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Chief Major Corporal Giacomo Russo, a combat engineer with the Italian Army’s 21st Engineer Regiment (21° Reggimento Genio Guastatori), tells us what’s in his kit.

Combat engineers have a wide range of responsibilities on the battlefield – from constructing fortifications and defences, to repairing infrastructure, to clearing minefields and dealing with unexploded ordnance.

Interview with Chief Major Corporal Giacomo Russo, who tells us what’s in his bag. Interview filmed during Exercise Combined Resolve 20 in Hohenfels, Germany. Participants were tested for COVID-19 prior to entering the exercise area, and abided by social distancing requirements wherever possible.

With a metal detector, combat engineers can clear minefields and detect other buried munitions. What else does an Italian combat engineer carry in his bag?

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Chief Major Corporal Giacomo Russo

‘I’m Chief Major Corporal Russo Giacomo from the 21st Engineer Regiment, and this is my equipment.

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Chief Major Corporal GIACOMO RUSSO
Combat engineer, Italian Army

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WHAT’S IN YOUR KIT?

#1 BODY ARMOUR AND HELMET

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For my personal protection, I wear an armoured vest and a helmet.

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#2 ARX160 RIFLE

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As personal weapons, I have an ARX, calibre 5.56x45mm NATO.

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#3 M9 PISTOL

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A pistol, calibre 9x19 Parabellum. And some technical equipment that helps me do my job.

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#4 RADIO

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A personal radio for squad-level communications.

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#5 METAL DETECTOR

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A metal detector that searches for metals.

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#6 SURVEYING ROD

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A surveying rod, also called a “prodder” to carry out a thorough search of the terrain.”

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6 ITEMS
~ 20 KG