Military Order of Italy
Decree of 22
nd September 1990
Group
with undeniable technical ability and versatility, always ready to intervene
for operational needs but also for the sake of the national and international
community; it has sent helicopters squadrons in peacekeeping missions for the
United Nations. In 1979 it was in Lebanon as aircraft component of UNIFIL where
it showed its efficiency and its firm discipline, by giving proofs of courage
and high valour, also in case of actions against the squadron through
artilleries, mortars and automatic weapons. For a year, it has carried out its
missions with complete success in Namibia as component of the UNTAG Contingent,
in an operational context and hostile situation with high index of risk. In
those activities the Officers, the Non-Commissioned Officers and the volunteers
in prolonged conscription did all one can for their service, giving an
exceptional example of military virtues and helping to raise the prestige of
Italy in the international context (Naqoura, Lebanon, 20th July 1979
– 1990 – Rundu, Namibia, 30th March 1989 – 9th April
1990).
Silver Medal to the Army Valour
Decree of 11
th December 1981
On 23rd November 1980 it intervened in the provinces of Campania and Basilicata devastated by the earthquake and it did all one can for rescue operations, in areas with prohibitive environmental and atmospheric conditions. With tireless and continuous activity, it provided to evacuate many wounded people in the most devastated areas, to distribute tons of food and medicines and to dislocate containers or caravans in the most damaged and inaccessible areas. The impressive and rapid intervention of its vehicles, the spirit of sacrifice and the contempt of danger by its complements were determinant in the rescue of human lives, in the evacuation of wounded people and in the supply of essential materials. It has represented a high example of civil and military virtues, generous and courageous that received admiration and gratitude by the civil authorities and by the rescued populations, contributing to raise the prestige of the Army (Provinces of Campania and Basilicata, 24th November 1980 – 31st March 1981).
Silver Cross to the Army Merit
Decree of 1
st February 1996
After an intense and complex organizational activity that was made difficult by the little time, from 28th December 1992 to 15th April 1994 the 1st "Antares" Regiment participated in the IBIS1 and IBIS2 operations in Somalia with a group of squadrons that was part of the Italian Contingent. For all that period, even if the operational and environmental context was difficult and hostile, its men managed to ensure high standards of efficiency of the vehicles, showing professional qualities, operational ability and high sense of duty. During the missions for the support to the land units, for the armed protection, for the tactical and logistic transports and for the rescue of wounded people, it did all one can with total dedication and courage, avoiding unnecessary bloodshed and receiving admiration by the units of the other Nations that participated in the operations; in that way it contributed to raise the prestige of Italy on the international context (Mogadishu – Somalia, 28th December 1993 – 15th April 1994).