Gruppo di Intervento Speciale
The Gruppo di Intervento Speciale (GIS) is an anti-terrorism - Special Forces of the Italian Carabinieri . The approximately 120-strong unit is based in Livorno in Tuscany . It cooperates with other European police special units within the framework of the ATLAS network .
assignment
In addition to the main tasks of counter-terrorism and hostage rescue , the GIS is also used to protect high-ranking members of government and in the fight against organized crime . Due to the comparatively small number of staff, the special unit usually only carries out very difficult operations. Since the GIS can also be used abroad within the framework of the Italian army , it is integrated into the special forces command COFS of the Italian General Staff .
Further areas of responsibility can be:
- Police duties inside
- Training of special units from other armed forces
- Patrols in high risk countries of operations
- Countering riot
- Military police duties
- Securing and monitoring of objects and operational areas
- Use in case of smuggling conflicts
organization
In addition to staff, support and training sub-units, the special unit has a reconnaissance and sniper platoon as well as an assault platoon. The teams of the reconnaissance platoon consist of three men (two snipers and one scout), the teams of the assault platoon consist of four men (team leader, explosives specialist, climbing specialist, weapon specialist).
Helicopters from the Carabinieri and transport aircraft from the Italian Air Force ( 46ª Brigata Aerea ) are available to the teams .
Recruitment and training
Almost without exception, the offspring of the GIS come from the 1st Carabinieri Paratrooper Regiment Tuscania in Livorno. Applicants must be under 30 years of age and have served two to four years in this elite regiment. At the beginning there is a selection phase in which every applicant is examined intensively. The 18-week basic training is followed by a 24-week special training. Among other things, knowledge of dealing with explosives and all types of handguns is imparted. There is also training in hand-to-hand combat . Those who successfully complete this training will be taken on to an active team at the Gruppo di Intervento Speciale.
equipment
Vehicle fleet
The GIS fleet includes all-terrain vehicles of various types, including:
- Land Rover Defender
- VM-90 (different versions)
Boats
- Rigid inflatable boats of the Stingher type
Handguns
The following handguns are used:
- Beretta 92 FS
- Glock 17
- Glock 23
- HK MP7
- HK MP5 (A5, KA5, SD-3)
- HK 53
- HK G36 C
- STEYR AUG
- Benelli M3
- Benelli M4 Super 90
- HK PSG1
- Accuracy International AWP 308
- Accuracy International AWS
- Sako TRG 42 (.338)
- Repeating and self-loading shotgun SPAS 15 mil
- FN Minimi
- Grenade launcher M203
- Grenade launcher MK1
uniform
The Carabinieri of the GIS have not only a gray-blue combat suit but also camouflage suits . The beret is like the paratroopers claret . The members of the air-moving Carabinieri special units (Cacciatori) in Sardinia, Sicily and Calabria have slightly lighter, coral-red berets in contrast to the GIS and the Tuscania Regiment.
history
The GIS was set up on February 6, 1978 by then Interior Minister Francesco Cossiga following a wave of terrorist attacks by extremist groups. In addition to the fight against terrorism, the unit was used in the regions of Sardinia , Sicily , Calabria , Campania and Puglia in the fight against organized crime.
In its first major operation in 1980, the GIS put down a riot in the maximum security prison in Trani .
Abroad, the GIS has already been used in the following countries:
- 1982 to 1984 in Lebanon , ITALCON
- 1989 to 1990 in Namibia , UNTAG
- 1991 in Turkey and Northern Iraq, "Provide Comfort" ( Airone 1 & 2 )
- 1992 to 1994 in Somalia , IBIS
- 1992 in Cambodia , UNTAC
- 1993 in Somalia, UNOSOM
- 1994 in Israel , TIPH 1
- 1996 to 2003 in Bosnia , IFOR / SFOR
- 1996 in Palestine , TIPH 2
- 1997 in Albania , "Alba"
- 1999 to 2000 in Kosovo , Multinational Specialized Unit (MSU)
- 2003 to 2004 in Iraq , "Antica Babilonia"
- 2002 and 2008 in Afghanistan
Similar units
The Italian Polizia di Stato (State Police) maintains a similar special task force , the Nucleo Operativo Centrale di Sicurezza (NOCS).
References
literature
- Sören Sünkler: Europe's elite and special units. Motorbuch-Verlag, Stuttgart 2008, ISBN 978-3-613-02853-1 , pp. 129-130.
Web links
- GIS on Carabinieri websites
- GIS at specialoperations.com (English)
- The GIS at specwarnet.net (English)