Carabinieri Mobile Units Division

The Carabinieri Mobile Units Division (Divisione Unità Mobili Carabinieri) is the Carabinieri formation, established in 2001, dedicated to the performance of military duties abroad, the military police tasks when abroad, the support to Territorial Organization, the participation in civil protection operations and to ensure the emergency reserve for the General Command.

History
Carabinieri units devoted to the riot control and to tactical tasks experienced several organizational phases, from late 1910s to the present day.

1919-1923
The history of the branch of the Carabinieri specifically dedicated to quell massive civil disturbances dates back in 1919, when 18 Carabinieri Autonomous Mobile Battalions (Battaglioni Mobili Autonomi) were established in order to deal with the Biennio Rosso.

At the end of the World War One, the Royal Italian Army was reduced and both the Carabinieri and the Royal Guard of Public Security were augmented. p.268 Following the end of the War, participants to rallies increased in numbers and Army units deployed in internal order services significantly decreased. The Arm of Carabinieri, in order to sustain the increasingly heavy duty, established for the first time outside war several Army-style Battalions. pp.269-270 The previous approach consisted in drawing Carabinieri from the territorial stations near the event, replacing them with Carabinieri drawn in turn from other Stations; since 1908 several proposes had been made by Carabinieri officers to form organic Carabinieri units in order to not to steal Carabinieri from the territorial police service and to improve the harmony within the ranks of Carabinieri assigned to public order services. pp.271-273

On 7 December 1918, the Carabinieri General Command elaborated a proposal for War Minister Albricci, assuming the establishment of 15 p.282 Mobile Battalions under the relevant Carabinieri Legion. The total strength of the Mobile Battalions was envisioned in 5,000 Carabinieri. According to the proposal, each Battalion should have had 5 trucks with attached drivers and mechanics, two motorcycles for commanders of the detachments and a light car for the commanding Colonel. pp.280-282

On 25 August 1919, another study elaborated by the General Command proposed the establishment of Mobile Battalions as a quick reaction force, also in response to insurrections to be dealt with by the Army. The 1919 proposal envisioned therefore a mechanized unit consisting of Cyclist Companies, special trains (also available for natural disasters), and fast trucks; the training for personnel assigned to the Battalions was coinceived in order to improve the cohesion and decision. pp.283-284

On 30 March 1919, Commandant General Luigi Cauvin issued executive orders of the establishment of the Mobile Battalions of the Royal Carabinieri. According to Article 7, Carabinieri of the Mobile Battalions were to be deployed in organic units (Platoon, Company, or the whole Battalion) always under their own subofficers and officers. The strength of each Mobile Battalions was to be 782 officers and troops. The training was specifically designed for public order and riot control services. pp.284-286

By force of the Royal Decree of 20 April 1920, no. 451, eighteen Autonomous Mobile Battalions were established. pp.279-280 The autonomous mobile Battalions took the name of their seat and were marked with serial number if several Battalions residents in the same city: Turin (2 Battalions), Alessandria, Genoa, Milan (2 Battalions), Verona, Florence, Bologna, Ancona, Rome (2 Battalions), Naples (2 Battalions), Bari, Palermo, Catania. The Battalions were organized on 3 Carabinieri on foot companies and 1 Cyclist Carabinieri Company, each with a total force of 750 men under the command of a lieutenant colonel. pp.279-280 Mobile Battalions in Alessandria, Treviso, Cagliari, Catanzaro and Messina were established outside the 1918 plan, due to evolving needs. pp.280-282

Two years later, in 1922, six Battalions were disestablished and at the next year the remaining Battalions followed. However, three Battalions subordinated to the local Legion remained in existence: two in Rome and one in Palermo.

1940-1963
In 1940 the new Army organization foresaw four Carabinieri Battalions, while in 1945 12 Battalions (renamed Mobile Battalions) were re-established, in order to deal with the civil unrest following the end of the civil war, alongside with four Mobile Battalions Groups. The 1945-established Mobile Battalions were equipped, supplied and maintained by the relevant Carabinieri Legion. The Mobile Battalions Groups were: The Mobile Battalions were provided of new vehicles in order to enable them to deploy rapidly.
 * 1st Group (HQ Milan), subordinated to the 1st Carabinieri Division "Pastrengo" and including Battalions based in Turin, Milan, Genoa and Padua;
 * 2nd Group (HQ Florence), subordinated to the 2nd Carabinieri Division "Podgora", including Bologna and Florence Battalions;
 * 3rd Group (HQ Rome), subordinated to the 2nd Carabinieri Division "Podgora", including Battalions "Lazio", "Rome" and "Cagliari";
 * 4th Group (HQ Naples), subordinated to the 3rd Carabinieri Division "Ogaden", with Naples, Bari and Palermo Battalions.

After the end of the Second World War, in Italy occurred several security crisis: banditism in Sicily and in Sardinia, and civil disturbances across the country. pp. 168–169 On 26 August 1949, the Banditry Repression Forces Command was established under Colonel Ugo Luca. p. 170 Between 1951 and 1963, a new Parachute Carabinieri Battalion was established. p. 183

1963-2000
In 1963, with the 1960s Army and Carabinieri reorganization, the XI Carabinieri Mechanized Brigade was established directly under the General Command, in order to cope with the internal territorial defence needs. The establishment of the new brigade was in order to adjust the organization of the Battalions and of cavalry units both for strictly military tasks, and those related to the protection of public order. The aim was to ensure Carabinieri Battalions the availability of all elements necessary to be in a position to act in isolation and overcome considerable resistance without having to rely on the competition of other Army Corps or other Armed Forces, to ensure Battalions speed of movement and concentration in large sectors of foreseeable use and a constant high training level.

Overall, the XI Carabinieri Mechanized Brigade consisted of about 5,000 men with 80 tracked vehicles, 200 other military vehicles, 130 M47 tanks and a paratroopers battalion. However, the brigade never had responsibility for actual unitary operational command, lacking supports due to a political choice, but exercised the tasks of instruction and preparation for the riot control activities.

In the reorganization, Mobile Battalions were renamed simply Battalions and were marked with a sequential number, while remaining administratively dependent on the relevant Legion; the Battalions Groups were renamed Carabinieri Regiments, and were given the conceptual role of a resolution unit in both riot and tactical tasks; According original resolutions, Regiments were to have only disciplinary, training and deployment functions, while general management rested within the relevant Legion. The newly formed Mechanized Brigade exercised its operational and training authority on:
 * 1st Carabinieri Regiment (HQ Milan): commanding I, II, III and IV Battalions;
 * 2nd Carabinieri Regiment (HQ Rome): commanding V, VI, VIII and IX Battalions;
 * 3rd Carabinieri Regiment (HQ Naples): commanding X, XI and XII Battalions;
 * 4th Mounted Carabinieri Regiment (HQ Rome) with 2 Squadrons Groups (Battalion-level units) and 1 Armoured-motorized Squadron;
 * VII Battalion (directly under the Brigade Command), under IV Army Corps; despite being the newest Battalion, the unit inherited traditions and number of the second battalion of Rome, which was disestablished.
 * XIII Battalion (directly under the Brigade Command), under V Army Corps.

The command structure of the XI Carabinieri Mechanized Brigade consisted of:
 * Staff, with personnel management and training bodies;
 * Services Office, with activation and research tasks;
 * Army officers of Transmissions and Motorization organizations, with management, technical, inspecting and consulting tasks.

Each Carabinieri Battalion was led by a lieutenant colonel or a major and consisted of: 1 Command Company (1 Command Platoon, 1 Services Platoon, 1 Scouts Platoon), 2 Rifle Companies (command platoon, 3 rifle platoons, 1 company weapons platoon each), 1 Mortars Company and 1 Tanks Company (Command Platoon, 3 Tanks Platoons). It was therefore a robust tactical complex. The Carabinieri Battalions had to be used only when the police and the local organization of the Carabinieri they had found insufficient, in order not to deprive the General Command of a valuable combat tool. Within the VII Battalion, based in Laives, the Counter-terrorism Special Company was established in 1960s to counter South Tyrolean terrorism. p. 187 Both VII and XIII Battalions were to be always maintained at their full wartime force.

However, the 1963 reorganization did not mark the end of the organizational shifts. In 1964, 1st Carabinieri Helicopter Section was established.

Between 1967 and 1968 it was set up the Inspectorate of Mechanized and Training Units (led by a Divisional general), with responsibility on the X Carabinieri Brigade (including schools) and XI Carabinieri Mechanized Brigade. In 1971 it was established the Inspectorate Schools and Special Carabinieri Units; it controlled the X Brigade (dedicated to training) and XI Brigade.

In 1969, Battalions framed within Carabinieri Regiments were reorganized. The new structure consisted of Battalion Command Unit, Command and Services Company (Command and Services Platoon, Scouts Platoon, Transmissions Platoon, Tanks Platoon, Transportations Platoon), 2 Mechanized Rifle Companies (Command and Services Platoon, 3 Rifle Platoons, Mortars Platoons).

Between 1973 and 1976, the 5th Carabinieri Regiment (HQ Mestre) also existed, including IV, VII and XIII Battalions. On 1 September 1977, 1st, 2nd and 3rd Carabinieri Regiments were disesablished and their Battalions were transferred under the direct operational and training authority of the 11th Mechanized Brigade; the 4th Mounted Carabinieri Regiment was renamed Mounted Carabinieri Regiment. In 1975 the XI Carabinieri Mechanized Brigade changed its name in 11th Carabinieri Mechanized Brigade (with Arabic numerals) and in 1976 the formation was renamed 11th Carabinieri Brigade; at the same time, the Brigade Command was tasked to exercise only training and logistical authority.

In 1977, the three Carabinieri Regiments were disestablished and 4th Carabinieri Cavalry Regiment changed its name in Carabinieri Cavalry Regiment, with the Battalions being directly under the Brigade Command. The following year an Inspecting Colonel was appointed, while in 1979 two additional Colonels followed.

In 1980, the Inspectorate changed its name to Command Division School and Special Carabinieri Units "Palidoro". In 1985, the department was deprived of training component and was reorganized on the XI Brigade (Carabinieri Battalions) and the XII Brigade (specialist units); the brigade was therefore placed under a command called Carabinieri Mobile and Special Units Division "Palidoro".

Overall, Carabinieri Battalions were divided into two groups, according to the main type (motorized or mechanized unit) of unit the unit deployed.

During the Years of Lead and the subsequent period, however, most of the Battalions reduced their military training in order to deal with riot control activities. 7th and 13th Battalions maintained instead their military capabilities and were transferred under direct Army operational control. Each infantry company of each Battalion established, in this period, an "Intervention Platoon", in order to upgrade the responsiveness to serious riots. p. 191

In the 1976 Friuli earthquake, the XIII Carabinieri Battalion "Friuli Venezia Giulia", IV Carabinieri Battalion "Veneto" and VII Carabinieri Battalion "Trentino Alto Adige" intervened paying rescue and providing police and utility services. In the 1980 Irpinia earthquake Carabinieri Battalions from Bari, Naples and Rome also intervened. pp. 203–204

With the end of the Cold War, the mobile organization lost its combat-oriented connotation, taking over the role of force mainly devoted to the performance of riot control. The 1st Carabinieri Group in Milan and the 2nd Carabinieri in Rome were established in the 1990s within the 11th Brigade; these units were renamed, in 1995, respectively Carabinieri Regiment in Milan and Carabinieri Regiment in Rome. In 1996, the 1st Carabinieri Battalion was transformed in the 1st Parachute Carabinieri Regiment "Tuscania", although it remained within Paratroopers Brigade Folgore until 2002.

2001-present day
In 2001, when the Carabinieri were elevated to the rank of autonomous Armed Force, the 11th Mechanized Brigade was reorganized into the present-day Carabinieri Mobile Units Division. From 2002 to 2013, the headquarters have been based in Treviso; in 2013 they were transferred in Rome.

Division commanders
Since its establishment, the Carabinieri Mobile Units Division has been led by eight Generals:
 * Gen. D. Luciano Gottardo (2001-2002);
 * Gen. D. Michele Franzé (2005-2006);
 * Gen. D. Giuseppe Barraco;
 * Gen. D. Leonardo Leso (2007-2009);
 * Gen. D. Umberto Pinotti (2009-2011);
 * Gen. D. Vincenzo Coppola;
 * Gen. D. Silvio Ghiselli;
 * Gen. D. Maurizio Detalmo Mezzavilla (2016–present).

Mission
The Carabinieri Mobile Units Division, through its Brigades, is tasked with:
 * The performance of military duties of the Carabinieri associated with the integrated defence of the national territory and participation in military operations abroad;
 * The performance of military police tasks against Italian Armed Forces deployed overseas;
 * The support of the Carabinieri territorial organization in riot control activities and to increase the control of the territory in large urban areas and in the most sensitive areas in terms of public security;
 * The participation in civil protection operations;
 * The ensuring reserve of the General Command, a ready and reactive mass maneuvering force to cope with various emergencies.

Military operations abroad
Abroad, Carabinieri guarantee, exclusively, the Military Police in support of Italian contingents and provide MSU (Multinational Specialized Unit) and IPU (Integrated Police Unit) Regiments. The Division provide resources and personnel for several missions abroad. Current missions are carried out on behalf of the United Nations, NATO, European Union and on behalf of other international agreements.

UN missions
 * Cyprus: United Nations Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP);
 * Lebanon: United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

NATO missions
 * Afghanistan: NATO Training Mission - Afghanistan (NTM-A);
 * Kosovo: Kosovo Force (KFOR).

EU missions Within the European Union, Carabinieri participate (through the Division) in:
 * Somalia: European Union Training Mission Somalia (EUTM Somalia);
 * Kosovo: European Union Rule of Law Mission (EULEX);
 * Mali: European Union Capacity Building Mission (EUCAP Sahel);
 * Mediterranean Area: European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFORMED)

Other missions:
 * Israel: Temporary International Presence in Hebron (TIPH 2) and, in Palestine, Italian Training Mission (MIADIT)
 * Lebanon: Italian Bilateral Military Mission in Lebanon (MIBIL)
 * Iraq and Kuwait as part of the "Inherent Resolve";
 * Libya: Operation "IPPOCRATE";
 * Djibouti: Italian Training Mission (MIADIT Somalia).

Organization
The Division is placed under the Carabinieri Specialists and Mobile Units Command "Palidoro"; in turn, the Division is divided into two brigades.

1st Mobile Brigade
The 1st Mobile Brigade, located in Rome, successor of the 11th Brigade; it employs the 1st Regiment "Piemonte", the 4th Mounted Carabinieri Regiment (based in Rome), the 5th Regiment "Emilia Romagna", the 8th Carabinieri Regiment "Lazio", the 10th Carabinieri Regiment "Campania" and 5 Carabinieri Battalions located in Milan, Mestre, Bari, Palermo and Vibo Valentia. The Brigade employs a total of 12 Carabinieri Battalions.

At the 8th Regiment Carabinieri "Lazio" in Rome and the Carabinieri Battalions in Milan, Florence, Naples, Bari, Palermo and Mestre it is constituted a "Operational Intervention Company" which, thanks to the special training of personnel and the allocation of substantial means and materials, allows to cope with the appropriate urgency in sudden danger to public security.

In addition, in order to deal with emergencies in case of public calamity, at the Battalions are set up, when needed, special Rescue Units previously trained and provided with equipment and materials which allow them to provide initial assistance to people affected while awaiting the intervention of civil protection.

The Carabinieri Cavalry Regiment contributes to the control of inaccessible rural areas of the country, supporting the territorial organization.

2nd Mobile Brigade
The 2nd Carabinieri Mobile Brigade, based in Livorno, is dedicated to the military missions abroad, including the military police tasks. It employs the 7th Carabinieri Regiment "Trentino - Alto Adige", the 13th Carabinieri Regiment "Friuli Venezia Giulia", and the 1st Paratroopers Carabinieri Regiment "Tuscania" and the Special Intervention Group.

Related voices

 * Carabinieri
 * 14th Carabinieri Battalion "Calabria"
 * Military operations of the European Union
 * Military police