Counter-terrorism Rapid Response

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Counter-terrorism Rapid Response
Antiterrorismo Pronto Impiego (Italian)
AT.-P.I..jpg
Active1983 - present
Country Italy
Agency Guardia di Finanza
MottoNihil difficile volenti
Nothing is difficult for the one who wants
Common nameBaschi verdi
AbbreviationATPI
The ATPI in June 2007 2june 2007 469.jpg
The ATPI in June 2007

The Counter-terrorism Rapid Response (Italian: Antiterrorismo Pronto Impiego, or ATPI), formed in 1983, is a special police unit of Italy's Guardia di Finanza. It is tasked with counter-terrorism operations and the protection of VIPs and places of interest in the country. The ATPI has also participated in operations in Albania, Kosovo, and Hungary.

Contents

History

The ATPI was founded in 1983 during Italy's Years of Lead. It is the special-operations component of the Guardia di Finanza. The force's predecessor was the SVATPI (Scorta Valori Antiterrorismo Pronto Impiego), formed in 1977 to combat robberies by the Red Brigades of the Bank of Italy's armored cars. The SVATPI also escorted prominent individuals, including the Minister of Finance, to prevent kidnapping.

Mission

The unit specializes in counter-terrorism activity, supervising airports, ports, and other sensitive targets. It also combats illicit trafficking, focusing on organized crime, drug and weapons smuggling, and illegal immigration. [1] The ATPI also supports the operations of local and regional governments, deploying teams of marksmen during drug-seizure operations or tactical units for high-risk tasks, and can act as riot units in a serious threat to the public order. The ATPI is the escort service for the Minister of Economy and Finance. The unit is trained in the liberation of hostages, and has operated in missions abroad.

Organization

The ATPI is divided into 10-person operating teams, headed by a marshal.

Training

Guardia di Finanza soldiers qualify for the ATPI after passing a course. The 10-week training course, which is physically and psychologically demanding, is held at the Guardia di Finanza barracks in Orvieto. [2] The course includes training in police techniques necessary to combat public-order crime, escorting, police administration, and marksmanship. Techniques taught are:

Weapons

NameCountry of originType
Beretta 92FS Flag of Italy.svg  Italy Semi-automatic pistol
Beretta PM12 Submachine gun
Heckler & Koch MP5 Flag of Germany.svg  Germany
Beretta AR70/90 Flag of Italy.svg  Italy Assault rifle
Franchi SPAS-12 Combat shotgun; can be armed with non-lethal ammunition (rubber bullets)
Mauser SP86Flag of Germany.svg  Germany Sniper rifle
Heckler & Koch PSG-1
Sako TRG Flag of Finland.svg  Finland

Vehicles

Vehicles in ATPI service are identical to those of the Guardia di Finanza. They include the Alfa Romeo 156, Alfa Romeo 159, Fiat Punto, Fiat Bravo, Iveco Daily, Mitsubishi Pajero, and the Subaru Forester armored vehicle.

Known domestic missions

Foreign operations

The ATPI has been used in Albania to protect members of the Guardia di Finanza who were deployed in the CAM-SEA mission. The unit was assigned to Prime Minister Giuliano Amato, and to the Italian contingent in Kosovo.

See also

References

  1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 20 August 2017. Retrieved 5 January 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. Dal sito del Ministero della Difesa.
  3. Maresciallo Aiutante Pier Paolo Marino e Appuntato Andrea Esposito, appartenenti rispettivamente alle sezioni Pronto Impiego di Udine e Gorizia.