Carabinieri Heliborne Squadron "Cacciatori di Sicilia"

The Carabinieri Heliborne Squadron "Cacciatori di Sicilia" (Italian: Squadrone Carabinieri Eliportato “Cacciatori di Sicilia”) is a Carabinieri squadron (company-sized unit) based at the “Aeroporto Cosimo di Palma” Airbase, in Lentini, Italy. The unit was established on 13 May 2017.[2]

Carabinieri Squadron "Cacciatori di Sicilia"
Squadrone Carabinieri Eliportato “Cacciatori di Sicilia”
Active13 May 2017 – present
Country Italy
Branch Carabinieri
TypeGendarmerie

Special Unit Of Police

Airborne Troops
RoleTerritorial control, fugitives arrest
SizeCompany
60 troops ca.[1]
Part ofCarabinieri Legion "Sicilia"
Garrison/HQ“Aeroporto Cosimo di Palma” Airbase
BeretRed
Commanders
Current
commander		Maj. Matteo Corciulo[1]

According to Italian Minister of Interior Marco Minniti, the rationale of the establishment of the Carabinieri Squadron is to enforce the control projection capability on the Italian national territory;[1] according to Italian Minister of Defence Roberta Pinotti, the establishment of the Carabinieri Squadron is due to the blending between internal and external security.[3] Also opposition members of parliament of the Movimento 5 Stelle expressed support to the Squadron.[4]

Carabinieri who are part of the Carabinieri Heliborne Squadron "Cacciatori di Sicilia" wear the red beret.[5]

Mission

The Carabinieri Heliborne Squadron "Cacciatori di Sicilia" has the mission to support the territorial organization in patrolling Sicily's interior regions least accessible in search for important Mafia fugitives and rural law enforcement,[2] by combining military and police techniques.[6] In particular, the Carabinieri Heliborne Squadron "Cacciatori di Sicilia" patrols mountain areas, such as Nebrodi,[7] Peloritani,[8] and Madonie, also against arsonists.[9]

If necessary, the Squadron provides support in rescue missions in natural disasters.[5] For particular needs, the Squadron may be deployed in other Regions or support Carabinieri territorial commands.[10]

The 60-troops strong[1] Squadron was established on the basis of the similar Carabinieri Squadrons "Cacciatori di Calabria" (operating in Calabria) and "Cacciatori di Sardegna" (operating in Sardinia).[1][2]

Operational methodology

The Cacciatori professional profile provides for counter-guerrilla warfare techniques typical of special operations units with the support of helicopters, as well as the availability of advanced technology equipment, including apparatuses of individual satellite location, useful in mountain environments.[11]

Organization

The Carabinieri Heliborne Squadron "Cacciatori di Sicilia" is 60 troops strong.[1][5] The unit consists of two "Cacciatori" Platoons, in turn consisting of four Teams of six Carabinieri each.[5][11]

The Squadron depends on the Deputy Commander of the Carabinieri Legion "Sicilia".[10] The Squadron is supported by the 12th Carabinieri helicopter detachment of Catania Fontanarossa.[11]

Equipment

Uniform
Main article: Uniforms of the Italian Armed Forces

The Carabinieri Heliborne Squadron "Cacciatori di Sicilia", in addition to uniforms issued to all Carabinieri, wear an Operational Uniform, consisting of camouflage battle dress (together with 1st Paratroopers Carabinieri Regiment "Tuscania", Carabinieri Cavalry Regiment, and fellow Cacciatori Squadrons).[12] Blue neckerchief, leather gloves and combat boots[13] complete the look.

Weaponry

The Carabinieri Heliborne Squadron "Cacciatori di Sicilia" has weaponry typical of reconnaissance units:[11]

Snipers and marksmen have precision rifles:

References
  1. Bruno, Natale (13 May 2017). "A Sigonella la nuova squadra di carabinieri "Cacciatori Sicilia"". Repubblica.it (in Italian). Retrieved 15 May 2017.
  2. "Nascono i Cacciatori di Sicilia. Lo Squadrone Carabinieri avrà sede a Sigonella". www.carabinieri.it (in Italian). 11 May 2017. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
  3. "Carabinieri: a Sigonella nasce Squadrone "Cacciatori di Sicilia"". www.difesa.it (in Italian). 13 May 2017. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
  4. "Mafia, M5S: "Cacciatori di Sicilia valore aggiunto per caccia a latitanti"" (in Italian). ASI. 8 July 2017. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
  5. Pierini, Ebe (13 May 2017). "Nascono i Cacciatori di Sicilia, il nuovo squadrone di carabinieri a caccia di latitanti". Il Mattino (in Italian). Retrieved 15 May 2017.
  6. "CARABINIERI, NASCE SQUADRONE "CACCIATORI DI SICILIA"". Infodifesa (in Italian). 12 May 2017. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
  7. "Centuripe e Troina: Carabinieri "Cacciatori di Sicilia" e di Nicosia passano al setaccio numerose masserie ed abitazioni rurali | ViviEnna.it". ViviEnna.it. 11 July 2017. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
  8. Loria, Danilo (15 July 2017). "Operativi su Messina i Carabinieri Cacciatori di Sicilia". Stretto Web (in Italian). Retrieved 15 July 2017.
  9. "Incendi, il presidente Antoci chiede l'intervento dei Cacciatori di Sicilia". tgME (in Italian). 11 July 2017. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
  10. "Nasce "Cacciatori di Sicilia", lo squadrone dei Carabinieri per la ricerca dei grandi latitanti di Cosa Nostra". Gazzettino online (in Italian). 13 May 2017. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
  11. Fusilli, Raffaele (4 April 2019). "In azione con lo Squadrone Carabinieri Eliportato Cacciatori Sicilia". Aviation Report.com (in Italian). Retrieved 12 April 2019.
  12. "Uniforme operativa". www.carabinieri.it (in Italian). Retrieved 13 March 2018.
  13. "Accessori uniforme operativa". www.carabinieri.it (in Italian). Retrieved 13 March 2018.
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