17th Raiders Wing


The 17th Raiders Wing is the Italian Air Force special forces unit. It is the youngest special force created in Italy. It is based in Furbara, near Rome and part of the Comando interforze per le Operazioni delle Forze Speciali. Until 8 April 2008 the unit was named Reparto Incursori Aeronautica Militare but with the expansion and evolution of the unit's assignments and its size, the name was changed to "17° Stormo Incursori".

Specialisations

Raiders Group

Raiders Group divided into: Command, Operations, Vehicles and Special Equipment, and four squadriglie of raiders, each of two to four detachments of eight to twelve soldiers. This means that the entire operational force will be from 64 to 192 soldiers.

Training Group

This branch provides training for the operational main force but is also capable of providing training sessions on: Evasion and Escape and EOD/EOR/IEDD to other Italian army and navy units.

Vehicles and equipment

The Italian Air Force has HH-3F helicopters to support its activity, as well as C-130J "Hercules IIs" and C-27J "Spartans". There is a requirement for a more modern helicopter, such as NH-90. In the field the operative force is equipped with the VTLM "Lince", quads and jeeps.
This unit has access to a large arsenal of sniper rifles and anti-materiel rifles to be used to knock out aircraft. It also uses mini UAVs such as the "Strix" produced by Galileo Avionica, and L-3 Communication's "ROVER IV".
The 17º Stormo Incursori has a variety of armament and equipment.

Personal weapons