Amendola Air Base

Amendola Air Base is an Aeronautica Militare facility established in 1931 as a Regia Aeronautica airfield. In September 1943, the site was seized by the Luftwaffe following the Italian surrender, before Allied forces secured the Tavoliere plain and occupied the airfield. During the later stages of World War II, the United States Army Corps of Engineers reconstructed the facility to accommodate heavy bombers for the Fifteenth Air Force. The infrastructure included two runways, multiple taxiways, parking hardstands, and a steel control tower. Operational units during this period included the 57th Fighter Group, 321st Bombardment Group, 2nd Bombardment Group, and 97th Bombardment Group, operating P-40, B-25, and B-17 aircraft.

The facility was returned to the Aeronautica Militare on 1 February 1947. It functioned as a jet pilot training center, utilizing de Havilland Vampire DH.113 and Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star aircraft, followed by the Fiat G.91. In 1993, the 32nd Wing (32º Stormo) moved to the base, transitioning from the Fiat G.91Y to the AMX International AMX by 1995. The installation supported NATO operations in 1997 and 1999, hosted international F-16 detachments during the Kosovo War, and was used by NATO forces in 2011 for Operation Odyssey Dawn and Operation Unified Protector.

The base is currently the primary installation for the Italian F-35 Lightning II program and operates as the home of the 32nd Wing. Stationed units include the 13º Gruppo FBA, which operates F-35A Lightning II aircraft, and the 28º Gruppo UAV, which operates MQ-1C Predator, MQ-9A Reaper, and RQ-1A Predator platforms. The 28º Gruppo also serves as the training center for Italian Air Force unmanned aerial vehicle pilots. Support units include the 432º Gruppo STO, 532º Gruppo SLO, and the 932º Gruppo Efficienza Aeromobili for F-35 maintenance. The 632ª Squadriglia Collegamenti operates MB339 aircraft for communication and flight personnel training. Infrastructure updates include the lengthening of the runway for jet operations and the development of facilities specifically for F-35 maintenance and UAV training.