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Carabinieri Shields OEF Units

Story and photos by Terri Rorke, 11th Public Affairs Detachment

BAGRAM, Afghanistan - When someone sees the flaming grenade symbol coming their way, they better know they are in the hands of European law enforcement.

The Para-military National Police or L'arma dei Carabinieri has been supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan since Dec. 2001.

The flaming grenade has been the Carabinieri's symbol since the creation of the Carabinieri in 1814.

That same grenade can be seen on the berets of four intelligence officers here.

Maj. Antonio Frassinetto, commanding chief of the Carabinieri, Warrant Officer Paolo Salvadori, criminal intelligence specialist, Warrant Officer 5 Fabio Dagheeti, current operations intelligence specialist and Maj. Leonardo Albanesi, human intelligence specialist all wear the symbol. The team supervises and coordinates with all of the Italian units in theater, said Frassinetto.

"We are here to provide security and protection to the Italian units," said Frassinetto of the 1st Regiment Parachutist unit, out of Livorno, Italy. Although there are only five of the Carabinieri here, including the commander of the Carabinieri, Gen. Giorgio Battisti, a total of 70 Italian police serve in Afghanistan.

"The platoon (in Khowst) provides protection and security to all of Nibbio Task Force in the forward operating base of Salerno," said Frassinetto. Most of the Italians serve in Khowst, where there is more of a necessity to patrol. There, they are involved in humanitarian aid, combat searches, security, routine patrols and convoy escorting. Other Carabinieri work in Abu Dabi and Kabul.

The international police, as Frassinetto refers to his specialty, are evidently credible in the fact that the American government is requesting the Carabinieri for future exercises.

Recent editions of the Italian newspapers, 'La Repubblica' and the 'il Riformista' say that Washington is specifically requesting the Italian military police as a substitution force in Iraq after it passes through the current military phase. The police would restore public affairs in Iraq by providing stability in a future peace enforcing mission.

This request may be credited by the training and experience the Carabinieri possess.

"The tasks we carry out are everywhere," said Frassinetto, who has been in law enforcement for more than 20 years now.

The police took part in the training of the first battalion of the Afghan National Army and protected Afghanistan president, Hamid Karzai, after his assassination attempt in Sept. 2002, said Frassinetto.

He has experience, himself, having served as a bodyguard for the former president of the Republic of Italy, Franscesco Cossiga. Today, he supervises the theater's Carabinieri units.

To even be an MP, an Italian must go through an 11- month-long course.

"The Carabinieri are special soldiers for security measures," said Frassinetto. The international police perform specific activities. General enforcement, investigation, criminal intelligence, public order, riot control and searching are all part of a Carabinieri's job.

The Carabinieri's role is not certain to be expanded in Operation Enduring Freedom's future, said Frassinetto.

The MP's future role here depends on what choices are made and what operations are taking place, he said.