Sarzana-Luni Air Base (MARISTAELI Luni / Aeroporto "Bartolomeo Arrigoni")

Sarzana-Luni Air Base, officially Aeroporto "Bartolomeo Arrigoni" and militarily designated MARISTAELI Luni, is located in the San Lazzaro area of Sarzana, Italy, three kilometers from the municipalities of Sarzana and Luni. The facility was established in 1918 as a ground testing airfield for Italian Navy seaplanes. Following the formation of the Regia Aeronautica in 1923, an aircraft garrison was established. By 1930, the airfield operated as a flight school and a base for liaison and reconnaissance. During World War II, the base hosted the 24º Gruppo Caccia in 1940 and the 385ª Squadriglia Caccia Notturni in 1941. Later in the conflict, the 8º Gruppo di Volo of the 2º Stormo operated Macchi MC.200 aircraft from the installation to provide air defense for La Spezia. The Italian Air Force decommissioned the airfield in 1945.

In 1962, the Italian Navy General Staff repurposed the site as a military heliport. After constructing new hangars and administrative buildings in 1967, the Luni Helicopter Station Command was established in 1968. Flight operations commenced in 1969.

The base is currently operated by the Italian Naval Aviation and the Italian Coast Guard, while also accommodating civilian traffic through a local aeroclub. The Italian Navy's Helicopter Station operates under the command of COMFORAER. Naval units stationed at the facility include the Centro Sperimentale Aeromarittimo, the 1º Gruppo Elicotteri, and the 5º Gruppo Elicotteri. The 1º Gruppo Elicotteri operates AW101 helicopters configured for anti-submarine/anti-surface warfare, early warning, and utility roles. The 5º Gruppo Elicotteri operates NH90 NFH helicopters.

The Italian Coast Guard maintains the 1ª Sezione Volo Elicotteri at the base, operating fleets of AW139 helicopters. The Coast Guard infrastructure includes an aeronautical materials warehouse and the Flight Standardization Center, which conducts crew training. The installation features separate access points, with the primary Navy entrance on via Ghiarettolo and the Coast Guard entrance on via Alta Vecchia.