palermo (Sicily) Centauro and Puma 4x4
 * CoA mil ITA rgt bersaglieri 06.png 6th Bersaglieri Regiment in Trapani (Sicily) with VBM Freccia
 * CoA mil ITA rgt fanteria 005.png 5th Infantry Regiment "Aosta" in Messina (Sicily) with VBM Freccia
 * CoA mil ITA rgt fanteria 062.png 62nd Infantry Regiment "Sicilia" in Catania (Sicily) with VBM Freccia
 * CoA mil ITA rgt artiglieria 024.png 24th Self-propelled Artillery Regiment "Peloritani" in Messina (Sicily) with 32 M109/L
 * CoA mil ITA rgt genio 04.png 4th Engineer Regiment in Palermo (Sicily)
 * CoA mil ITA btg logistico aosta.png Aosta Logistic Regiment in Messina (Sicily)

Signal and Information Command
"Comando Trasmissioni e ed Informazioni dell’Esercito" or CoTIE is the Italian Army's Signal and Information Command, it resides in Anzio (Lazio) and consists of the following units:


 * Signal Brigade in Anzio (Lazio)
 * CoA mil ITA rgt trasmissioni 02.png 2nd Signal Regiment (Alpini) in Bolzano with the battalions:
 * "Gardena"
 * "Pordoi"
 * CoA mil ITA rgt trasmissioni 03.png 3rd Signal Regiment in Rome (Lazio) with the battalions:
 * "Lanciano"
 * "Abetone"
 * "Gennargentu"
 * CoA mil ITA rgt trasmissioni 07.png 7th Signal Regiment in Sacile with the battalions:
 * "Rolle"
 * "Predil"
 * CoA mil ITA rgt trasmissioni 11.png 11th Signal Regiment in Civitavecchia (Lazio) with the battalions:
 * "Leonessa"
 * "Tonale"
 * CoA mil ITA rgt trasmissioni 32.png 32nd Signal Regiment in Padova (Veneto) with the battalions:
 * "Valles"
 * "Frejus"
 * CoA mil ITA rgt trasmissioni 46.png 46th Signal Regiment in Palermo (Sicily) with the battalions:
 * "Mongibello"
 * "Vulture"
 * 232nd Signal Regiment in Avellino (Campania) with the battalion:
 * "Fadalto"
 * Signal Brigade Support Battalion in Anzio (Lazio)


 * RISTA-IEW ISTAR & Electronic Warfare Brigade in Anzio (Lazio)
 * CoA mil ITA rgt guelt 33.png 33rd EW Regiment "Falzarego" in Cassino (Veneto)
 * CoA mil ITA rgt cotie 041.png 41st Surveillance Regiment "Cordenons" in Sora (Lazio) with Mirach 20, Pointer, Raven UAVs and AN/TPQ-37 Firefinder, Elta SCB 2130, Thales Ranger, ARTHUR Radars
 * CoA mil ITA grp acquisizione obiettivi 013.png 13th Intelligence Battalion "Aquileia" in Anzio (Lazio) with Lince VTML
 * RISTA-IEW ISTAR and Electronic Warfare Brigade Support Battalion in Anzio (Lazio)

Army Aviation Command
The Army Aviation Command resides in Viterbo and includes the non combat flying formations of the Army (i.e. Transport Planes, support helicopters,…)


 * CoA mil ITA centro aves.png Army Aviation Instruction Center in Viterbo (Lazio)
 * 1st Squadron Group "Auriga" in Viterbo
 * Army Aviation Brigade in Viterbo
 * CoA mil ITA rgt aves 1.png 1st Army Aviation Regiment "Antares" in Viterbo (Lazio)
 * 11th Squadron Group "Ercole" with two CH-47C "Chinook" squadrons
 * 26th Squadron Group "Giove" Special Operations Helicopter Group (REOS) with one CH-47C "Chinook" and one AB 412 squadron
 * 28th Squadron Group "Tucano" in Viterbo with one Dornier DO-228 squadron and one Piaggio P-180 squadron
 * CoA mil ITA rgt aves 2.png 2nd Army Aviation Regiment "Sirio" in Lamezia Terme (Calabria)
 * 21st Squadron Group "Orsa Maggiore" in Elmas (Sardinia) with one AB 205A squadron
 * 30th Squadron Group "Pegaso" with two AB 212 squadrons
 * CoA mil ITA rgt aves 4.png 4th Army Aviation Regiment "Altair" in Bolzano (South Tyrol)
 * 54th Squadron Group "Cefeo" in Bolzano with two AB 205A squadrons
 * Army Aviation Material Department
 * CoA mil ITA rgt sost aves 1.png 1st Army Aviation Support Regiment "Idra" in Bracciano
 * CoA mil ITA rgt sost aves 2.png 2nd Army Aviation Support Regiment "Orione" in Bologna
 * CoA mil ITA rgt sost aves 3.png 3rd Army Aviation Support Regiment "Aquila" in Orio al Serio
 * CoA mil ITA rgt sost aves 4.png 4th Army Aviation Support Regiment "Scorpione" in Viterbo

Air Defense Command
Air Defense Artillery Command in Sabaudia, with dual training and operational role
 * Air Defense Training Regiment in Sabaudia
 * CoA mil ITA rgt artiglieria c a 004.png 4th Air Defense Regiment "Peschiera" in Mantova with 4x SAMP/T batteries
 * CoA mil ITA rgt artiglieria c a 017.png 17th Air Defense Regiment "Sforzesca" in Sabaudia with 4x Skyguard "Aspide" batteries
 * CoA mil ITA rgt artiglieria c a 121.png 121st Air Defense Regiment "Ravenna" in Bologna with 2x SIDAM 25 and 2x Stinger batteries

Operational Support Command
The Operational Support Command commands the remaining support regiments of the army:


 * CoA mil ITA rgt artiglieria 005.png 5th Rocket Artillery Regiment "Superga" in Portogruaro (Veneto) with 22 MLRS
 * CoA mil ITA rgt NBC 007.png 7th NBC Defense Regiment "Cremona" in Civitavecchia (Lazio) with VAB in the NBC configuration
 * CoA mil ITA rgt artiglieria 052.png 52nd Self-propelled Artillery Regiment "Torino" in Vercelli (Piedmont) with 32 M109/L (will be disbanded until 2016)
 * CoA mil ITA rgt genio pontieri.png 2nd Bridge Engineers Regiment in Piacenza
 * CoA mil ITA rgt genio 06.png 6th Pioneer Engineers Regiment in Rome
 * CoA mil ITA rgt genio ferrovieri.png Railway Engineers Regiment in Castel Maggiore (near Bologna; 2 Battalions) (will merge with the 2nd Bridge Engineers Regiment until 2017)

Support units
The following support units are not under the command of COMFOTER and their role is exclusively the support of units on Italian soil. They are commanded by various sub staffs of the SME- Army General Staff in Rome.


 * CoA mil ITA scuola fanteria.png Infantry School in Rome
 * CoA mil ITA rgt fanteria 017.png 17th Infantry Regiment "Acqui" in Capua
 * CoA mil ITA rgt fanteria 080.png 80th Infantry Regiment "Roma" in Cassino
 * CoA mil ITA rgt fanteria 085.png 85th Infantry Regiment "Verona" in Montorio Veronese
 * CoA mil ITA rgt fanteria 235.png 235th Infantry Regiment "Piceno" in Ascoli Piceno


 * other Training units:
 * CoA mil ITA rgt carri 001.png 1st Armored Regiment in Capo Teulada (Sardinia)
 * CoA mil ITA rgt carri 031.png 31st Armored Regiment in Altamura (Apulia)


 * Technical Support units:
 * CoA mil ITA rgt trasmissioni 184.png 184th Signal Support Regiment in Treviso
 * CoA mil ITA rgt trasmissioni 44.png 44th Signal Support Regiment in Rome


 * Others
 * CoA mil ITA rgt trasporti 08.png 8th Transport Regiment "Casilina"
 * CoA mil ITA autogr manovra 11.png 11th Transport Battalion "Flaminia"