Gruppo di Intervento Speciale
Encyclopedia
Gruppo di Intervento Speciale (GIS) is an elite Special Operations
counter-terrorism
tactical response unit inside the Italian
Carabinieri
military police
, first formed in 1978. In 2004 the GIS evolved into a special forces unit.
The unit has taken part in counter-terrorism operations and VIP, executive and dignitary protection security details in Afghanistan
and Iraq
.
In 1998 a group of GIS operators was deployed in Albania with the mission "ALBA" after the riot, like immediate reaction force and CT function.
Every GIS soldier is a volunteer from the 1st Carabinieri Airborne Regiment "Tuscania". As first selection, all candidates go to an interview with a GIS high officer to verify their motivation, which is a key element. The soldiers who pass the first selections go to a basic course which last 5 months. A great amount of time is devolved to martial arts (Wushu and Thai boxing), explosives, tactics, English language, topography, terrorist ideology and photography as well as combat shooting. They use FATS (Fire Arms Training System), a laser-system which project on a screen interactive images and can record all students' reactions. Usually during this first course 50% retires. From those who pass, only the best ones are selected to progress to a six-month long Specialization Course, after which they become operative members. They are trained in combat driving too (reportedly held at Ferrari's famed factory and speed roadway).
's 22nd SAS
, Spain
's GEO
and UEI
, France
's GIGN, Germany
's GSG 9
and SEK
, Belgium
's ESI
, Austria
's GEK
and Holland's UIM.
, SCAR-L, SCAR-H, UMP-45, MP-7, M249 and Steyr AUG
but are not used often. Snipers use Mauser 86SR equipped with a Syncrofire system which make all rifle shoot simultaneously. Recently GIS bought also some Accuracy International AWP Suppressed.
Note: In Italy there isn't a unit that is primarily responsible unit for CT duties. GIS and Police State's NOCS live together like State Police and Carabinieri does. Carabinieri indeed are an Gendarmerie
which has the task to guarantee public safety and to make the state law to be respected, as well as MP common tasks. So both Carabinieri and State Policemen patrol the Italian streets and both of them have a CT unit. The only difference between them is that NOCS can operate only inside Italian borders, while GIS can be called outside Italy working with "Tuscania" Regiment, when host nation agrees.
The wide array of missions and duties tasked to the GIS, its military status and its growing participation in international peacekeeping
/peace enforcing
operations, allow the unit a high degree of autonomy in selection and procurement of weapons and equipments, unmatched by most law enforcement Special units. Some of the weapons recently tested by the GIS for adoption include the Beretta Cx4 Storm
and Rx4 Storm
semi-automatic carbines (both dismissed), the FN Mk-16 SCAR-L
and possibly the IWI Tavor
, although this remains unconfirmed.
Special operations
Special operations are military operations that are considered "special" .Special operations are typically performed independently or in conjunction with conventional military operations. The primary goal is to achieve a political or military objective where a conventional force requirement does...
counter-terrorism
Counter-terrorism
Counter-terrorism is the practices, tactics, techniques, and strategies that governments, militaries, police departments and corporations adopt to prevent or in response to terrorist threats and/or acts, both real and imputed.The tactic of terrorism is available to insurgents and governments...
tactical response unit inside the Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
Carabinieri
Carabinieri
The Carabinieri is the national gendarmerie of Italy, policing both military and civilian populations, and is a branch of the armed forces.-Early history:...
military police
Military police
Military police are police organisations connected with, or part of, the military of a state. The word can have different meanings in different countries, and may refer to:...
, first formed in 1978. In 2004 the GIS evolved into a special forces unit.
The unit has taken part in counter-terrorism operations and VIP, executive and dignitary protection security details in Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
and Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
.
History
In the fall 1977 the Carabinieri's HQ decided to establish a CT Unit to counter the growing terrorist phenomena. Few months later, the GIS "Gruppo Intervento Speciale" was born. GIS is the Carabinieri CT Unit and it responds directly to the Carabinieri' HQ and to the Ministry of Interior. The focus of GIS has always been on very high risk CT operations, such as the storming of hijacked aircraft.In 1998 a group of GIS operators was deployed in Albania with the mission "ALBA" after the riot, like immediate reaction force and CT function.
Organization and recruitment
The 100-man GIS has 3 operational sections and 1 sniper/reconnaissance team. Every section is divided into detachment of four men. In every moment there's a section ready to leave the base in 30 min. Sniper team is usually formed by two snipers, equipped with Mauser 86SR, and by a scout, usually with a semi-automatic H&K PSG/1. During action men alternate in the scout role.Every GIS soldier is a volunteer from the 1st Carabinieri Airborne Regiment "Tuscania". As first selection, all candidates go to an interview with a GIS high officer to verify their motivation, which is a key element. The soldiers who pass the first selections go to a basic course which last 5 months. A great amount of time is devolved to martial arts (Wushu and Thai boxing), explosives, tactics, English language, topography, terrorist ideology and photography as well as combat shooting. They use FATS (Fire Arms Training System), a laser-system which project on a screen interactive images and can record all students' reactions. Usually during this first course 50% retires. From those who pass, only the best ones are selected to progress to a six-month long Specialization Course, after which they become operative members. They are trained in combat driving too (reportedly held at Ferrari's famed factory and speed roadway).
Allegiances
GIS has very good relations with many top class CT units in the world, amongst these are Great BritainUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
's 22nd SAS
Special Air Service
Special Air Service or SAS is a corps of the British Army constituted on 31 May 1950. They are part of the United Kingdom Special Forces and have served as a model for the special forces of many other countries all over the world...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
's GEO
Grupo Especial de Operaciones
The Grupo Especial de Operaciones , commonly known as GEOs, are the Special Operations Forces of the Spanish Cuerpo Nacional de Policía of Spain. They are stationed in Guadalajara near the capital, Madrid. The GEO has response capabilities and is responsible for VIP protection duties, as well as...
and UEI
Unidad Especial de Intervención
The Unidad Especial de Intervención is the emergency response unit of the Spanish Guardia Civil. Its motto is Celeritas et Subtilitas Patrio.The unit was created on February 3, 1982...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
's GIGN, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
's GSG 9
GSG 9
The GSG 9 der Bundespolizei , is the elite counter-terrorism and special operations unit of the German Federal Police.-History and name:...
and SEK
Spezialeinsatzkommando
Spezialeinsatzkommandos are the special response units of the German state police forces. German SEKs are full-time units whose members do not perform any other duties, and are essentially the equivalent of American SWAT Teams...
, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
's ESI
Federal Police Special Units
The Directorate of Special Units is the Belgian Federal Police's Counter-Terrorism unit. The DSU is deployed in cases of terrorism, kidnappings, hostage taking and other forms of serious crime. In major terrorist operations outside the country, the DSU would be replaced by the Belgian Army Special...
, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
's GEK
EKO Cobra
EKO Cobra is Austria's foremost counter-terrorism special operations tactical unit. It is not part of the Austrian Federal Police but is directly under the control of the Austrian Federal Ministry for the Interior.-History:...
and Holland's UIM.
Equipment
GIS is equipped with many sophisticated weapons and tools. Beretta 92F and H&K MP-5 (in A5, SD3 and KA4 versions) are the most common weapons, but they use also Beretta M12, Steyr TMP, S&W Patrolman .357 Magnum. Among the shotguns they prefer SPAS 12 and 15 and the PA3. In their arsenal there are also Beretta SCP 70/90, Colt M4 SOPMODSOPMOD
The Special Operations Peculiar MODification kit is an accessory system for the M4A1 carbine and FN SCAR Mk 16/17 used by USSOCOM...
, SCAR-L, SCAR-H, UMP-45, MP-7, M249 and Steyr AUG
Steyr AUG
The AUG is an Austrian bullpup 5.56mm assault rifle, designed in the early 1970s by Steyr Mannlicher GmbH & Co KG . The AUG was adopted by the Austrian Army as the StG 77 in 1977, where it replaced the 7.62mm StG 58 automatic rifle...
but are not used often. Snipers use Mauser 86SR equipped with a Syncrofire system which make all rifle shoot simultaneously. Recently GIS bought also some Accuracy International AWP Suppressed.
Note: In Italy there isn't a unit that is primarily responsible unit for CT duties. GIS and Police State's NOCS live together like State Police and Carabinieri does. Carabinieri indeed are an Gendarmerie
Gendarmerie
A gendarmerie or gendarmery is a military force charged with police duties among civilian populations. Members of such a force are typically called "gendarmes". The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary describes a gendarme as "a soldier who is employed on police duties" and a "gendarmery, -erie" as...
which has the task to guarantee public safety and to make the state law to be respected, as well as MP common tasks. So both Carabinieri and State Policemen patrol the Italian streets and both of them have a CT unit. The only difference between them is that NOCS can operate only inside Italian borders, while GIS can be called outside Italy working with "Tuscania" Regiment, when host nation agrees.
- Beretta M92-FSBeretta 92The Beretta 92 is a series of semi-automatic pistols designed and manufactured by Beretta of Italy. The model 92 was designed in 1972 and production of many variants in different calibers continues today...
, standard handgun - Glock 17 and 19
- Smith & Wesson Model 28Smith & Wesson Model 28The Smith & Wesson Model 28, also known as the Highway Patrolman, is a revolver chambered for the .357 Magnum cartridge, in production from 1954 to 1986. It is a budget version of the S&W Model 27.-Development:...
.357 Magnum.357 MagnumThe .357 S&W Magnum , or simply .357 Magnum, is a revolver cartridge created by Elmer Keith, Phillip B. Sharpe, Colonel D. B. Wesson of firearms manufacturer Smith & Wesson, and Winchester. It is based upon Smith & Wesson's earlier .38 Special cartridge. The .357 Magnum cartridge was introduced in...
revolver (for backup in VIP Protection duties) - Benelli M1 Super 90Benelli M1 Super 90The Benelli M1 is a semi-automatic shotgun manufactured by Benelli Armi S.P.A.. It is available in several versions for civilian, law enforcement and military use. It features the proprietary Benelli recoil system, known for its reliability and easy maintenance...
- Benelli M3Benelli M3The Benelli M3 is a dual-mode shotgun designed and manufactured by Italian firearms manufacturer Benelli. The M3 holds a maximum of seven rounds and uses the proprietary Benelli semi-automatic system first showcased in the M1. The M3 is notable for allowing the user the choice of semi-automatic...
- replaced the older Franchi SPAS-12Franchi SPAS-12The SPAS-12 is a combat shotgun that was manufactured by the Italian firearms company Franchi S.p.A. from 1979 to 2000. The SPAS-12 is a dual-mode shotgun, meaning it can be calibrated to cycle either semi-automatically or through pump-action. The SPAS-12 has sold well to military and police users...
, Franchi PA-3, Franchi PA-7/PA-8 series and Beretta M3P shotguns - Benelli M4 Super 90Benelli M4 Super 90The Benelli M4 Super 90 is an Italian semi-automatic shotgun manufactured by Benelli Armi S.P.A.-History:On May 4, 1998, the U.S. Army Armaments Research, Development and Engineering Center at Picatinny Arsenal, NJ issued Solicitation #DAAE30-98-R-0401, requesting submissions for a new 12 gauge,...
- replaced the Franchi SPAS-15Franchi SPAS-15The SPAS-15 is a dual-mode 12 gauge combat shotgun manufactured by the Italian company Luigi Franchi S.p.A..-Design:The weapon is based on the SPAS-12, and has similar pump-action/semi-automatic firing modes. In semi-automatic mode a gas piston drives a bolt carrier and rotating bolt. In...
, - Beretta PM-12 series submachineguns, still in arsenal yet mostly superseded
- Heckler & Koch MP5Heckler & Koch MP5The Heckler & Koch MP5 is a 9mm submachine gun of German design, developed in the 1960s by a team of engineers from the German small arms manufacturer Heckler & Koch GmbH of Oberndorf am Neckar....
, the most common weapon to equip GIS operators - FN P90FN P90The FN P90 is a selective fire personal defense weapon designed and manufactured by FN Herstal in Belgium. The P90's name is taken from 1990, the year it was introduced...
(in limited quantities) - Steyr TMPSteyr TMPThe Steyr TMP is a select-fire 9x19mm Parabellum caliber machine pistol manufactured by Steyr Mannlicher of Austria. The Magazines come in 15, 20, or 30 round detachable box types. A suppressor can also be fitted...
(employed for VIP Protection duties) - Heckler & Koch MP7Heckler & Koch MP7The MP7 is a German submachine gun manufactured by Heckler & Koch and chambered for the 4.6×30mm cartridge. It was designed with the new cartridge to meet NATO requirements published in 1989, as these requirements call for a personal defense weapon class firearm, with a greater ability to defeat...
(in limited quantities, most probably tested to supersede the Steyr TMP) - Beretta 70/90 Weapons systemBeretta AR70/90The Beretta AR70/90 is a gas operated self loading assault rifle chambered for the 5.56mm cartridge, and is the standard issue service rifle of the Italian Armed Forces. The weapon also features grenade sights, and is designed to be fitted with a rifle grenade...
- Steyr AUGSteyr AUGThe AUG is an Austrian bullpup 5.56mm assault rifle, designed in the early 1970s by Steyr Mannlicher GmbH & Co KG . The AUG was adopted by the Austrian Army as the StG 77 in 1977, where it replaced the 7.62mm StG 58 automatic rifle...
- adopted for ease of use from vehicles and helicopters, now mostly superseded - Bushmaster M4 carbineM4 carbineThe M4 carbine is a family of firearms tracing its lineage back to earlier carbine versions of the M16, all based on the original AR-15 designed by Eugene Stoner and made by ArmaLite. It is a shorter and lighter variant of the M16A2 assault rifle, with 80% parts commonality.It is a gas-operated,...
- procured in limited quantities jointly with the "Tuscania" Regiment to supersede the Steyr AUG - Heckler&Koch HK-53 - mostly superseded (last seen fielded during Operation Ancient BabylonOperation Ancient BabylonOperation Ancient Babylon was the code name given to the deployment of Italian forces during the Iraq War. Their mission lasted from July 15th 2003 to December 1st 2006...
, sometimes paired with the British-made Istec ISL-201 40 mm undercarried grenade launcherGrenade launcherA grenade launcher or grenade discharger is a weapon that launches a grenade with more accuracy, higher velocity, and to greater distances than a soldier could throw it by hand....
)
- Heckler&Koch G-36 family of weaponsHeckler & Koch G36The Heckler & Koch G36 is a 5.56×45mm assault rifle, designed in the early 1990s by Heckler & Koch in Germany as a replacement for the 7.62mm G3 battle rifle. It was accepted into service with the Bundeswehr in 1997, replacing the G3...
(in limited quantities) - M203 grenade launcherM203 grenade launcherThe M203 is a single shot 40 mm grenade launcher designed to attach to a rifle. It uses the same rounds as the older M79 break-action grenade launcher, which utilize the High-Low Propulsion System to keep recoil forces low. Though versatile, and compatible with many rifle models, the M203 was...
, either under-carried or in Stand-alone configurations - interface/mounting system for weapons, as well as some parts (most notably the receiver) manufactured in Italy by PMAL (Polo di Mantenimento delle Armi Leggere, Italian ArmyItalian ArmyThe Italian Army is the ground defence force of the Italian Armed Forces. It is all-volunteer force of active-duty personnel, numbering 108,355 in 2010. Its best-known combat vehicles are the Dardo infantry fighting vehicle, the Centauro tank destroyer and the Ariete tank, and among its aircraft...
arsenal) in TerniTerniTerni is a city in southern Umbria, central Italy, capital of the province of Terni, located in the plain of the Nera river. It is 104 km N of Rome, 36 km NW of Rieti, and 29 km S of Spoleto.-History:... - SCAR-L
- SCAR-H
- M-249
- Heckler & Koch PSG1Heckler & Koch PSG1The PSG1 is a semi-automatic rifle designed by the German company Heckler & Koch of Oberndorf am Neckar.-Development:...
- Mauser 86-SRMauserMauser was a German arms manufacturer of a line of bolt-action rifles and pistols from the 1870s to 1995. Mauser designs were built for the German armed forces...
- Barrett M82 - procured in limited quantities jointly with the "Tuscania" Regiment
The wide array of missions and duties tasked to the GIS, its military status and its growing participation in international peacekeeping
Peacekeeping
Peacekeeping is an activity that aims to create the conditions for lasting peace. It is distinguished from both peacebuilding and peacemaking....
/peace enforcing
Peace enforcement
Peace enforcement is a practice of ensuring peace in an area or region. Part of a three part scale between peacekeeping and peacemaking, it is sometimes considered to be the midpoint. Peace enforcement is different from peacemaking where options, possibly including force, are used to bring...
operations, allow the unit a high degree of autonomy in selection and procurement of weapons and equipments, unmatched by most law enforcement Special units. Some of the weapons recently tested by the GIS for adoption include the Beretta Cx4 Storm
Beretta Cx4 Storm
The Beretta Cx4 Storm is a pistol-caliber carbine aimed at the sporting, personal defense and law enforcement markets. Seven different models accept full-size Beretta magazines from the 92/96, Cougar, and Px4 series pistols in 9x21 IMI , 9x19mm Parabellum, .40 S&W and .45 ACP.The Beretta Cx4 Storm...
and Rx4 Storm
Beretta Rx4 Storm
The Beretta Rx4 is a rifle developed and manufactured by the Beretta Holding of Italy.-Details:The action is a Gas-operated, rotating bolt, using the Auto-Regulated Gas-Operated system patented by Benelli. The rifle uses STANAG magazines and can feature either a fixed stock or an adjustable stock...
semi-automatic carbines (both dismissed), the FN Mk-16 SCAR-L
FN SCAR
The Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle, or SCAR, is a modular rifle made by FN Herstal for the United States Special Operations Command to satisfy the requirements of the SCAR competition. This family of rifles consist of two main types...
and possibly the IWI Tavor
IMI Tavor TAR-21
The TAR-21 is an Israeli bullpup assault rifle chambered for 5.56×45mm NATO ammunition with a selective fire system, selecting between semi-automatic mode, burst mode, and full automatic fire mode. It is named after Mount Tavor, while "TAR-21" stands for "Tavor Assault Rifle - 21st Century". It is...
, although this remains unconfirmed.