| Brigata Alpina Orobica | |
|---|---|
Coat of Arms of the Alpine Brigade Orobica |
|
| Active | 1 January 1953 - 27 July 1991 |
| Country | Italy |
| Branch | Italian Army |
| Type | Alpini |
| Role | Mountain Infantry |
| Part of | IV Army Corps 1953 - 1991 |
| Garrison/HQ | Meran |
The Alpine Brigade Orobica was a light Infantry brigade of the Italian Army, specializing in mountain warfare. Its core units were the Alpini, the mountain infantry corps of the Italian Army, that distinguished itself in combat during World War I and World War II.
The Orobica was constituted on January 1, 1953 in the city of Meran. The brigade’s name "Orobica" alludes to the Bergamo Alps, which are called Alpi Orobie in Italian and from here most units of the brigade initially originated and from where the Brigade drew the majority of its recruits. The brigades units were based in the western and northern half of the Italian province of South Tyrol. The brigade was tasked with the defending the vital Brenner and Reschen mountain passes. The brigade’s strength was around 3000 men and it was composed of the:
In the following years the brigade was augmented with further units:
The Alpini Parachutist Platoon merged with the other four Alpini Brigades Parachutist Platoons in 1964 to form the Alpini Parachutist company under direct command of the IV Army Corps Command.
In 1975 the regimental level was abolished and all units came under direct control of the Orobica Brigade. The new composition was:
In 1989 the Sondrio Mountain Artillery group was dissolved, as was the Tirano Alpini battalion on March 26th, 1991. The brigade was disbanded on July 27th, 1991 and the remaining units (Alpini battalions Morbegno and Edolo, Bergamo Mountain Artillery group, Orobica Logistic battalion and the Anti-tank company) passed to the Alpine Brigade Tridentina.