Grottaglie Naval Air Station (MARISTAER Grottaglie / Taranto-Grottaglie "Marcello Arlotta" Airport)

Grottaglie Naval Air Station (MARISTAER Grottaglie) is an Italian Naval Aviation base located in Grottaglie, Italy. It operates as a joint military and civil facility.

The installation originated between 1915 and 1916 to defend the port of Taranto, initially housing airships and small aircraft. In 1923, it transferred to the Regia Aeronautica and operated as a pilot training center. During World War II, the base protected regional ports and launched bomber squadrons before being occupied by the United States Army Air Forces. Returned to Italian control in 1945, the base housed Air Force anti-submarine units in the 1950s. The Italian Navy's presence formalized with the establishment of the 4° Gruppo Elicotteri in 1976 and the fixed-wing GRUPAER in 1991. The Italian Navy assumed full jurisdiction of the military facilities in 1996, and the base was designated MARISTAER in 1999.

The base is operated by the Italian Naval Aviation under the Command of the Naval Air Forces. MARISTAER Grottaglie coordinates two primary flying units: the 4° Gruppo Elicotteri and GRUPAER (Gruppo aeromobili imbarcati). The 4° Gruppo Elicotteri prepares and maintains helicopters for naval units based in Taranto and supports amphibious operations. GRUPAER, the Italian Naval Aviation's only fixed-wing unit, conducts fleet air defense, tactical support for amphibious operations, and aerial reconnaissance. A flight unit of the Guardia di Finanza is also stationed at the base.

The military installation covers 160 hectares. Facilities include dedicated hangars for GRUPAER, helicopter maintenance, flight line storage, and the Guardia di Finanza. The base features an electronics laboratory for servicing military DataLink systems and aircraft avionics.

GRUPAER operates AV-8B Harrier II aircraft. The 4° Gruppo Elicotteri operates AB 212 and SH-3D Sea King helicopters. Anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare (ASW/ASuW) variants of the AB 212 are equipped with panoramic sonar, radar, forward-looking infrared (FLIR), Mk 46 torpedoes, and datalinks for guiding ship-launched missiles. Amphibious assault variants (NLA) of both the AB 212 and SH-3D are configured for supporting the San Marco Regiment and special forces. These versions are stripped of radar and sonar sensors, and are equipped with armored seats, night vision compatibility, machine guns, rocket launchers, and integrated active and passive self-protection systems including chaff and flares.