The division is the army's high readiness command for out-of-area operations.

The Acqui is based in Capua in the Province of Caserta and assigned to the Operational Land Forces Command.

The division carries on the name and traditions of the World War II Royal Italian Army 33rd Infantry Division "Acqui" and the Cold War Italian Army Motorized Brigade "Acqui".

In 2002 the Italian Army decided to raise three division commands, with one of the three always readily deployable for NATO missions.

The army decided that each of the three should carry on the traditions of one of the divisions that served with distinction in World War II.