187th Paratroopers Regiment "Folgore"

The 187th Paratroopers Regiment "Folgore" (Italian: 187° Reggimento Paracadutisti "Folgore") is a paratroopers unit of the Italian Army based in Livorno in Tuscany. The regiment is part of the Italian Army's infantry arm's Paracadutisti speciality and assigned to the Paratroopers Brigade "Folgore".

The 187th Infantry Regiment "Folgore" was formed in March 1942 as the Royal Italian Army's third paratroopers regiment. The regiment was assigned to the Paratroopers Division, which was intended to parachute onto Malta during the planned invasion of Malta. In July 1942, the invasion of Malta was postponed indefinitely. In September 1942, the "Folgore" division was sent to North Africa to reinforce the German-Italian Panzer Army Africa at El Alamein. In November 1942, the "Folgore" division and its regiments were destroyed during the Second Battle of El Alamein. For its conduct at El Alamein the 187th Infantry Regiment "Folgore" was awarded Italy's highest military honor the Gold Medal of Military Valor.

In 1957, the regiment's II Paratroopers Battalion was reformed and assigned to the 1st Paratroopers Tactical Group, which in 1963 was used to reform the 1st Paratroopers Regiment. In 1975, the 1st Paratroopers Regiment was disbanded and the II Paratroopers Battalion became an autonomous unit, which was renamed 2nd Paratroopers Battalion "Tarquinia". The battalion, which was based in Livorno and assigned to the Paratroopers Brigade "Folgore", received the flag and traditions of the 187th Infantry Regiment "Folgore". In 1992, the 2nd Paratroopers Battalion "Tarquinia" lost its autonomy and entered the reformed 187th Paratroopers Regiment "Folgore". The regiment's anniversary falls on 23 October 1942, the day the Second Battle of El Alamein began.