User:Noclador/sandbox/Italian Army 1989

The Order of Battle of the Italian Army at the end of 1989 is given below.

The article is based on the 1984 publication of the Italian Army's order of battle by the Institute for Disarmament, Development and Peace (Istituto di ricerche per il disarmo, lo sviluppo e la pace (IRDISP) in Rome (a think tank of the Radical Party). The published order of battle, down to company level, can be found at the Radical's Radio's website (Link). The structure was then adapted with information from the Italian Army's website and its units' histories listed there. Additionally the following website was used, which lists every Order of Battle for Italy's armies from 1553 to 1997, Link. Specifically the Order of Battle after the 1986 reform was used, which was then corrected and expanded with the Italian Army's website information.

Graphic of the Italian Army in 1989

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Structure of the Italian Army in 1989 (click image to enlarge)

Army General Staff

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The Army General Staff in Rome oversaw all Italian Army units. However in the event of war the three Corps' in Northern Italy would have come under command of NATO's Allied Land Forces Southern Europe (LANDSOUTH) Command in Verona.

3rd Army Corps

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Structure of the 3rd Army Corps in 1989 (click image to enlarge)
  • 3rd Army Corps, in Milan:
    • 3rd Army Corps Command Unit, in Milan
    • Artillery Command, in Vercelli
      •   Horse Artillery Regiment, in Milan
        • Command Battery, in Milan
        • 1st Self-propelled Field Artillery Group "Gioacchino Bellezza", (M109 155mm self-propelled howitzers), in Milan
        • 2nd Self-propelled Field Artillery Group "Sergio Bresciani", (M109 155mm self-propelled howitzers), in Cremona
        • 3rd Heavy Field Artillery Group (Reserve), (M59 155/45 towed howitzers), in Cremona
        • 3rd Battery, 30th Artillery Specialists Group "Brianza", in Milan
      •   131st Heavy Field Artillery Group "Vercelli", in Vercelli, (FH70 155mm towed howitzers)
      •   205th Heavy Field Artillery Group "Lomellina", in Vercelli, (FH70 155mm towed howitzers)
      • 11th Light Anti-aircraft Artillery Group "Falco" (Reserve), in Vercelli
      •   12th Artillery Specialists Group "Biella", in Vercelli
      • 30th Artillery Specialist Group "Brianza" (Reserve)[1], in Milan
    • Engineer Command, in Novara
    • Signal Command, in Milan
      •   3rd Signal Battalion "Spluga", in Milan
      •   231st Signal Battalion "Sempione", in Novara
    • Light Aviation Command, at Bresso Air Base
      • 23rd Recon Helicopters Squadrons Group "Eridano", at Bresso Air Base
        • 423rd Recon Helicopter Squadron (AB-206)
        • 461st Recon Helicopter Squadron (AB-206)
        • 462nd Recon Helicopter Squadron (AB-206)
      • 53rd Multirole Helicopters Squadrons Group "Cassiopea", at Bresso Air Base
        • 531st Multirole Helicopter Squadron (AB-205)
        • 532nd Multirole Helicopter Squadron (AB-205)
    •   33rd Logistic Maneuver Battalion "Ambrosiano", in Novara

Armored Brigade "Centauro"

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Mechanized Brigade "Goito"

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Mechanized Brigade "Legnano"

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Mechanized Brigade "Trieste"

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Mechanized Brigade "Brescia"

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Motorized Brigade "Cremona"

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4th Army Corps

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Structure of the 4th Army Corps in 1989 (click image to enlarge)
  • 4th Alpine Army Corps, in Bolzano:
    • 4th Alpine Army Corps Command Unit, in Bolzano
    • Artillery Command, in Trento
    • Engineer Command, in Bolzano
      •   2nd Combat Engineer Battalion "Iseo", in Bolzano
      •   4th Pioneer Battalion "Orta", in Trento
    • Signal Command, in Bolzano
    •   4th Army Light Aviation Regiment "Altair", at Bolzano-San Giacomo Air Base
      • 24th Army Light Aviation Squadrons Group "Orione", at Bolzano-San Giacomo Air Base (transformed in Support and Command Unit on 20 September 1989)
        • 241st Light Airplanes Squadron (SM-1019) (disbanded on 20 September 1989)
        • 440th Recon Helicopters Squadron (AB-206) (reassigned to the 54th Squadrons Group "Cefeo" on 20 September 1989)
      • 34th Army Air Aviation Squadrons Group "Toro", at Venaria Reale Air Base
        • 441st Recon Helicopters Squadron (AB-206)
        • 544th Multirole Helicopters Squadrons (AB-205)
      • 44th Recon Helicopters Squadrons Group "Fenice", at Belluno Air Base
        • 441st Recon Helicopters Squadron (AB-206)
        • 544th Multirole Helicopters Squadron (AB-205)
      • 54th Multirole Helicopters Squadrons Group "Cefeo", at Bolzano-San Giacomo Air Base
        • 541st Multirole Helicopters Squadrons (AB-205)
        • 542nd Multirole Helicopters Squadrons (AB-205)
        • 543rd Multirole Helicopters Squadrons (AB-205)
    •   3rd Armored Squadrons Group "Savoia Cavalleria", in Merano, (two Leopard 1A2 tank companies and one VCC-2 mech infantry company)
    •   24th Maneuver Logistic Battalion "Dolomiti", in Bolzano
    • 7th Armored Carabinieri Battalion "M.O. Petrucelli", in Laives, (one M47 Patton tank company, two M113 mech infantry companies and one M113/120mm heavy mortars company)
    • Alpini Paratroopers Company "Monte Cervino", in Appiano

Alpine Brigade "Taurinense"

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Alpine Brigade "Orobica"

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Alpine Brigade "Tridentina"

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Alpine Brigade "Cadore"

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Alpine Brigade "Julia"

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5th Army Corps

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Structure of the 5th Army Corps in 1989 (click image to enlarge)

Armored Brigade "Mameli"

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Armored Brigade "Ariete"

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Armored Brigade "Pozzuolo del Friuli"

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Mechanized Brigade "Garibaldi"

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Mechanized Brigade "Vittorio Veneto"

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Mechanized Brigade "Gorizia"

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Mechanized Brigade "Mantova"

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Amphibious Troops Command

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3rd Missile Brigade "Aquileia"

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Northwestern Military Region

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  • Northwestern Military Region (R.M.N.O.), in Turin, responsible for the regions of Piedmont, Aosta, Liguria and Lombardy
    • R.M.N.O. Command Unit, in Turin
    •   4th Infantry (Recruits Training) Battalion "Guastalla", in Asti
    •   11th Infantry (Recruits Training) Battalion "Casale", in Casale Monferrato
    •   14th Bersaglieri (Recruits Training) Battalion "Sernaglia", in Albenga
    •   16th Infantry (Recruits Training) Battalion "Savona", in Savona
    •   23rd Infantry (Recruits Training) Battalion "Como", in Como
    •   26th Infantry (Recruits Training) Battalion "Bergamo", in Diano Castello
    •   72nd Infantry (Recruits Training) Battalion "Puglie", in Albenga
    •   41st Signal Battalion "Fréjus", in Turin
    •   1st Mixed Transport Battalion "Monviso", in Turin
    • 1st Supply Unit, in Alessandria
    • 1st Provisions Supply Company, in Turin
    • 1st Medical Company, in Milan
    • Main Military Hospital, in Milan
    • Military Hospital Type A, in Turin
    • Military Hospital Type B, in Genoa
    • Military Hospital Type B, in Brescia
  •   Alpine Military School, in Aosta
    • Command Company, in Aosta
    •   Alpini Battalion "Aosta", in Aosta (from 9 November 1989 "Tactical and Logistic Support Battalion "Aosta")
    • Training Battalion, in Aosta
    • Logistic Company, in Aosta
  • "Piemonte" Motorized Brigade (Wartime mobilization)
    • Command and Signal Unit (to be formed by elements of the Northwest Military Command and the Alpine Military School)
    • 117th Motorized Infantry Battalion (from the "Mondovì" Alpini Recruits Training Battalion)
    • 217th Motorized Infantry Battalion (from the 4th Infantry Recruits Training Battalion "Guastalla)
    • 317th Motorized Infantry Battalion (from the "Aosta" Alpini Battalion)
    • 117th Field Artillery Group (M114 155mm towed howitzers, from 3rd Corps elements)
    • Logistic Battalion "Piemonte" (from 3rd Corps elements)
    • Engineer Company "Piemonte" (from the 131st Combat Engineers Battalion "Ticino")

Northeastern Military Region

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Tuscan-Emilian Military Region

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Paratroopers Brigade "Folgore"

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Motorized Brigade "Friuli"

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  •   Motorized Brigade "Friuli", in Florence
    •   Command and Signal Unit "Friuli", in Florence
    •   19th Armored Battalion "M.O. Tumiati", in Florence (two Leopard 1A2 tank companies and one VCC-2 mech infantry company)
    • 35th Motorized (Reserve) Infantry Battalion "Pistoia", in Pistoia
    •   78th Motorized Infantry Battalion "Lupi di Toscana", in Scandicci
    •   87th Motorized Infantry Battalion "Senio", in Pistoia
    •   225th Infantry (Recruits Training) Battalion "Arezzo", in Arezzo
    •   35th Field Artillery Group "Riolo" in Pistoia, (two batteries with M114 155mm towed howitzers, one battery with M56 105mm pack howitzers and one battery with Stinger AA Missiles)
    •   Logistic Battalion "Friuli", in Coverciano
    • Anti-tank Company "Friuli", in Scandicci
    • Engineer Company "Friuli", in Florence

Central Military Region

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  • Central Military Region (R.M.C.), in Rome, responsible for the regions Lazio, Molise, Marche, Abruzzo and Umbria
    • R.M.C. Command Unit, in Rome
    •   "'Cavalry and Infantry School"', in Cesano
      • 77th Mechanized (Recruits Training) Battalion "M.O. Mattei", in Cesano (become Tactical and Logistic Support Battalion "M.O.Mattei" on 25 July 1989)
    •   "'Artillery School"', in Bracciano
      •   1st Artillery (Training) Group "Cacciatore delle Alpi", in Bracciano
        • 1st battery with M114 155mm towed howitzers
        • 2nd battery with FH-70 155mm towed howitzers
        • 3rd battery with M109 self-propelled howitzers
        • 4th battery with SP-70 self-propelled howitzers and MLRS (disbanded during 1989)
    •   "'Engineer School"', in Rome
      • 4th Engineer (Recruits Training) Battalion "M.O. Montorsi", in Rome
    •   8th Mechanized Squadrons Group "Lancieri di Montebello", in Rome
    •   28th Infantry (Recruits Training) Battalion "Pavia", in Pesaro
    •   80th Infantry (Recruits Training) Battalion "Roma", in Cassino
    •   84th Infantry (Recruits Training) Battalion "Venezia", in Falconara Marittima
    •   123rd Infantry (Recruits Training) Battalion "Chieti", in Chieti
    •   6th Engineer Battalion "Trasimeno", in Rome
    •   44th Signal Battalion "Penne", in Rome
      • 26th Signal Company, in Rome
    •   8th Mixed Transport Battalion "Casilina", in Rome
    • 28th Army Light Aviation Squadrons Group "Tucano", at Roma-Urbe Air Base
      • 281st Light Airplanes Squadron (SM-1019)
      • 428th Recon Helicopters Squadron (AB-206)
    • "Lazio" Mechanized Brigade (Wartime mobilization)
      • Command and Signal Unit (to be formed by elements of the Central Military Command and the Infantry and Cavalry Military School)
      • 8th Mechanized Squadron Group "Lancieri di Montebello" (see above)
      • 77th Mechanized Infantry Battalion (see above)
      • 80th Motorized Infantry Battalion (from the 80th Infantry Training Battalion "Roma")
      • 1st Artillery Group "Cacciatori delle Alpi" (see above)
      • Logistic Battalion "Lazio" (from the Transports and Materials School)
      • Engineer Company "Lazio" (from the Engineers School)

Mechanized Brigade "Granatieri di Sardegna"

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Motorized Brigade "Acqui"

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Southern Military Region

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  • Southern Military Region (R.M.M.), in Naples, responsible for the regions of Apulia, Basilicata, Campania and Calabria
    • R.M.M. Command Unit, in Naples
    •   Armored Troops School, in Lecce
      • Command Unit, in Lecce
      • 21st Tank (Recruits Training) Battalion "M.O. Scognamiglio" (Reserve), in Lecce
      • 31st Tank (Recruits Training) Battalion "M.O. Andreani", in Lecce
      • Logistic Unit, in Lecce
    •   47th Infantry (Recruits Training) Battalion "Salento", in Barletta
    •   48th Infantry (Recruits Training) Battalion "Ferrara", in Bari
    •   89th Infantry (Recruits Training) Battalion "Salerno", in Salerno
    •   91st Infantry (Recruits Training) Battalion "Lucania", in Potenza
    •   244th Infantry (Recruits Training) Battalion "Cosenza", in Cosenza
    •   2nd Field Artillery Group "Potenza", in Barletta, (M114 155mm towed howitzers)
    •   9th Field Artillery Group "Foggia", in Foggia, (M114 155mm towed howitzers)
    • 10th Artillery Specialists Battery, in Foggia
    •   21st Engineer Battalion "Timavo", in Caserta
    •   45th Signal Battalion "Vulture", in Naples
    •   10th Mixed Transport Battalion "Appia", in Naples
    • Logistic Battalion "Persano" , in Persano (activated 30 April 1989 to prepare for the arrival of the "Garibaldi" Brigade)
    • 20th Army Light Aviation Squadrons Group "Andromeda", at Salerno-Pontecagnano Air Base
      • 201st Light Airplanes Squadron (SM-1019)
      • 420th Recon Helicopters Squadron (AB-206)
      • 520th Multirole Helicopters Squadron (AB-212)
    • 10th Supply Unit, in Bari
    • 10th Provisions Supply Company, in Naples
    • 10th Medical Company, in Bari
    • Military Hospital Type A, in Bari
    • Military Hospital Type A, in Caserta
    • Military Hospital Type B, in Naples
    • Military Hospital Type B, in Catanzaro
    • "Puglie" Armoured Brigade (Wartime mobilization)
      • Command and Signal Unit (to be formed by elements of the Southern Military Region Command and the Armored Troops School)
      • 21st Armored Battalion "M.O. Scognamiglio" (see above)
      • 31st Armored Battalion "M.O. Andreani"(see above)
      • Motorized Infantry Battalion (from Infantry Training Battalions)
      • Artillery Group (from Southern Military Region assets)
      • Logistic Battalion "Puglie" (from Southern Military Region and Armored Troops School)
      • Engineer Company "Puglie" (from Southern Military Region assets)

Mechanized Brigade "Pinerolo"

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Sicily Military Region

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  • Sicily Military Region (R.M.SI.), in Palermo (Sicily region)[9]
    • R.M.SI. Command Unit, in Palermo
    •   60th Infantry (Recruits Training) Battalion "Col di Lana", in Trapani[10]
    •   51st Engineer Battalion "Simeto", in Palermo (raised 1 October 1983)[11]
    •   46th Signal Battalion "Mongibello", in Palermo[12]
    •   11th Transport Battalion "Etnea"[13]
    • 30th Army Light Aviation Squadrons Group "Pegaso", at Catania-Fontanarossa Air Base[14]
      • 301st Light Airplanes Squadron (SM.1019A planes)
      • 430th Reconnaissance Helicopters Squadron (AB 206 reconnaissance helicopters)
      • 530th Multirole Helicopters Squadron (AB 204B/205 multirole helicopters)
    • 11th Supply Unit, in Messina
    • 11th Medical Company, in Palermo
    • 11th Provisions Supply Company, in Palermo
    • 11th Army Repair Workshop, in Palermo
    • Type B Military Hospital, in Palermo
    • Type B Military Hospital, in Messina
    • Infantry Battalion "isole Minori", on Pantelleria island

Motorized Brigade "Aosta"

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Sardinia Military Command

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  • Sardinia Military Command (CMS), in Cagliari, responsible for the island of Sardinia
    • CMS Command Unit, in Cagliari
    •   45th Infantry (Recruits Training) Battalion "Arborea", in Macomer
    • 21st Army Light Aviation Squadrons Group "Orsa Maggiore", at Cagliari-Elmas Air Base
      • 211st Light Airplanes Squadron (SM-1019)
      • 421st Recon Helicopters Squadron (AB-206)
      • 521st Multirole Helicopters Squadron (AB-205)
    •   47th Signal Battalion "Gennargentu", in Cagliari
    • 12th Mixed Transport Unit, in Cagliari
    • 12th Supply Unit, in Nuoro
    • 12th Medical Company, in Cagliari
    • 12th Provisions Supply Company, in Cagliari
    • Military Hospital Type B, in Cagliari

Motorized Brigade "Sassari"

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Anti-aircraft Artillery Command

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  •   Anti-aircraft Artillery Command, in Padua
    • Command Unit, in Padua
    •   4th Anti-aircraft Missile Artillery Regiment "Peschiera", in Mantua
      • Command Battery, Mantua
      • 1st Anti-aircraft Missile Artillery Group, in Ravenna, (MIM-23 Hawk surface-to-air missiles)
      • 2nd Anti-aircraft Missile Artillery Group, in Mantua, (MIM-23 Hawk surface-to-air missiles)
      • 24th Signal Company, in Mantua
    •   5th Anti-aircraft Missile Artillery Regiment "Pescara", in Mestre
      • Command Battery, Mestre
      • 1st Anti-aircraft Missile Artillery Group, in San Donà di Piave, (MIM-23 Hawk surface-to-air missiles)
      • 2nd Anti-aircraft Missile Artillery Group, in Rovigo, (MIM-23 Hawk surface-to-air missiles)
      • 25th Signal Company, in Mestre
    •   121st Light Anti-aircraft Artillery Regiment "Ravenna", in Bologna
      • 1st Light Anti-aircraft Artillery Group, in Bologna
      • 2nd Light Anti-aircraft Artillery Group, in Mestre
      • 3rd Light Anti-aircraft Artillery Group, in Rimini
      • 4th Light Anti-aircraft Artillery Group, in Ferrara
    •   17th Light Anti-aircraft Artillery Group "Sforzesca", at Villafranca Air Base
      • Command Battery, at Villafranca Air Base
      • 1st Light Anti-aircraft Artillery Battery, at Villafranca Air Base
      • 2nd Light Anti-aircraft Artillery Battery, at Ghedi Air Base
      • 3rd Light Anti-aircraft Artillery Battery, at Istrana Air Base
      • 4th Light Anti-aircraft Artillery Battery, at Rimini Air Base
      • 5th Light Anti-aircraft Artillery Battery, at Cervia Air Base
    • 21st Light Anti-aircraft Artillery Group "Sparviero" (Reserve), in Villafranca
    • 22nd Light Anti-aircraft Artillery Group "Alcione" (Reserve), in Bologna
    •   235th Infantry (Recruits Training) Battalion "Piceno", in Ascoli Piceno
    • Anti-aircraft Missiles Supply and Repairs Unit, in Montichiari
    • Anti-aircraft Artillery Materiel Supply and Repairs Unit, in Bologna

Units directly reporting to the Army General Staff

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ With one permanent operational battery attached to the Horse Artillery Regiment in Milan, see above.
  2. ^ Its 262nd company was fully operational (see above), with 13 other companies to be manned from reservists in case of mobilization and assigned to the extensive network of bunkers and fortified strongpoints defending the passes and road chokepoints in the North-Eastern alpine area.
  3. ^ The only Alpini unit not deployed in northern Italy, it was located and fully recruited in the central Italy Abruzzo region on the Apennine Mountains
  4. ^ With 4 operational companies and 12 other companies to be manned from reservists in case of mobilization and assigned to the extensive network of bunkers and fortified strongpoints defending the passes and road chokepoints in the North-Eastern alpine area.
  5. ^ Very overstrenght allocation of weapons, with 30 howitzers instead of the normal 18. It case of mobilization it would have fielded two extra batteries manned by reservists.
  6. ^ The Group fielded an extra battery with M56 pack howitzers, detached in support of the "L'Aquila" battalion
  7. ^ Additional detached battery of the "Conegliano" group, deployed in central Italy in support if the "L'Aquila" Battalion (see above)
  8. ^ Deployed in over a dozen permanent fixed fortified positions.
  9. ^ Franco dell'Uomo, Rodolfo Puletti (1998). L'Esercito Italiano verso il 2000 - Volume Primo - Tomo I. Rome: Stato Maggiore dell'Esercito - Ufficio Storico. p. 41.
  10. ^ Franco dell'Uomo, Rodolfo Puletti (1998). L'Esercito Italiano verso il 2000 - Volume Primo - Tomo I. Rome: Stato Maggiore dell'Esercito - Ufficio Storico. p. 306.
  11. ^ "LI Battaglione Misto Genio". Esercito Italiano. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  12. ^ "46° Reggimento Trasmissioni - La Storia". Esercito Italiano. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  13. ^ Franco dell'Uomo, Rodolfo Puletti (1998). L'Esercito Italiano verso il 2000 - Volume Primo - Tomo II. Rome: Stato Maggiore dell'Esercito - Ufficio Storico. p. 411.
  14. ^ Cerbo, Giovanni (1996). L'Aviazione dell'Esercito - Dalle origini ai giorni nostri. Rome: Rivista Militare. p. 128. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h "Brigata "Aosta" - La Storia". Esercito Italiano. Retrieved 16 November 2018.
  16. ^ Franco dell'Uomo, Rodolfo Puletti (1998). L'Esercito Italiano verso il 2000 - Volume Primo - Tomo I. Rome: Stato Maggiore dell'Esercito - Ufficio Storico. p. 61.
  17. ^ Franco dell'Uomo, Rodolfo Puletti (1998). L'Esercito Italiano verso il 2000 - Volume Primo - Tomo I. Rome: Stato Maggiore dell'Esercito - Ufficio Storico. p. 212.
  18. ^ "Reparto Comando e Supporti Tattici "Aosta"". Esercito Italiano. Retrieved 16 November 2018.
  19. ^ "5° Reggimento Fanteria "Aosta" - La Storia". Esercito Italiano. Retrieved 16 November 2018.
  20. ^ "62° Reggimento Fanteria "Sicilia" - La Storia". Esercito Italiano. Retrieved 16 November 2018.
  21. ^ Franco dell'Uomo, Rodolfo Puletti (1998). L'Esercito Italiano verso il 2000 - Volume Primo - Tomo I. Rome: Stato Maggiore dell'Esercito - Ufficio Storico. p. 373.
  22. ^ Franco dell'Uomo, Roberto di Rosa (2001). L'Esercito Italiano verso il 2000 - Volume Secondo - Tomo I. Rome: Stato Maggiore dell'Esercito - Ufficio Storico. p. 533.
  23. ^ "24° Reggimento artiglieria terrestre "Peloritani" - La Storia". Esercito Italiano. Retrieved 16 November 2018.
  24. ^ Franco dell'Uomo, Rodolfo Puletti (1998). L'Esercito Italiano verso il 2000 - Volume Primo - Tomo II. Rome: Stato Maggiore dell'Esercito - Ufficio Storico. p. 119.