LASIZE, Italy -- Italian Paratroopers from the 4th Alpini Regiment joined U.S. Army paratroopers from 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regt., 173rd Airborne Brigade to conduct a combined, fixed-wing airborne operation into Lake Garda, Italy, here May 12, 2015.
The jump highlighted the interoperability between the 173rd and its NATO Ally and host-nation Italy. In coordination with the 4th Alpini, and with the support of the U.S. Air Force and the mayor of Lasize, it was a combined effort to plan and execute the event. As thousands of residents, Lake Garda tourists and American and Italian military families watched from the shore, approximately 200 paratroopers jumped from the ramp of a U.S. C-130 aircraft above the lake, where Italian boats from the Alpini recovered each paratrooper and their chute from the water.
"What is new is the joint training with the Sky Soldiers, already done in the Alps and in other places in Italy, however never in Lake Garda," said Italian Army Col. Salvatore Paolo Radizza, commander of the 4th Alpini Regt.
The water jump not only strengthened the partnership between the American and Italian Armies, but also between the Americans and their host and neighbor communities in Italy.
During a press conference on the shore, U.S. Army Lt. Col. Patrick Wilkins, commander of 1st Battalion, presented the city of Lasize with honorary American jump wings to Lasize Mayor Luca Sebastiano.
"Today is a special moment that will always stay with us along with the jumps in this wonderful landscape: a sign of honor and respect for the NATO alliance that binds us," said Wilkins.
Sebastiano, along with Radizza, joined the Americans at the podium and expressed their thoughts on the importance of the event, and their gratitude in taking part.
"It is an honor for us to host this exercise,"said Sebastiano. "For us, America is a symbol of freedom and justice, and it is with admiration that we renew the invitation for future events such as this."
The paratroopers also offered a moment of silence remembering the deaths of 24 American soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division who died 70 years ago on Lake Garda in the final days of World War II.
The 173rd Airborne Brigade is the Army Contingency Response Force in Europe, capable of deploying ready forces across the U.S. European, Africa and Central Commands areas of responsibility in 18 hours or less.
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