The "San Marco" Marine Brigade (Italian: Brigata Marina "San Marco") is an amphibious formation of the Italian Navy, has been brigade since 2013 but the amphibious corps existed since 1915, reorganizing the Navy Landing Force.[1] It has its command in Brindisi. They are the marines of the Italian Navy.
It is a joint formation, framed within the amphibious projection force, whose commander is the same admiral who serves as commander of the San Marco Brigade.
History
On January 26th, the Regiment "La Marina" of the Kingdom of Sardinia (established in 1717) was expanded, becoming the Brigata di Marina: to the already existing regiment of sailors, was also added an infantry regiment. With this distribution, the formation participated in the 1848 at the First Italian War of Independence, distinguishing itself in the battles of Novara, Goito, Pastrengo, and Peschiera, and later was dissolved. Recognized as a Regiment in the 1861 in the Italian Royal Navy, it joined the battle of Lissa and then it was dissolved again in the 1878, following the will of the Italian AdmiralBenedetto Brin.
A joint Italian-Spanish landing force (SILF - Spanish Italian Landing Force) was established on 23 November 1996, in order to operate in international combat theaters on behalf of NATO.
The SILF was structured in the form of an amphibious brigade, consisting of two manoeuvre units, one being "San Marco" Regiment, of marine infantry, artillery, anti-armour and air defense weapons, reconnaissance and demolition, engineers, helicopters and air support, IFVs and assault vehicles.
San Marco marines
On 1 October 1999, the Landing Force of the Navy was created, under the command of a Rear Admiral, stationed in Brindisi Naval Base and formed in two regiments: the "San Marco" Regiment and the "Carlotto" Regiment, both controlled by a Captain, and the Landing Craft Group, commanded by a Commander.
The Landing Force was renamed from 1 March 2013 as "San Marco" Marine Brigade, still being based in Brindisi, but consisting of three regiments, totalling about 3,800 marines.[1] It is commanded by an Admiral, reporting directly to the Commander in Chief of the Italian Navy Fleet Command (CINCNAV).
Organization
San Marco Marine Brigade structure 2020 (click to enlarge)The 1st Honor Guard Company of the San Marco Marine Brigade at the Quirinale Palace during the visit of Vladimir Putin to Rome, June 2015
San Marco Marine Brigade (Brigata Marina San Marco - COMFORSBARC), in Brindisi[3]
Brigade Headquarters (Quartier Generale della Brigata Marina San Marco - QUARTGEN Brigata Marina San Marco), in Brindisi
Amphibious Integration Centre (Centro Integrazione Anfibia), in Brindisi
Command Support Battalion (Battaglione Supporto al Comando), in Brindisi[3]
C4 Company
Technical Support Company
Training Battalion "Caorle" (Battaglione Scuole "Caorle"), in Brindisi[4]
Formation Company
Training, Instruction, Specialization Company
Navy Landing Craft Group (Gruppo mezzi da sbarco della Marina Militare), in Brindisi[5] - mans the landing craft of the amphibious ships and manages the ship-to-beach traffic[3]
4x SDI platoons: in Augusta (Military Harbour), Priolo Gargallo (Ammunition Depot Cava di Sorciaro), Catania (Navy Helicopter Station), and the NATO Pier in Augusta
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