Italian "Lightning" Brigade Paratroopers Firefight In Afghanistan

Italian "Lightning" Brigade Paratroopers Firefight In Afghanistan

Rare footage shows paratroopers of Italy's "Folgore" or lightning brigade in a direct fire engagement during one of their deployments to Afghanistan as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).

The Folgore paratroopers deployed to Afghanistan twice, once in 2009 and again in 2011, and played a large role in the security of Regional Command West, comprising the provinces of Herat, Badghis, Farah, and Ghor.

Italy provided troops continuously throughout the 20-year Afghan War, and over the course of that time, 50,000 Italian troops were deployed, 53 were killed, and over 700 were wounded or injured.