26th Special Operations Helicopter Unit

The 26th Squadron – Special Operations Helicopter Unit (R.E.O.S.) is a special operation unit of the Italian Army that provides helicopter aviation support for Italian special forces. The 26th REOS is headquartered in Viterbo near Rome. The tasks of the 26th are similar to those of the US Army Night Stalkers and their motto is Numquam Periculum Sine Periculo Vincitur (No danger can ever be overcome without danger).

Overview
The 26th Squadron is a special operation unit that provides tactical support to Italian special forces. The Squadron has capabilities to conduct its missions at night, at high speeds, low altitudes, and on short notice on all weather conditions. Previously part of the Folgore Parachute Brigade and headquartered in Pisa, from 2004 the 26th REOS is part of the Italian Army Light Aviation and based in Viterbo.

The 26th REOS selection and training is very rigorous and is conducted together with the basic Italian special forces training program. There is first a selection phase divided into two steps and then a training phase. The first part of the selection phase is based on several psychological and fitness tests. The second part of the selection process lasts two weeks and puts the trainees under physical and psychological stress. Those who pass the selection process move to the basic training phase of 31 weeks, which puts the trainees in a series of training environments. All trainees must attend and graduate specific courses in parachuting, close quarter combat, communications etc. Trainees who graduated from this basic special force training program are assigned to their final destination unit and will receive further advanced training in specific fields related to the tactical tasks of their unit.

This unit was deployed abroad in several occasions, the most known are:


 * Mission Restore Hope in Somalia in 1992.
 * Mission Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan from 2001 on.
 * Operation Ancient Babylon in Iraq from 2003 to 2004.

Equipment
The 26th REOS fly AB 412, CH-47Cs Plus Chinook, and NH-90.