Aviano Air Base

Aviano Air Base, also known as Aeroporto Pagliano e Gori di Aviano, is a military airfield located near Aviano, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy. Established by the Italian government in 1911 as Italy's first airport, it initially served as a training base and aircraft construction facility. During World War I, it was used for missions against Austro-Hungarian and German forces, and was renamed Aeroporto Pagliano e Gori in 1919. It continued to be used by both Italian and German air forces during World War II, before being captured by British forces in 1945. The Italian Air Force resumed operations in 1947.

The U.S. Air Force arrived in Aviano in 1954. Since April 1994, the base has hosted the U.S. Air Force's 31st Fighter Wing, which includes the 510th Fighter Squadron and 555th Fighter Squadron, operating F-16 Fighting Falcons. Other units stationed at the base include the 56th Rescue Squadron and 57th Rescue Squadron. The Italian Air Force maintains ownership and administrative control. Aviano Air Base has been involved in various operations, including Operation Deny Flight and Operation Deliberate Force in the Balkans, Operation Allied Force in Kosovo, and deployments supporting Operation Southern Watch, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. It also played a role in Operation Odyssey Dawn and Operation Unified Protector in Libya. The base is equipped with a 2,987-meter asphalt runway. As of 2023, Aviano is one of six active air bases in five European countries with B61 nuclear bombs stored in underground WS3 Weapon Storage and Security Systems.