Multinational Specialized Unit
| Multinational Specialized Unit | |
|---|---|
 KFOR-MSU Logo, 2013. | |
| Active | 1998-present |
| Country |  Italy |
| Allegiance | NATO |
| Branch |  Carabinieri |
| Type | Gendarmerie |
| Role | Military missions abroad |
| Size | Regiment various sizes |
| Part of | Carabinieri Mobile Units Division |
| Nickname(s) | MSU |
| Motto(s) | Una vis (One strenght) Nei Secoli Fedele (Faithful throughout the centuries) |
| Colors | Blue; red, black. |
| March | La Fedelissima (The Ever Faithful) by Luigi Cirenei |
| Anniversaries | 5th of June, Carabinieri Day |
| Website | Carabinieri.it |
| Commanders | |
| Commander of KFOR-MSU | Col. Ruggiero Capodivento |
The Multinational Specialized Unit (MSU), is a unit of the Carabinieri, dedicated to the military missions abroad, including the military and civilian police tasks, peacekeeping operations, crowd and riot control. [1]
During the years after its constitution in 1999, MSU units took part to NATO operations in Albania, Kosovo, Bosnia Herzegovina and Iraq.
History
Initially it has employed members of the 13th Carabinieri Regiment "Trentino-Alto Adige", the 13th Carabinieri Regiment "Friuli-Venezia Giulia" and the 1st Parachute Carabinieri Regiment "Tuscania". During the latest years it has employed members from all over Italy, from every other Carabinieri units.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
The first mission where MSU was involved was the NATO-SFOR, in Bosnia and Herzegovina during the Yugoslav Wars.
Albania
After the tension in the Balkan area, during the Yugoslav Wars , in particular in the northern part of Kosovo a MSU detachment was deployed in Albania to aid the country in the refugees management. The mission was codenamed 'AFOR. [2]
Iraq
During the NATO Mission, inside the Multi-National Force – Iraq, MSU was deployed alongside other Italians units. The Italian Mission codename was Operation Ancient Babylon. During the mission MSU suffered heavy losses, in particular for the 2003 Nasiriyah bombing.[3]
Kosovo
Since 1999, after the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244, MSU has been deployed into Kosovo for peacekeeping operations within NATO-KFOR. After years it’s still present in the theatre, contributing to maintain peace and stability in the country. [4]
From 1999 to 2012 where part of MSU also the French National Gendarmerie and Estonian Police. Since 2012 is composed entirely by the Italian Carabinieri .
The MSU Regiment is commanded by Italian Carabinieri Colonel Ruggiero Capodivento.[5] [6]
KFOR-MSU Commanders
| Precedence | Commander | Portrait | Start of tenure | End of tenure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | Col Ruggiero Capodivento, ITA |  |
September 15, 2018 | present |
Related voices
- Carabinieri
- Peacekeeping
- Carabinieri Mobile Units Division
- 1st Carabinieri Mobile Brigade
- 2nd Carabinieri Mobile Brigade
- KFOR
- SFOR
- Operation Ancient Babylon
- 2003 Nasiriyah bombing
- Yugoslav Wars
References
- ^ JFC Naples – NATO – About us (MSU)
- ^ Carabinieri.it – Missioni all’Estero Parte III –(in Italian)
- ^ [http://www.difesa.it/Ministro/Compiti_e_Attivita/Comunicati38/2003-11/Pagine/Iraq_Esplosione_a_Nassyria_p_229Carabinieri.aspx Ministero della Difesa - Iraq: Esplosione a Nassyria presso il Comando MSU dell'Arma dei Carabinieri! (in Italian)
- ^ [https://jfcnaples.nato.int/kfor/about-us/units/msu JFC Naples – NATO – About us (MSU)
- ^ NATO JFC Naples - About us – MSU Commander
- ^ NATO JFC Naples MSU Change of Command 2018