Future Italian paratroopers train on Caserma Ederle

CASERMA EDERLE, Vicenza -- Among the structures that stand out on Caserma Ederle is the 34-foot Joint Multinational Training Command tower, the only Army jump tower in Europe.

Not only is the tower the site for the basic U.S. airborne refresher training for paratroopers assigned to 173rd Airborne Brigade but, since this past January, it is also used by members of the Centro Addestramento Paracadutismo (CAPAR) Folgore Brigade, the Italian parachute school, located in Pisa.

Monthly, groups of Italian warrant officer academy candidates come to Vicenza and test their skills jumping from the tower.

The most recent contingent was here June 14-15, and approximately 120 members assigned to the noncommissioned officer school from Viterbo had the opportunity to exercise with some 30 paratroopers from Company A ("Able Company), 2nd Battalion, 503rd (Airborne).

"From the beginning of this year, the tower of the CAPAR is undergoing long-term maintenance," said Italian Army Cap. Marco Luchini, chief instructor from the CAPAR Folgore Bde.

"The tower here on Caserma Ederle has been our salvation because, after preparing for the jump in the third week of the training, our NCO students must pass all jump training tests in the following week," Luchini explained.

"We sent 30 paratroopers from Able Company to the 34-foot tower, along with our command team," said 1st Lt. Carlos Flores, platoon leader, 2nd Platoon, Co. A, 2-503rd (Abn.).

He added that this was the first time training with the Italian Army students.

"It was a very rewarding experience. Many of our paratroopers had the opportunity not only to jump out of the tower alongside our Italian allies, but also to talk and interact with the warrant officer candidates," said Flores.

While the training was going on, Italian Army Brig. Gen. Gabriele Toscani De Col, commander of the NCO School in Viterbo, toured the Regional Training Support Division South, as part of the bilateral relations to enhance levels of cooperation in joint operations.

"We are very happy for the generosity from the American allies who gave us the great opportunity to utilize this training facility," said Toscani De Col after talking to some participants.

"This is not the first time we had the chance to train in this structure, and we are thankful knowing that we can always count on future support.

"The activity that takes place in this facility is part of the schooling of the young students. During the jump, there is the simulation of that moment when the paratrooper exits the plane, and how to test the capability to handle the situation and keep it under control," he explained.

After performing the standard couple of jumps from the tower judged by the instructors, the following week participants did the 'real' jump from a helicopter in order to achieve their parachute qualification.

One Italian participant, Allievo Maresciallo Ludovica Olivieri, said that being able to interact with American Soldiers was a good experience.

"This caserma is different compared to ours; it seems like a little town," Olivieri said.

Allievo Maresciallo Francesco Di Carlo, another student of the NCO Viterbo School, echoed Olivieri's comment and also added, "It is always important to share some experiences, and learn new ways and techniques with a mix of cultures."

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