Gruppo di intervento speciale

The Gruppo di Intervento Speciale (GIS) (English: Special Intervention Group) is the special forces unit of the Italian Carabinieri. The Carabinieri, a branch of the Armed Forces responsible for both military and civil policing, formed GIS in 1978 as a police tactical unit.[1] In 2004, GIS assumed a special operations role evolving to a special forces unit, in addition to the police tactical unit role, becoming part of the Comando interforze per le Operazioni delle Forze Speciali (COFS) (English: Joint Special Forces Operational Headquarters).[1][2]

Special Intervention Group
Gruppo di Intervento Speciale
Gruppo di Intervento Speciale Official Insignia
Common nameTeste di cuoio ("Leatherheads")
AbbreviationGIS
MottoNei secoli fedele or Silenziosi come la notte veloci come la folgore
"Faithful through the centuries" or "As silent as the night, as fast as the lighting"
Agency overview
FormedFebruary 6, 1978[1]
EmployeesAt least 100
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdictionItaly
General nature
Specialist jurisdictions
  • Counter terrorism, special weapons operations. Protection of internationally protected persons, other very important persons, and-or of state property of significance.
  • Protection of international or domestic VIPs, protection of significant state assets.
Operational structure
HeadquartersLivorno
Agency executive
Parent agencyComando interforze per le Operazioni delle Forze Speciali
Notables
Significant operation

The unit has taken part in counter-terrorism operations and VIP, executive and dignitary protection security. Since its inception, GIS has distinguished itself throughout Italy for efficiency and excellent preparation, and has also operated and operates in several theatres of war including Balkans, Afghanistan, Iraq, Horn of Africa, as well as in all the countries where Italian diplomatic offices are at risk.

In Italy, GIS is one of three police tactical units that can operate throughout the country, the other two being Nucleo Operativo Centrale di Sicurezza (NOCS) of the Polizia di Stato and Antiterrorismo Pronto Impiego (ATPI) of the Guardia di Finanza.

Mission

The Special Intervention Group is employed in high-risk special actions against terrorism. The GIS specializes in hostage rescue, prioritizing their physical safety, in reconquest of vital targets and facilities held by terrorists, in resolutive intervention against hijacking, in intervention in environments featuring NBCR dangers.[3]p.18

Domestic roles

The Special Intervention Group ensures the permanent availability of personnel to the Ministry of the Interior for immediate deployments. The Ministry of the Interior employs the GIS for the release of hostages from airplanes, ships, trains, buses and buildings. It also calls them to protect sensitive targets from terrorist or criminal attacks and to ensure surveillance and security at high-risk events (in coordination with Public Security authorities).[3]p.18

Aside of the permanent availability ensured to the Interior Ministry, the GIS are used by the General Command of the Carabinieri to guarantee the security of threatened personalities or to assist territorial units in crisis situations such as kidnapping and capturing criminals, fugitives or dangerous evades. The GIS also trains and certifies other Carabinieri assigned to escort duties, and provides security services to important persons.[3]p.18

Roles abroad
GIS in desert camo for overseas operations

The GIS are also deployed abroad, to perform foreign hostage-rescue operations, to protect Italian embassies and consulates in highly dangerous situations, as well as for special intervention in Carabinieri deployments and operations abroad.[3]p.18

Occasionally they are also in charge of training foreign police personnel.

Special operations

In 2003, GIS became a special forces unit responsible for special operations, including direct action, special reconnaissance, military assistance and counter terrorism, part of Comando interforze per le Operazioni delle Forze Speciali (COFS) of the Armed Forces, in addition to its civilian police tactical unit role.[2] GIS can deploy overseas for special operations if requested by COFS. In 2015, laws were changed to permit the Italian foreign intelligence service Agenzia Informazioni e Sicurezza Esterna (AISE) to use GIS for individual missions.[4]

History

Background

During the seventies of the last century (the so-called years of lead) the Italian political and civil institutions suffered a violent assault by endemic terrorist groups. Although the Government had not taken any official initiatives, units were set up in the elite units of the Armed Forces and Police for the development and experimentation of intervention techniques in crisis situations in the presence of hostages.

On 18 October 1977, the political will changed as a result of the success of Operation Feuerzauber (Magic Fire) conducted by the Germans of the GSG-9 that in Somalia succeeded in freeing 86 passengers and 3 crew members of the Lufthansa 181 flight hijacked and still in hand of terrorists. Feasibility studies were immediately carried out.[3]

Following this action, interior minister Francesco Cossiga on 6 January 1978 ordered the creation of the UN.I.S. (Unità di Intervento Speciale, Italian for "Special Intervention Units"),[3]p.13 in order to support anti-terrorism investigations.

In a feasibility study conducted on 24 October 1977, the Carabinieri foresaw the establishment of the Special Intervention Group within the Battalion "Tuscania", in order to enable the Group to act both framed the larger Battalion and alone.[3]p.14

Establishment

The Special Intervention Group was the first to be officially established on 6 February 1978 by the General Command of the Carabinieri,[1] within the then-Battalion "Tuscania". This unit of the Carabinieri could act both in civil and public order and in the military sphere. The Special Intervention Group was made operationally autonomous, administratively part of the Battalion and logistically supported by the Folgore Brigade.[3]p.14

By December 1981, the Special Intervention Group reached the full operational capability.[3]p.15

The public debut of the GIS took place in Trani on 29 December 1980. In the prison, a revolt led by terrorists broke out. On the building, helicopters began to whirl, from which masked men quickly fell down. They regained control of the prison in a few minutes despite the many gates welded by the rebels to hinder an intervention from outside.

Expansion of the scope

In the following years, the GIS expanded its tasks: in December 1988 the Group, on the proposal of its own commander, was tasked with prevention and counter-sabotage activities, as well as with support of the Carabinieri territorial organisation, sensitive targets surveillance, and high-risk interventions and round-ups against organised crime.[3]pp.16-17

In 1994, the tasks of the Group were further expanded, including support for the capture of prominent fugitives, in anti-drug operations and in operations aimed at executing orders of the judicial authorities in the presence of environmental characteristics that entail considerable difficulties in execution. An underwater component was also set established and the use of the unit in support of the Italian embassies at risk was also approved.[3]p.17

2003: special forces unit

The GIS, because of the minor terrorist emergency , since 2000 has operated mainly in the military, and since 26 November 2003, it has been part of the Special Forces, along with COMSUBIN, 9th Paratroopers Assault Regiment and the 17º Stormo Incursori.[3]p.17[5]

The decision of converting the GIS into a special forces unit was taken as consequence of the large overseas deployment of his operators, that distinguished themselves for competence and resolution in various scenarios of war. Already after his creation, the group operated alongside Italian troops in Lebanon during the Lebanese Civil War, and since that moment they become an important part of the Italian military actions around the globe.

Organization

The GIS headquarters is in Livorno.

The exact number of operating personnel is a confidential information, but the Group is organized at a company level.

The GIS is divided into:

  • A command section
  • An administrative section
  • A training and exercise section
  • A section of exploration, reconnaissance, and target acquisition
  • A combat section
  • A section of selected shooters

The largest combat section, in turn, is divided into three detachments consisting of teams of four men: a commander, an explosive specialist, a climbing specialist and an equipment specialist.

At any moment there is a detachment ready to leave the base in 30 minutes. For this purpose, there are always some Agusta-Bell AB 412 supplied with the Carabinieri and a 46th Air Force Aircraft of the Air Force that is located in nearby Pisa, which can supply the C-130 Hercules when needed. The remaining can be used within three and twenty-four hours of the alarm. In the most urgent cases, an advanced core precedes the operating section in order to plan the intervention strategy based on first-hand information.

The exploration, reconnaissance and scouting section is in turn made up of teams of three men: two fighters armed with Mauser 86 SR and an explorer equipped with a semiautomatic HK PSG-1. During longer actions, men can become the explorer.

Reaction to a threat
  • Alarm (ordered from the Operational Room of the General Command of the Armed Force)
  • Staffing (structured on a modular system: a first share of operators is in immediate preparation, a second is operational within 3 hours, while the entire department is active within 24 hours)
  • Transfer to a working area (can be carried out with fast and special cars with helicopters AB 412 of the Elinucleo Carabinieri of Pisa or with aircraft C 130 and G 222 of the 46th aerobigate stationed in Pisa)
  • Device deployment
  • Intervention
  • Evacuation

Publicly known missions

As of late 2018, the Special Intervention Group has been involved in more than 600 special operations:[3]p.20

  • 28 December 1980, prison of Trani: Blitz inside the prison where some communist brigades members were barricaded. At the end of a violent gunfight, 18 police members were liberated. Many were wounded among special forces, prisoners and terrorists, but no victims were injured.[6]
  • 25 August 1987, Elba Island, Porto Azzurro Prison (Livorno): 6 men sentenced for life, among them the terrorist Nero Mario Tuti, take 11 prisoners, 17 prison guards, and 5 civilians as hostages. After a few hours, members of GIS and NOCS entered in the building, and injured all six terrorists.[7][8]
  • 24 June 1989, Oria (Brindisi): Roberto Di Giovanni, 26 years old, suffering from a mental disorder that worsened after his mother died, barricaded himself in a house with a pistol and a couple hunting rifles and shot 200 rounds at civilians and later against the police, killing one person and injuring 10, among them 4 Carabinieri and a policeman. Any negotiation was useless, because he shot at everything that moved. When the night came, GIS entered the house with the use of gas and after a hand-to-hand combat arrested Roberto.[9]
  • December 1989, San Luca (Reggio Calabria): capture of the 'ndrangheta member Strangio, during investigation on the seizure of Cesare Casella.
  • 17 April 1990, Santa Margherita Ligure (Genova): Liberation of Patrizia Tacchella.
  • 16 January 1995, Segrate (Milan): Liberation of Raffaele Alessi.
  • 9 May 1997, Venice: Liberation of the San Marco bell tower from Militia of the Republic of Venice, mass media "Serenissimi", that reached San Marco square with a home made armored vehicle and a camper.
  • 18 December 1999, Alicudi Island (Messina): Antidrug operation at sea.
  • 7 June 2000, Tourin: liberation of Rosa Laura Spadafora.
  • 10 June 2000, Torre Annunziata (Naples): capture of the absconding camorrista Ferdinando Cesarano.
  • 18 April 2002, Kabul, Afghanistan: escort for the former Afghan King Mohammed Zahir Shah.
  • 30 November 2002, Ostia (Rome):capture of the absconding Tunisian Faid Isa Kamalfa, barricaded in a Villa.
  • 13 November 2003, Nasiriyah: Iraq Support to the operation after the attack against the Italian army base that caused 28 death.
  • 6 April 2004, Nasiriyah: Iraq some members of the GIS take part to the battle of the bridges against Mahdi soldiers.[10]
  • 14 March 2005, Corato, (Bari): An arsenal, used probably by a gang specialized in assaulting bank trucks, was impounded by Carabinieri. The GIS made an incursion inside an abandoned country house where there were six people within them and absconding; all were natives of Calabria and specialized in gun running, the drug trade and extortion. Militaries found ten Kalashnikov rifles, body armor, camouflage uniforms and lights. Near the building were parked some sports cars. During the operation one of the criminals attempted to fire, but was stopped by a member of the special forces.[11]
  • 28 June 2005, Bogogno, Novara: night blitz to capture Angelo Sacco, that the previous day killed three people and injured eight.
  • February 2006, security during the Torino Winter Olympic Games.
  • 27 April 2006, Nasiriyah: Iraq new attack against an Italian military base with five deaths. Security operation assured by GIS
  • 5 June 2006, Nasiriyah: Iraq attack against Italian armored vehicles. One death. GIS is called to investigate.
  • 22 August 2008, antidrug operation in Poggiomarino (Napoli) against Camorra Narcos. Impounded 100 KGS of pure cocaine.
  • 18 July 2009, fraction Bosco di Nanto, Vicenza: blitz to capture Battista Zanellato, 84 years old, who barricaded himself in his own house a few hours after killing a police officer.[12]
  • 1 October 2009, Naples: blitz to capture the Mafia boss, 34 years old, supposedly the Lord of the Camorra clan Gionta of Torre Annunziata. The fast raid of the Special Forces in the house of those absconding in front of Palazzo Fienga, stronghold of the clan, allowed the securing of the zone before the start of a firefight.
  • 6 November 2009, Città di Castello: blitz to capture a South African citizen, who a few hours before killed a Polish man. During the raid one GIS member was slightly injured.
  • 10 December 2009, Mestre: blitz to free a Chinese citizen that went missing a few days before. He was captured by a Chinese gang and imprisoned in a loft in Piave Street.
  • 29 May 2010, Comacchio: blitz to capture Mario Cavalieri, barricaded in his home. The previous day he had punched a female officer. After a siege of 30 hours around his home in Spina Street in Comacchio, Mario Cavalieri surrendered to the GIS at 16:45.
  • 23 October 2010, Agrigento: blitz to capture the Mafia boss Gerlandino Messina, wanted since 1999. At the moment of his arrest, he was in possession of weapons.
  • 30 June 2011, Collegno: blitz in the loft of Santo Guglielmino (85 years old), who barricaded himself for 15 hours, with hostages: the cohabitant Rosa Colusso and an 86-year-old woman. During the blitz he killed Rosa and committed suicide.[13]
  • 3 November 2011, Herat, Afghanistan: in the Esko International headquarters after a Taliban commando broke out. According to well-informed sources, the hostages who fell into the hands of the terrorists in the occupied buildings were 18, including three Italians, while the troops who quickly surrounded the area belonged to the rapid reaction force, a couple of Italian infantry platoons and air riflemen (Aeronautica Militare), kept in constant pre-alarm to cope with sudden needs. Activated immediately was also the antiterrorist component of Task Force 45, which has its base and its command within Camp Arena. Less than 20 men of the Gruppo di intervento speciale and the operational group Navy raiders COMSUBIN planned and executed the blitz, which developed in the late morning. Seemingly, the use of helicopters was made in a simultaneous attack of buildings controlled by terrorists, penetrating through doors, windows and roof. The precise fire of the raiders killed all the terrorists, as confirmed by Noor Khan Nekzad, spokesman for the Afghan police. The blitz was defined as impeccable by numerous military analysts.[14]
  • 7 December 2011, Vandoies di Sopra: blitz in the Villa of Erwin Heinrich Purer, to arrest "King of Evasions" Max Leitner.[15]
  • 3 May 2012, Romano di Lombardia, near Bergamo: An armed man barricaded himself in the main seat of the Italian Tax office and taking hostages. After 30 minutes the man freed all the hostages except one. At 17:30 GIS arrived to control the situation.[16]
  • 2 November 2013, Rovigo: with a night blitz of less than three minutes, GIS breached the home of Costa di Rovigo and captured three people, two men and a woman, that had been barricaded for 33 hours with the sworn threat of burning down the building. No deal was achieved. The action saw two GIS teams (15 operators).
  • 9 February 2014, Inveruno, near Milan: a joint action between GIS, Lombardy Federal Police and ROS to capture Domenico Cutrì, boss of 'Ndrangheta' gang. After being sentenced to life for murder—just five days before—he escaped from Gallarate, during transport, with the help of other members of the gang. The action was the fastest in Italian history—just eight seconds were needed to arrest the criminal.
  • 7–9 January 2015, Paris: collaboration with the French police and protection of the most important sites after a terrorist attack in France.
  • 8 December 2015-20 November 2016 Rome: According to Interior Minister Angelino Alfano GIS and Nucleo Operativo Centrale di Sicurezza operators were kept in allert during the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy.
  • 26–27 May 2017, Taormina (Sicily): GIS in service to assure the security of World Leaders during the G7 Italian Presidency.
  • 24 December 2017, Naples: arrest of the criminal so-called "O Fantasma", wanted for attempted murder.
  • 3 May 2018, Qualiano: After a siege of 10 hours, GIS operators breached inside the home of Pasquale De Falco that the same day killed his mother. The man was arrested unharmed.
  • 27 November 2018, Mugnano di Napoli: the Carabinieri of the GIS contributed to the arrest of Antonio Orlando, considered to be the regent of the "Orlando-Nuvoletta-Polverino" clan. Orlando, inserted in the list of most wanted criminals in Italy, was a fugitive for 15 years.
  • 7 May 2019: Afragola: GIS operators contributed to arrest of abscond Giuseppe Monfregolo, 40 years old, considered as an important member of the "Amato-Pagano" clan, based around Arzano area.[17]

War operations

GIS has been involved in various multinational operations, both war and peacekeeping, since its creation. What follows is a list of confirmed operations in which GIS operators took part.

Organization and recruitment
GIS operators marching in public in the Rome Parade in 2006.

Being an elite unit, the path that candidates have to make to access it is particularly hard and selective from the first phase that includes interviews and psycho-physical visits.

The competition announcement (interpellation in jargon) was opened, from 2011, to members of the Carabinieri who are no more than 33 years old. It is therefore no longer an indispensable condition to be of the 1st Paratroopers Carabinieri Regiment "Tuscania".

The course is called "G.I.S. operator with military patent of raider", because at the end of the training process the military receives the military patent of raider, as it happens in the other three Italian Special Forces already mentioned.

The carabinieri who apply are sent to the 1st Tuscania Regiment. The first selection phase for the GIS involves an interview with a senior GIS officer who verifies motivation, a key element in becoming part of the department, followed by examination by psychologists and medical doctors. This first selection is passed by 40 percent of the candidates.

Paratroopers course (nine months)

The survivors then begin a very hard training process for the patent of Paracadutisti at the Tuscania of about nine months duration (this training is almost identical to the one carried out by the 1st Paratroopers Carabinieri Regiment "Tuscania", therefore those who come from the latter are directly introduced to the second phase, namely the specialized one for the GIS).

The course includes:

  • military parachuting course (launch with tie rope)
  • training in the operational use of ropes
  • operational first aid course (CLS)
  • land guidance and navigation techniques
  • personal defense course (multiple techniques derived from different martial arts, applied to possible operational situations)
  • NBCR course on operations in contaminated environments
  • techniques of masking, camouflage, tactical movement, overcoming obstacles, ability to survive and operate safely in harsh environments
  • patrol and platoon training (standard operating procedures for minor units, amphibious operations, reconnaissance, acquisition of targets, picketing, guerrilla techniques, anti-guerrilla warfare and special operations)
  • survival techniques, evasion, resistance to interrogation and escape
  • training in the use of weapons and special materials (shooting with short, medium, long arms, use of various accessories, explosive or special materials, full knowledge of communications equipment, including satellite, supplied to the department)
  • combat and patrolling techniques in urban areas (MOUT / FIBUA / FIWAF)
  • Military Police techniques, Counter-IED, HUMINT and for use in multinational units and commands.

The carabinieri who finish the training period cited, about 30 percent of the initial candidates, are admitted to the 45-week course divided into a Basic Course of 18 weeks (exceeded by more than 50 percent of candidates) and to a 27-week "Specialized Course". Only at this point does the soldier become operational and an effective member of the department.

Basic course G.I.S. (18 weeks)
  • Physical exercises and martial arts : in addition to intense physical exercise, candidates learn martial arts (especially' 'Judo' ',' 'Brazilian Jiu Jitsu' 'e' 'Muay Thai' ') to disarm, immobilize and, in general, to face close combat without the use of firearms
  • Explosives : construction, use and disengagement of explosive devices
  • Firearms : use of long and short firearms (pistols, machine guns, shotguns, assault rifles and sniper rifles), choice of the type of weapon and ammunition according to the operational scenario
  • Special equipment : use of electronic surveillance equipment such as night vision devices, fiber optic cameras, microphones, as well as mechanical intrusion devices such as those used for breaking doors
  • Break-in techniques : methods of breaking into buildings, vehicles, aircraft, etc.
  • Climbing and descending techniques : climbing in different situations using ropes, ladders and other instruments; use of the fast rope technique for rapid descent from buildings or helicopters
  • Photographic techniques : basic techniques of photography and use of cameras, video cameras, equipment for thermal and infrared recording, image processing. Assignment to the section of the explorers / scouts will further deepen these concepts.
  • Evaluation of objectives : collection of useful information for planning an action such as the robustness and type of materials of doors, windows and structures
  • Shooting : shooting exercise especially against static targets using both a system known as FATS ( FireArm Training System ), an interactive laser system that projects images onto a screen and records all student reactions; both fire tests with real ammunition
  • Police activities : arrest techniques
  • English
  • Escort at high risk
  • First aid techniques

Specialized Course G.I.S. (27 weeks)
  • Advanced shot : shooting against moving targets and, in the presence of hostages to learn to discriminate between hostile or innocent individuals in fractions of a second; shooting from difficult positions and with both hands, either alone or in a team using real ammunition.
  • Advanced techniques with explosives : usage of explosives in the presence of hostages, characteristics and choice of explosives and the amount and mode of use to minimize collateral damage. Use of gas and their use with grenades of 40 mm.
  • Skiing and climbing : attended at the Alpine Center of the Carabinieri in Selva di Val Gardena and in the school of Alpini ad Aosta
  • Quick Guide : defensive and offensive driving techniques
  • Swimming and amphibious assault : attended at the Sub Center of the Carabinieri of Genoa-Voltri, then at the COMSUBIN of Navy to learn techniques of reconnaissance, approach, assault and amphibious combat, as well as the use of equipment for ARO / ARA divers, motor boats and dinghies.
  • Infrastructures : buildings, trains, planes and buses are studied, which characterize the possible theaters of use. To this end, the GIS have a very detailed archive of sensitive objectives such as embassies, public buildings, industries, as well as specific simulacra models of vehicles and aircraft to train with.
  • Guerrilla and counter-guerrilla tactics : to learn the techniques commonly used by terrorists such as ambushes, counter-ambushes, neutralization of opponents, and combat in urban areas.
  • Assault on Aircraft : GIS are the main aircraft assault unit in Italy. They conduct specific exercises with life-size simulacra to learn and perfect the use of explosives and other techniques for breaking doors, use of telescopic ladders, thermal sensors and other tools and techniques applicable in those situations.

Once part of GIS, training is daily and their skills are perfected with further courses:

Strengthening courses
  • Parachuting course with the technique of free fall (TCL). It takes place at the Parachute Training Center (CAPAR) of Pisa for a period of between five and six weeks, during which launches are made from a maximum height of 3000–4000 meters (10,000 feet)
  • Advanced parachuting course, lasting 3–4 weeks, for learning the techniques for high altitude launches (of 7.000–11.000 meters) with oxygen at low altitude opening—HALO (High Altitude Low Opening)—or with opening at high altitude and sailing under sail—HAHO (High Altitude High Opening).

Courses for specialties

( An operative detachment has: an Incursor with a Combat Medic specialization, a Breacher: EOD-IEDD deactivator, a SFJTAC - Special Forces Joint Terminal Attack Controller, and one or two Snipers .

  • Courses for Selected shooters : only attended by the candidates of the section exploration, reconnaissance and selected shooters to learn precision shooting and snipers, concealment and camouflage techniques, coordinated fire and use of different types of weaponry and crosshairs. For coordinated fire between several shooters, they train to use the Synchropy system, which allows the action manager to see what is being framed by the individual shooters and to control the simultaneous fire.
  • EOD Course (Explosive Ordinance Reclamation Operator) and IEDD Course (Improvised Explosive Ordinance Reclamation Operator)
  • Course Combat Medic. At national level the Incursori destined to this sector obtain the qualification of "Military Rescuer" at the Medical School of Rome, after a three-week course that guarantees, among other things, a sort of legal capacity to operate within the first aid, even if with significant limitations. Special Operations Combat Medics (SOCM) Course ", performed at the ISTC in Pfullendorf and teaches basic first aid procedures, such as stopping bleeding and ensuring proper infusion and shock therapy, and especially the prestigious 18D course—Special Operations Combat Medic "of the American Green Berets. With a total duration of about one year, the latter is held at Fort Bragg and is exclusively dedicated to Special Forces (for Italy, COMSUBIN, GIS and 17º Stormo Incursori also attend the course).
  • Course FAC (Forward Air Controller), to qualify for the missions related to the direction from the ground of the airstrikes and the designation to the pilots of the objectives, held at the School of Aerospace Aeronautics, lasting five weeks (three theoretical and two practice). This qualification is limited to the elements in possession of the necessary level of proficiency in English (which can be achieved with the frequency of the advanced course at the SLEE in Perugia). As a rule, the course is followed by that of Fire Contractor for Special Operations (CF / OS), a further three weeks. All of this is a prelude to the Laser Target Marking function (FAC / LTM) for the use of the laser designators supplied with the Regiment. The training for the use of the relative laser designators takes place with courses of a couple of weeks, which are held in the main allied polygons (in Sardinia, as abroad), or even on the occasion of external missions, while the detachments are in the theater of war.

Courses abroad

Finally, there are ongoing collaborative relationships with military departments, including foreign ones. In fact, other courses are held abroad by the International Special Training Center—ISTC in Pfullendorf, Germany, the NATO Special Forces school, and various joint exercises with the colleagues of the SF and Antiterrorism (SAS —Great Britain, SWAT —USA, GSG9—Germany, GIGN—France) of other countries.

Commander Alfa

Commander Alfa is a key figure in GIS history. He was one of the founding members and his nickname was given to him by his recruits. The old operator is the only one allowed to talk publicly and represents the link between mass media and the group. He is also famous for writing books that explain what it means to be part of a special group and outlines the public operations that GIS has undergone since its foundation. The two books are 'Swallow Heart' and 'I live in the darkness'. Alfa is also the only Italian special force operator to have officially removed his mephisto during an operation, in order to calm a child.

Alliances

GIS has very good relations with other top class CT units in the world, among these are Great Britain's SAS, Ireland's ARW & ERU, Spain's GEO and UEI, France's GIGN, United States's Hostage Rescue Team, Germany's GSG 9 and SEK, Belgium's ESI, Austria's EKO Cobra and the Netherlands's DSI.[18][19]

Weapons

Uniforms
Main article: Uniforms of the Italian Armed Forces

The uniform utilized by this elite force is normally the dark blue, even though mimetic and desert variations exist. Its reinforcements such as helmets, knee pads, elbow pads or bulletproof jackets are composed of fireproof and insulating materials.

The G.I.S appeares in Ron Howard's film "Angels and Demons", where the unit blitzes "Castel Sant'Angelo" to find the antimatter bomb.

In Tom Clancy's novel Rainbow Six, GIS and Carabinieri operators are part of the multinational counter terrorism organization.

In the Rainbow Six video games, "Rainbow Six Rogue Spear" and "Rainbow Six 3": Raven Shield is present "Antonio Maldini", an operator coming from the G.I.S ..

In the video game "Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege" there are two operators belonging to G.I.S. , called Maestro (Adriano Martello) and Alibi (Aria de Luca).

In Marvel "Europa" volume 1 0 and 1 1, the italian superhero Argento (Michele Argento), was part of the GIS.

gollark: I read that as "I want an IRC-like thing" anyway; IRC is weird and kind of complex.
gollark: I mean, that doesn't make it simpler unless you drop the cross-server aspect.
gollark: Basically:- messaging between computers within CC (via modems) is easy- adding security to that is hard- for messaging between servers, you need to use an HTTP server of some sort to relay messages- you can program one yourself or use an existing service- programming one yourself allows you to handle stuff like user accounts on the server, making security easier
gollark: ... do you want me to simplify my explanations, or something?
gollark: Plus, you can't get discussion between multiple people like this.

References
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  2. "Cp. Gruppo di Intervento Speciale (CC)". Ministero della Difesa (in Italian). 2009. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  3. Iacoviello, Giuseppe (2018). "Un compleanno speciale. I primi quarant'anni del G.I.S." (PDF). Notiziario Storico dell'Arma dei Carabinieri. 3 (6): 13–14, 14, 15, 16–17, 18. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  4. Ludovico, Marco (5 March 2016). "Intervento italiano in Libia: forze speciali e 007, ma non più di 100 uomini". Il Sole 24 Ore. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  5. G.I.S. Gruppo d'Intervento Speciale | Corpi d' élite - Forze speciali italiane, antiterrorismo, intelligence.
  6. "Il diario della battaglia del carcere di Trani, dicembre 1980". baruda.net. 19 June 2011.
  7. "Ricostruzione dei fatti". altrodiritto.unifi.it. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  8. "Quando Mario Tuti capeggio la rivolta - Cronaca - il Tirreno". iltirreno.gelocal.it. 2010-04-07. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  9. "Dieci ore di terrore". repubblica.it. Retrieved 31 December 2012.
  10. "Corriere della Sera". 8 April 2004.
  11. "Criminalita': scoperto arsenale a Corato, arrestate sei persone". Archived from the original on 2015-07-14. Retrieved 2017-07-19.
  12. Carabiniere ucciso, blitz dei Gis arrestato l'anziano omicida - cronaca - Repubblica.it
  13. "Si barrica per 15 ore, poi l'omicidio-suicidio - Cronaca - ANSA.it". www.ansa.it.
  14. "Blitz antiterrorismo delle forze speciali italiane" (in Italian). Il Sole 24 ore. 3 November 2011.
  15. "L'errore di Max: in cella teneva la foto del cugino". gelocal.it. Archived from the original on 2013-11-12. Retrieved 2017-07-19.
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  17. ""Sono qui" le ultime parole di Monfregolo prima dell'arresto: latitanza finita". InterNapoli.it (in Italian). 2019-05-07. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
  18. "Gruppo Intervento Speciale (GIS) - Special Intervention Group". Archived from the original on 2010-12-08. Retrieved 2012-03-07.
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  20. "Unofficial GIS Arms Page" (in Italian). Retrieved 2012-03-07.
  21. "Arma dei Carabinieri" (in Italian). Archived from the original on 2011-11-14. Retrieved 2012-03-07.

See also
  • Groupe d'intervention de la gendarmerie nationale
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