The 17th Raiders Wing () is the Italian Air Force special forces unit. It is the youngest special force created in Italy. It is based in Furbara, near Rome and part of the (COFS—Special Forces Operations Command). Until 8 April 2008 the unit was named (RIAM—Air Force Raiders Group) but with the expansion and evolution of the unit's assignments and its size, the name was changed to "".
Specialisations
Combat Search and Rescue (C-SAR) Combat Controller (Forward Air Controller and Joint Terminal Attack Controller) Pathfinder Direct actions against airbases and aeronautical compounds
Organization
Raiders Group
Raiders Group divided into: Command, Operations, Vehicles and Special Equipment, and four (wings) of raiders, each of two to four detachments of eight to twelve soldiers. This means that the entire operational force will be (at full strength) from 64 to 192 soldiers.
Training Group
This branch provides training for the operational main force but is also capable of providing training sessions on: Evasion and Escape and EOD/EOR/IEDD to other Italian army and navy units.
Vehicles and equipment
17th Raiders Wing is part of 1st Special Ops Air Brigade which also includes 9th Raiders Wing equipped with modern HH-101A Caesar helicopters. C-130J "Hercules IIs" and C-27J "Spartans" are also available. In the field the operative force is equipped with the VTLM "Lince", quads and jeeps.
This unit has access to a large arsenal of sniper rifles and anti-materiel rifles to be used to knock out aircraft. It also uses mini UAVs such as the "Strix" produced by Galileo Avionica, and L-3 Communication's "ROVER IV".
The 17th Raiders Wing has a variety of armament and equipment.