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U.S., Italian Soldiers Ascend Alpine Heights

July 26, 2024 |DOD News

Soldiers assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade, Mountain Warfare School personnel, U.S. Military Academy cadets and Italian army counterparts took on the Palestra di Roccia Landro climb in the Dolomites, Italy, during a training event earlier this summer.

Soldiers in helmets practice climbing and rappelling in a rocky cave environment.
Soldiers in helmets practice climbing and rappelling in a rocky cave environment.
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Army paratroopers assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade, soldiers assigned to Mountain Warfare School and cadets from the U.S. Military Academy at Westpoint, check their equipment during the Basic Climbing Course with the 6th Alpini Regiment Brunico at Palestra di Roccia Scheweg-Franchi in the Dolomites, Italy, June 11, 2024. The paratroopers learned survival and trekking skills in an austere environment as part of a series of planned training events to enhance readiness and build allied interoperability between U.S. and Italian forces.
Download: Full Size (8.04 MB)
Credit: Paolo Bovo, Army
VIRIN: 240611-A-JM436-1936
A climber ascends a steep rock face while a teammate secures the rope below.
A climber ascends a steep rock face while a teammate secures the rope below.
Team Triumph
Paratroopers assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade, soldiers assigned to Mountain Warfare School and cadets from the U.S. Military Academy at Westpoint, climb Palestra di Roccia Landro in the Dolomites during the Basic Climbing Course, Dobbiaco, Italy, June 11, 2024. The paratroopers learned survival and trekking skills in an austere environment as part of a series of planned training events to enhance readiness and build allied interoperability between U.S. and Italian forces.
Download: Full Size (9.32 MB)
Credit: Paolo Bovo, Army
VIRIN: 240611-A-JM436-1741
A climber ascends a rocky mountain, surrounded by lush forests and stunning alpine scenery.
A climber ascends a rocky mountain, surrounded by lush forests and stunning alpine scenery.
Alpine Heights
A paratrooper assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade climbs Palestra di Roccia Landro in the Dolomites during the Basic Climbing Course, Brunico, Italy, June 11, 2024. The paratroopers learned survival and trekking skills in an austere environment as part of a series of planned training events to enhance readiness and build allied interoperability between U.S. and Italian forces.
Download: Full Size (11.84 MB)
Credit: Paolo Bovo, Army
VIRIN: 240611-A-JM436-1600

The training initiative, which included lessons in survival techniques and trekking, enhanced operational readiness and fostered stronger cooperation between American and Italian forces.

A soldier ties a rope to his or her harness in preparation for a climb.
A soldier ties a rope to his or her harness in preparation for a climb.
Knot Practice
An Army paratrooper checks his equipment during final test of a basic climbing course in Brunico, Italy, June 11, 2024. The paratroopers learned survival and trekking skills in an austere environment as part of a series of planned training events to enhance readiness and build allied interoperability between U.S. and Italian forces.
Download: Full Size (4.69 MB)
Credit: Paolo Bovo, Army
VIRIN: 240613-A-JM436-1250
Two soldiers with climbing equipment grapple up a mountain face while other participants look on from the bottom.
Two soldiers with climbing equipment grapple up a mountain face while other participants look on from the bottom.
Watchful Climb
Army paratroopers, soldiers and cadets from the U.S. Military Academy at Westpoint, climb Palestra di Roccia Landro in the Dolomites during the final test of a basic climbing course in Brunico, Italy, June 13, 2024. The paratroopers learned survival and trekking skills as part of a series of planned training events to enhance readiness and build allied interoperability between U.S. and Italian forces.
Download: Full Size (10.44 MB)
Credit: Paolo Bovo, Army
VIRIN: 240613-A-JM436-1261A

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Credit: {{photographer}}
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A paratrooper with climbs a rock face while attached to a harness and rope.
A soldier secures climbing gear while training on rocky terrain, showcasing teamwork and outdoor skills in a military setting.
A group of paratroopers puts on climbing gear while on a mountain trail sorrowed by trees and greenery.
A paratrooper looks back and checks climbing equipment belt with both hands while on a mountain trail.
A group of soldiers pose standing in front of the Italian flag on pavement while clouds, hills and residential buildings loom in the background.
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As the Army's contingency response force in Europe, the 173rd Airborne Brigade stands ready to deploy rapidly across the U.S. European, Africa and Central commands' areas of responsibility. Based in Italy and Germany, the brigade routinely trains alongside NATO allies and partners to build interoperability and strengthen the alliance.

Experience: Where Military Mountaineers Are Made
Army NATO Italy partnerships

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