Posted on 01/18/2011 7:35:15 AM PST by SandRat
– Italian mountain soldiers, known as Alpini have recently teamed up with the Afghan National Army, in an ongoing effort to guard the front line on the eastern sector of Bala Murghab's southern perimeter.
The Alpini, who were formed in the late 1800s, are the oldest active mountain infantry in the world. More than a century after their first engagements, Alpini soldiers are again fighting in the mountains on the outskirts of the Bala Murghab valley and have built a new combat outpost, Sigma.
“When we arrived in Bala Murghab, there were only two Italian combat outpost positions,” said Alpini Warrant Officer Stephen Gagliardi, convoy commander, during a resupply convoy to COP Sigma. “There also weren't any Afghans living in the villages around COP Sigma. They were scared off years prior by terrorizing insurgents.”
Since the Alpini has secured their area of operations, over 250 villagers have returned.
Although attacks against COP Sigma have decreased, it still happens often. Insurgents fired a rocket-propelled grenade at the COP two days ago, but missed. The Alpini didn't suffer any casualties in the attack.
Even with their many challenges, ANA and Alpine soldiers rely on one another for camaraderie and keep their spirits high.
“Being Alpini means that there’s a unity among brother and sister Alpine soldiers,” said Corporal Major Mezzullo Filomena, Alpine soldier. “I like to be on the front line, out here with my friends.”
Alpine soldiers from the 6th Company, Tolmezzo Battalion, 8 Alpini Regiment, Julia Brigade,
covoy from Forward Operating Base Todd to Combat Outpost Sigma, Bala Murghab, Baghdis
Province, Afghanistan Jan. 14, 2011. The soldiers performed a resupply mission.
(U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace)..
Just remember, water boils at a lower temperature at altitude, so you may have to adjust the cooking times to achieve “al dente”!
Looks like they are using suppressed 9mm (45acp?)autos. As a fan of the Italian BM59 I was hoping to see these highly adaptable rifles still in use. The BM59 in an improved garand with a box magazine. I think it was a weapon system before its time and they even had an Alpine variant.
A good friend of mine was assigned to the 3-325 PIR before they were reflagged as the 173rd. He did a lot of training with the Alpini and has nothing but the utmost respect for them.
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