Aviano News

  • Members of 31st SFS Combat Arms pose for a group photo at Aviano’s indoor firing range at Aviano Air Base, Italy, June 20, 2019. Staff Sgt. Brandee Hahn, combat arms instructor from the 31st Security Forces Squadron said the team put in a lot of work to get the range reopened. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ericka A. Woolever).

    “The Line is Ready” – CATM Revives Firing Range

    “You guys better be excited right now because we are going to fire today,” said Staff Sgt. Brandee Hahn, combat arms instructor from the 31st Security Forces Squadron, to her class before she explained that the firing range was running again.
  • U.S. Air Force Capt. Jheremy Perkins, 31st Fighter Wing assistant staff judge advocate, poses for a photo, Aviano Air Base, Italy, June 11, 2019. Perkins studied law before deciding to join the military. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Rebeccah Woodrow)

    CGO Spotlight: Captain Jheremy Perkins

    As an assistant staff judge advocate, U.S. Air Force Capt. Jheremy Perkins, 31st Fighter Wing Legal Office, assists with bilateral agreements, contracts, ethics, fiscal law, disciplinary hearings and a variety of other legal issues that our Airmen and families deal with while stationed at Aviano Air Base.
  • Members from the 111th Attack Wing teach a class on field sobriety testing and held a practical exercise with both the active duty and ANG members. Italy, May, 8. (Courtesy Photo)

    Working together accomplishes the mission

    Members from the 111th Attack Wing at Horsham Air Guard Station, Pennsylvania had the opportunity to work alongside members from the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano Air Base, Italy, at the beginning of May.
  • Members of the 31st Security Forces Squadron participate in a Full Spectrum Readiness exercise, Aviano Air Base, Italy, June 5, 2019.

    Full Spectrum Readiness exercise keeps 31st Fighter Wing lethal, rapidly ready

    In an ever-evolving security environment, it’s crucial for the 31st Fighter Wing to remain prepared for anything. As U. S. Air Forces in Europe’s only fighter base south of the Alps, and boasting the Air Force’s most diverse operational mission set, the 31st FW represents an important strategic advantage against potential adversaries.
  • Clearing of the construction site has started on a new military working dog kennel scheduled to be built next to the veterinary clinic on Aviano Air Base, Italy. The new facility will be home to the 31st Security Forces Squadron military working dog unit as part of their move from Area E to Area F. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kevin Sommer Giron)

    Construction will bring new neighbors to Area F

    Military working dog kennels will be built next to the veterinary clinic on Aviano Air Base, Italy.
  • Members of the 123rd Air Control Squadron, an Air National Guard unit from Cincinnati, discuss a shift change at the 606th Air Control Squadron’s radar site outside Pula, Croatia, May 28, 2019. The 123rd ACS augmented the 606th ACS during Astral Knight 19, a joint, multinational exercise designed to test Europe and NATO’s integrated air and missile defense capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Tory Cusimano)

    123rd Air Control Squadron augments Astral Knight 19 with personnel, experience

    The 606th Air Control Squadron’s radar site for Astral Knight 19, a joint, multinational exercise designed to test integrated air and missile defense in Europe, sits nestled up against the runway of a small airport just outside Pula, Croatia. For the members of the 123rd ACS an Air National Guard unit based at Blue Ash Air Station in Cincinnati, the journey to augment the 606th ACS during the exercise was nearly 5,000 miles. But despite the distance, not much has changed for the 123rd ACS, from how they approach the mission to the look of the surrounding landscape.
  • This week’s Wyvern Warrior is A1C Alexys St. Charles, a 31st Medical Operations Squadron mental health technician at Aviano AB, Italy. Originally from Joshua Tree, California, St. Charles has been in the Air Force for 15 months. She has consistently gone above and beyond the call of duty as an Airman and a Wingman. In December, after receiving a message from a friend stating they wanted to harm themselves, she quickly sprang into action notifying the first sergeant, rushing to the member’s house, and getting them the help they needed. Additionally, her favorite movie is “She’s the Man” starring Amanda Bynes and her favorite musician is Drake. A hardship that she has faced was losing partial vision in her right eye which has reinforced her personal motto “Everything happens for a reason.” St. Charles’s inspiration is her supervisor Tech. Sgt. Augustine Defreitas, because “No matter what time of day, or what she is doing she always makes time for the people that she is in charge of,” said St. Charles. Finally, if you know St. Charles you know that she is extremely stubborn and she never backs down from a fight or a challenge. St. Charles you are doing a remarkable job! Keep up the great work!

    Wyvern Warrior- A1C Alexys St. Charles

    This week’s Wyvern Warrior is A1C Alexys St. Charles, a 31st Medical Operations Squadron mental health technician at Aviano AB, Italy. Originally from Joshua Tree, California, St. Charles has been in the Air Force for 15 months. She has consistently gone above and beyond the call of duty as an Airman and a Wingman. In December, after receiving a message from a friend stating they wanted to harm themselves, she quickly sprang into action notifying the first sergeant, rushing to the member’s house, and getting them the help they needed. Additionally, her favorite movie is “She’s the Man” starring Amanda Bynes and her favorite musician is Drake. A hardship that she has faced was losing partial vision in her right eye which has reinforced her personal motto “Everything happens for a reason.” St. Charles’s inspiration is her supervisor Tech. Sgt. Augustine Defreitas, because “No matter what time of day, or what she is doing she always makes time for the people that she is in charge of,” said St. Charles. Finally, if you know St. Charles you know that she is extremely stubborn and she never backs down from a fight or a challenge. St. Charles you are doing a remarkable job! Keep up the great work!
  • Airman 1st Class Jawan Dial, 31st Force Support Squadron assistant sports director, explains the contents of unitized group rations to Lt. Col. Brian Robertson, 606th Air Control Squadron commander, outside Pula, Croatia, May 28, 2019. The 31st FSS provided food services to the 606th ACS during exercise Astral Knight 19. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Tory Cusimano)

    Services Airmen provide food, morale

    In the middle of exercises like Astral Knight 19, a joint, multinational exercise designed to test Europe and NATO’s integrated air and missile defense, your next meal often becomes a low priority.
  • U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Steven Basham, U.S Air Forces Europe and Air Forces Africa deputy commander, spoke at Aviano Air Base, Italy, June 4, 2019. While visiting, Basham discussed key topics, such as the participation in multinational exercises that enhances the professional relationships and improves overall coordination with allies and partner militaries during times of crisis. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ericka A. Dechane).

    Exercise Astral Knight 2019 boasts multinational relations

    Senior leaders, Italian Air Force Maj. Gen. Silvano Frigerio, Combat Force Commander, U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Steven Basham, U.S Air Forces Europe and Air Forces Africa deputy commander, Brig. Gen. Mato Mikic, Croatian Air Force commander, and Maj. Gen. Alenka Ermenc, Slovenia chief of defense, visited Aviano Air Base, Italy as part of Astral Knight 2019, June 4.
  • An F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 555th Fighter Squadron takes off on the first day of Astral Knight 19 at Aviano Air Base, Italy, on June 3, 2019. Astral Knight is a multinational integrated air and missile defense exercise involving forces from the U.S., Italy, Croatia and Slovenia. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Caleb House)

    Astral Knight 2019: Enhancing regional security

    U.S. Military Forces in Europe work closely with coalition forces from Croatia, Italy and Slovenia to execute Astral Knight 2019, at Aviano Air Base, Italy, and various locations across Europe, June 3, 2019.
  • Senior Airman Jordan Boddie, 606th Air Control Squadron vehicular maintenance journeyman, takes meter readings from a generator at Pula Airport, Croatia, May 28, 2019. When the 606th deploys, generators like these can support an entire radar site. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tory Cusimano)

    606th Air Control Squadron engaged and ready to support Astral Knight 2019

    The day started at 5:30 a.m. on May 23, 2019, a crisp spring morning at Aviano Air Base, Italy. The rising sun had barely crested the horizon as vehicle engines roared to life inside the 606th Air Control Squadron’s compound. Headlights buzzed on, and row by row, the vehicles rolled past a small crowd of smiling 31st Fighter Wing leadership gripping coffee cups in one hand and waving goodbye with the other.
  • An F-35A Lightning II conducts daily operations during a Theater Security Package at Aviano Air Base, Italy, May 29, 2019.

    F-35A Lighting II fly at Aviano Air Base

  • Striving to be the Air Force’s most combat ready go-to Fighter Wing is no small feat. Day in and day out, members of Aviano Air Base from a variety of mission sets and ranks work together toward rapid readiness throughout the base’s surety enterprise.

    Exceptional Leader Spotlight: 2nd Lt. Nicolas Capriato

    First by finding a love for sports, then by joining the U.S. Air Force, and finally, developing the family he always longed for, he rose from the ashes to become an exceptional leader.
  • A joint service color guard marches away from the ceremony at the Florence American Cemetery Memorial Day event in Florence, Italy on May 27, 2019. The color guard carried the flags of the United States, Italy and the U. S. European Command Headquarters. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Caleb House)

    Memorial Day 2019

    U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy attended the Florence American Cemetery Memorial Day event on May 27, 2019.
  • Staff Sgt. Trevor McClelland, an instructor from Airman Leadership School, and Anthony Warner, an Arms Control Compliance Officer from the 31st Fighter Wing, host a Men’s Positivity Conversations event, here May 21. The event discussed topics such as dating, living healthy lifestyles, and ideas to help bring positive influences into everyday life. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ericka A. Dechane).

    MEN’S POSITIVITY CONVERSATIONS

    Two black chairs sat on top of the beige stage, with blue curtains hanging from behind. Music played from a speaker, welcoming everyone into the “Conversations.”
  • This week’s Wyvern Warrior is Tech. Sgt. David Walker, advanced medium-range air-to-air missile section Chief at the 31st Munitions Squadron at Aviano AB, Italy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Robert Waggoner).

    Wyvern Warrior - Tech. Sgt. David Walker

    This week’s Wyvern Warrior is Tech. Sgt. David Walker, advanced medium-range air-to-air missile Section Chief at the 31st Munition Squadron at Aviano AB, Italy.
  • Participants were required to do burpees for each answer they got wrong during a quiz while taking part in the Police Week Combat Challenge that pit security forces Airmen against Joint International Non Commissioned Officers Development Course on May 15, 2019 at Aviano Air Base, Italy. A burpee is a four-count full body exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Caleb House)

    Joint International Non Commissioned Officer Development Course

    Aviano Air Base held a Joint International Non Commissioned Officer Development Course from May 15-17, 2019. It was a three-day course consisting of classes and workshops as well as a combat challenge. JINDC is designed to integrate the U.S. Air Force, Army, and Italian Air Force service members to grow skills in teamwork and communication. This is the second year the course has been held.
  • Families eagerly await the return of deployed 31st Fighter Wing Airmen at Aviano Air Base, Italy, May 9, 2019. Through coalition support, the deployed Airmen’s efforts helped re-strengthen the local government in the fight against extremist groups within the Southwest Asia region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kevin Sommer Giron)

    Buzzard team returns home

    Families welcomed back 31st Fighter Wing Airmen from a six-month deployment to Bagram Air Field,
  • Striving to be the Air Force’s most combat ready go-to Fighter Wing is no small feat. Day in and day out, members of Aviano Air Base from a variety of mission sets and ranks work together toward rapid readiness throughout the base’s surety enterprise.

    Aviano AB Develops Exceptional Leaders

    Striving to be the Air Force’s most combat ready go-to Fighter Wing is no small feat. Day in and day out, members of Aviano Air Base from a variety of mission sets and ranks work together toward rapid readiness throughout the base’s surety enterprise.

  • Aviano Town Hall Meeting

    Since the first Town Hall meeting in August, the 31st Fighter Wing Leadership has taken your questions/comments and worked diligently to fix problems, consider recommendations, and pursue new avenues. The following answers were updated on Nov. 15, 2018 to provide community members with the latest information.
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Around the Air Force

  • U.S. Air Force Gen. Paul J. Selva, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, chats with athletes and their families during the 2019 Department of Defense Warrior Games Opening Ceremony in Tampa Bay, Fla., June 22, 2019. Approximately 300 wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans will participate in 13 athletic competitions over 10 days as U.S. Special Operations Command hosts the 2019 DoD Warrior Games. (DoD photo by U.S. Army Sgt. James K. McCann)

    2019 Warrior Games begin

    Jon Stewart, a comedian, was once again the master of ceremonies to officially open the games. He mixed humor with a compassion and seriousness about wounded warriors that seems to resonate with service members and families.
  • The Air Force Research Laboratory’s Demonstration and Science Experiments (DSX) spacecraft in the final preparation stages before shipment to Cape Canaveral, Florida for launch on a Space X Falcon Heavy Rocket. (Courtesy photo)

    Air Force Research Laboratory prepares DSX spacecraft for launch

    The DoD Space Test Program mission, or STP-2, managed by the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, successfully launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, June 24.
  • A U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) rescue swimmer hangs of the side of an MH-65 Dolphin off the coast of Tybee Island Coast Guard Station, Georgia, June 21. 2019.

    Shaw AFB Airmen, USCG hone joint water rescue skills

    Teaming up with U.S. Coast Guardsmen from Tybee Island Coast Guard Station, Georgia, the Shaw AFB SERE specialists traveled 25 nautical miles offshore to simulate downed pilot search and recovery efforts.
  • Ghana air force delegates pose for a photo inside a C-130J Super Hercules during the African-European Partnership Flight on Ramstein Air Base, Germany, June 17 - 21, 2019. This multilateral military-to-military security cooperation event is intended to strengthen U.S. strategic partnerships with key countries in Europe and Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kristof J. Rixmann)

    USAFE – AFAFRICA hosts force development event for African, European partners

    The A-EPF is a security cooperation program with European and African partner nations to improve professional military knowledge and skills. This event included workshops in a variety of disciplines, including officer and enlisted development, recruitment and retention, quality of life programs, logistics and other topics.
  • U.S. Air Force and South Korea Air Force Joint Terminal Attack Controllers conduct close air support training mission during Red Flag-Alaska 19-2 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, June 12, 2019. This U.S. Pacific Air Forces large force exercise enables U.S. and international forces to strengthen partnerships and improve interoperability by sharing tactics, techniques and procedures for multi-domain operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kristen Heller)

    Red Flag-Alaska 19-2: Indo-Pacific ‘one team’ mentality

    Pilots, maintainers, joint terminal attack controllers and support personnel from the South Korea Air Force, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force and the Royal Thai Air Force train alongside their U.S. and British counterparts during Red Flag-Alaska 19-2 at Eielson Air Force Base and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, from June 6-21.
  • Maintainers from the 15th Maintenance Group and members from the 36th Squadron from Royal Australian Air Force Base Amberley, perform maintenance on a C-17 Globemaster on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, July 12, 2017.

    US, Australia new C-17 maintenance arrangement enhances readiness, cooperation

    The C-17 Aircraft Repair and Maintenance Services Implementing Arrangement advances U.S. and Australian interoperability.
  • Senior Master Sgts. Eric Gassiott and Dave Kittrell, loadmasters for the 815th Airlift Squadron from the 403rd Wing, load a propeller onto the C-130J at the conclusion of exercise Swift Response 19, June 19, 2019. The exercise is one of the premier military crisis response training events featuring high readiness airborne forces from eight NATO nations. Activities include intermediate staging base operations, multiple airborne operations, and several air assault operations. The Swift Response exercises have had great success in creating a foundation for the strong relationships we share with several European allies and partners today. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jessica Kendziorek)

    815th Airlift Squadron delivers during Swift Response '19

    For exercise Swift Response '19, military members across two continents work as a team to conduct training to increase the participating nations’ readiness, capabilities and capacity to conduct full-spectrum military operations. They use combined training which fosters trust, increases interoperability and enables allies to readily and effectively respond to regional crises and meet their own national defense goals.

  • Weapons School: Multi-domain integration since 1996

    A leader in tactics, techniques and procedures development, the USAFWS has focused on integrating combat capabilities across domains since 1996 when the school’s Space Division was established. The division structure was dissolved in 2003 but integrating space operations as part of the USAFWS syllabus continued under the 328th Weapons Squadron, which graduates about 20 weapons instructors each year.
  • Then-Capt. Jason Mommaerts (center), U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa International Health Specialist, teaches a class of 25 Romanian Land Forces medics on the different types of training objectives at a military medical center in Cluj Napoca, Romania, December 11, 2017. (U.S. Air Force photo by Co. Peter Vekszler)

    NATO-IHS collaboration proves valuable for building partner capability, interoperability

    Since 2017, the two organizations have collaboratively produced a First Responder Train-the-Trainer program designed to navigate language barriers between trainers and trainees. The FRTT course provides medical personnel with the skills needed to train others at varying levels to administer emergency medical care as first responders.
  • Bunch assumption of command at AFMC

    Views from the fishbowl: getting to know the new AFMC commander

    When Bunch assumed command May 31, he began his seventh command tour in a career that spans multiple positions across the AFMC footprint. A graduate of the Air Force Test Pilot School, Bunch conducted developmental testing in the B-2 Spirit and B-52 Stratofortress at the Air Force Test Center early in his career. He also spent time in AFMC positions at the Air Force Research Laboratory, AFMC headquarters, in the program office and has held leadership positions at the squadron, group, wing and center levels.
  • European partnership flight visits Spangdahlem

    European partnership flight visits Spangdahlem AB

    The visit, which happened during an African-European Partnership Flight program at Ramstein AB, was a multilateral, military-to-military engagement and security cooperation event focused on sharing best practices.
  • F-35 Lighting II maintainers from both the United States Air Force and Royal Norwegian Air Force work together at Orland Air Base, Norway, to turn two American jets after a sortie June 17, 2019. The visit marked the first time American F-35s have landed in Norway, which operates its own fleet of the fifth-generation fighters, and served as valuable training for the Norwegian maintainers. A fleet of F-35s is currently deployed to Europe as part of the European Deterrence Initiative, as as a way of proving the U.S. Air Force's ability to rapidly deploy fifth-generation fighters to European bases. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Austin M. May.)

    Norwegian F-35 maintainers service American jets in historic first-time visit

    A team of five maintainers and four pilots from the 421st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron deployed to Norway for the historic cross-servicing event, during which the maintenance teams received and turned two American F-35As after their arrival from Finland.
  • GOLDFEIN

    We are the Americas: Goldfein strengthens bonds, partnerships with Western Hemisphere air chiefs at a time of growing regional challenges

    “It’s all about partnerships here in this hemisphere among neighbors,” Goldfein said during a conference call June 17 with reporters after arriving in El Salvador for the annual event that brings together the highest ranking air force officers from Western Hemisphere nations.
  • The Simulators Division will hold a Pitch Day event Dec. 4 in Orlando, Florida.

    Simulators Division seeking proposals from small businesses

    The division is asking small businesses to “pitch” how they can help the Air Force in certain areas or topics.
  • Contracting director shares plan for acquisition culture change

    Hanscom AFB contracting director shares plan for acquisition culture change

    Tony Braswell, the Hanscom Air Force Base director of contracting, shared details of a strategic plan aimed to change the acquisition culture at a Hanscom Representatives Association’s monthly meeting.

  • Around the Air Force: Resident Bill of Rights / DoD Warrior Games / CCAF

    On today's look around the Air Force, the Air Force is looking for feedback on a new Housing Resident Bill of Rights draft, the DOD Warrior Games are starting this Friday, and the Community College of the Air Force will not accept applications for the professional manager certification program after September 30th.

  • AMC Phoenix Spark Tank establishes new submission guidance

    Airmen who wish to submit ideas to Phoenix Spark Tank can do so through the U.S. Air Force Ideation Platform website, which not only facilitates idea submission, but also serves as a way to view, vote and provide inputs for submissions Airmen would like to see implemented by AMC and the Air Force.
  • An Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon

    AF Week in Photos

    This week's photos feature Airmen from around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.

  • GI Bill Transfer

    Last year new guidance was announced on transferring GI Bill benefits. The changes go into effect July 12th.
  • Training Environment Serves the Community

    Training environment serves the community

    Sponsored by the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, this IRT is an Air Force Reserve-led multi service/component training event intended to build mutually beneficial partnerships between the U.S. Department of Defense and local communities. The mission provides service members with hands-on readiness training opportunities, while providing direct and lasting benefits to residents of each community served.
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