REOS was a direct result
of these changes in the
international geopolitical
environment. After studies
had been undertaken,
Colonel Andrea Di Stasio
was tasked with finalising
the project in 2014. He
remained the first commander
of the 3° REOS until replaced by
Colonel Nicola Basti in June 2017.
The regiment, which is named
‘Aldebaran’ after the giant star Alpha Tauri,
is headquartered at ‘Tommaso Fabbri’
Airport at Viterbo, north of Rome; this is the
largest base within the AVES community.
Organisation
The 3° REOS was created to provide aerial
support to special forces operating on the
ground and in the water. The unit is equipped
to conduct the full spectrum of such operations
and, soon after its establishment, it was
formally recognised by NATO as a Special
Operations Air Task Group (SOATG).
The 3° REOS can provide two Special
Operations Air Task Units (SOATU), integrated
by Direct Support Air Task Units, if required, and
backed up by combat service support elements.
To carry out its missions, the regiment
includes three types of helicopter: six
HH-412As (AB412s), six UH-90As (NH90s)
and four CH-47C/ICH-47F Chinooks.
The first of the new ‘Foxtrot’ Chinooks
was delivered at the end of 2014.
Col Andrea Di Stasio spoke to AFM when he
was still commander of the 3° REOS: “We are
the sole regiment in the Italian Army to have
three different models of helicopter. This is
because we need to be able to operate in any
environment, in any circumstances, day and
night. A fleet based on three different helicopters
gives us optimal flexibility. We can choose
what type is best suited to a specific mission,
we can decide to operate simultaneously with
two or three different models, or we can request
the support of Mangusta combat helicopters.
“For example, the
HH-412 is useful
in confined
spaces, such
as urban
environments; the UH-90
is the best platform for heli-
sniping; the CH-47 is the
helicopter par excellence for
special forces operations.
“Depending on the scenario, a CH-47
inserting special forces could be followed
by a UH-90 equipped for medevac [medical
evacuation] or to provide fire support. We are
the first European NH90 operator to use it with
special forces. We were also the first military
operator to deploy the NH90 in Afghanistan.”
The new NH90 and ICH-47F offer improved
performance compared with previous
equipment. Their advanced avionics allow
the crews to better manage all aspects
of the mission. It is possible to plan the
assignment in greater detail, taking into accountnavigation, route, radio frequencies, landing
point and alternative destinations. The digital
automatic flight control system ensures the
Chinook reaches its objective in the given
time. The pilots’ role is one of supervision,
resulting in a much-reduced workload — the
crew will take the controls during the more
complex phases of the mission. Another
benefit is that the new avionics allow flying
in more marginal weather conditions.
The ICH-47F’s expanded night and all-weather
capabilities are fundamental for the 3° REOS,
which flies most of its real-world missions under
the cover of darkness. The new helicopter
is equipped with a heads-up display, laser
obstacle avoidance and monitoring (LOAM)
system and an integrated countermeasures
self-defence suite. It can be armed with
two 7.62mm calibre Dillon M134 Miniguns
on the left and right sides, and a 12.7mm
calibre M3M machine gun on the rear ramp.
The regiment flies a handful of the
old CH-47C models that are likely to
remain in use until the end of 2018.
Col Di Stasio continued: “We have
a different mind-set compared to
other, conventional army troops. We
train with special forces every week.
Our helicopter crews are trained
as special operators. So we work
in a team. The intensive, exacting
and highly realistic training gives
us the skills to undertake actions that would be
unthinkable for other military units. The REOS
and the wider special forces have this mind-
set in common; this is the key to achieving the
highest efficiency and operational capacity.”
Flight crews (pilots and specialists) undergo
a special training syllabus to become
qualified as special operators. The first step
is a 21-week programme of close-quarters
combat, explosives handling, weaponry,
tactical first-aid, day and night flying, survival
and swimming. The next phase, also of 21
weeks, takes in survival in various different
challenging scenarios and more flying, including
the use of night-vision goggles (NVGs) for
special operations. Among the flying crew,
machine-gunners also complete a dedicated
training syllabus to gain their special operator“For example, the
HH-412 is usefulenvironments; the UH-90calibre M3M machine gun on the rear ramp.
The regiment flies a handful of the
old CH-47C models that are likely to
remain in use until the end of 2018.
Col Di Stasio continued: “We have
a different mind-set compared to
other, conventional army troops.
train with special forces every week.
Our helicopter crews are trained
as special operators. So we work
in a team. The intensive, exacting
and highly realistic training gives
us the skills to undertake actions that would beThe fully digital
cockpit of the new
ICH-47F represents
a step-change
compared with the
‘legacy’ CH-47C.http://www.airforcesmonthly.com #358 JANUARY 2018 // 39