Italian Army Aviation 4 Regiment "Altair" Bolzano

Today we had the opportunity to visit 4 Regiment “Altair” at Bolzano. We were greeted by Lt Colonel Motto (4,000 hours on AB.205 - respect) and by Major Alberto Marchi, who showed us around and explained the work undertaken.

The Regiment formed in 1976 (as a support unit of the IV Alpine Army Corps), although its predecessor was formed back in 1958 as the Light Aircraft Section, gaining helicopters to join its fixed wing component shortly after.

Whilst the main Regiment is based at Bolzano, a Detachment operates from Venario Reale, just outside Turin. (We touch upon the work there later).

The Regiment specialises in flying in the mountainous areas – the Alps – which makes the skills of the pilots ideally suited to assisting in local emergencies – mountain rescue and the like. They provide a 24 hour a day response at 30 minutes notice (and after 22:30 they would use night vision goggles to assist rescue work). These skills have been acquired as the role of the Regiment in that location is generally in co-operation with the alpine army troops and special operations forces who train on skis and in rocky, mountainous areas.

Generally, the helicopter used, the AB.205, can operate for 2 hours but, depending on the load, for as long as 2 hours 30 minutes carrying 2 pilots, 1 technician and 1 winch operator. They can also work with civilian rescue teams on the ground and can also be used to help in the fighting of fires and in winter, the Regiment can assist remote communities in isolated valleys etc, when snowfall means roads are impassable.

The Regiment has very strong ties with the local community, a strong bond having been formed when the personnel and helicopters provided crucial assistance to local people, following a major earthquake in North Eastern Italy in 1973.

One of the unusual, but interesting, activities in support of the Army is carried out in springtime – when the snow melts. That melting can uncover very old ordnance – bombs and artillery shells etc and 4 Regiment can assist the Army in reaching that ordnance and one way or another, making it safe.

As always with these Media visits special thanks must go to the based staff for taking the time from their busy schedules to host our tour .

UK and Italian Defence Attache Rome must also be thanked for authorising this the morning on base.

Author: Peter Nelson

Photography: Michael Williams & Mark Burden