Aviano News

  • The bilateral training exercise enhanced partner interoperability, maintained joint readiness, and assured U.S. regional allies.

    Exercise Agile Buzzard boosts regional security and coalition operations

    U.S. Air Force Airmen and F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 31st Fighter Wing rapidly deployed to Decimomannu Air Base, Italy, Jan. 13 -16, for exercise Agile Buzzard.
  • U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jeremy McManus, 319th Recruiting Squadron European operations program manager, poses for a photo at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Jan. 14, 2020. Aviano’s recruiting office is located on Area F, Bldg. 1467, 2nd floor, Rm. 202. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ericka A. Woolever).

    Your future is waiting: APPLY NOW

    For the last eight years, it’s been quite a challenge for applicants to join the U.S. Air Force while living in Italy. However, this has recently changed as Aviano now has its own enlisted active duty recruiter.

  • Town Hall Community Updates - January 2020

    The town hall series provides a venue for updating the community on quality-of-life improvements and for leadership to hear suggestions and feedback from the community. The following are updates on topics that were discussed at the last town hall here on August 13, 2019.
  • U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jackson Judge, explosive ordnance team member from the 31 Civil Engineer Squadron, searches for hazards during a training exercise at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Jan. 8, 2020. EOD Airmen are trained to detect, disarm, detonate and dispose of explosive threats all over the world, EODs are the specialists who bravely serve as the Air Force’s bomb squad. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ericka A. Woolever).

    Best and Bravest: Aviano EOD

    A job for the best and bravest, they do what needs to be done to keep others safe. “Who are they" you might ask?

  • Pins and needles: Tackling your anxiety

    After only a few years in the U.S. Air Force, I’ve grown accustomed to high-pressure situations, both related and unrelated to my career. Whether it’s last-minute taskings or unexpected changes, being a Public Affairs Photojournalist has taught me to adjust quickly to others’ schedules, and to do so without complaint.
  • Barry Wall, Occupational Safety and former British Army infantryman,rucks eight miles carrying 56 lbs to raise funds and awareness in memory of the fallen 56th Rescue Squadron HH-60G Pave Hawk crew of Jolly-22, at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, Jan. 2, 2020. On Jan. 7, 2014, Capt. Sean Ruane, Capt. Christopher Stover, Tech. Sgt. Dale Mathews and Staff Sgt. Afton Ponce were killed when their helicopter crashed while performing a low-level training mission on the Norfolk coast. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Master Sgt. Matthew Plew)

    Rucking to remember Jolly 22

    ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- Three members of the 48th Fighter Wing have banded together to raise funds and awareness in memory of the fallen 56th Rescue Squadron HH-60G Pave Hawk crew of Jolly-22. On Jan. 7, 2014, Capt. Sean Ruane, Capt. Christopher Stover, Tech. Sgt. Dale Mathews and Staff Sgt. Afton Ponce were killed when their helicopter crashed while performing a low-level training mission on the Norfolk coast.
  • U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Jeffrey Vicars, superintendent of the 31st Dental Squadron, poses for a photo, Dec.18, 2019, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. The 31st Dental Squadron integrates community-based preventive dental services and utilizes all dental resources to enable peak mission readiness and sustained performance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ericka A. Woolever).

    Exceptional Leader Spotlight: Reflection from the end

    When you finally reach the top, a reflection from the past often shows the great accomplishments, the painful obstacles and the image of who we hoped to be.
  • U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Tyler McConnell, explosive ordnance team member from the 31 Civil Engineer Squadron, poses for a photo, Dec.18, 2019, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. Explosive ordnance team member are trained to detect, disarm, detonate and dispose of explosive threats all over the world, EODs are the specialists who bravely serve as the Air Force’s bomb squad. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ericka A. Woolever).

    Exceptional Leader Spotlight: Reflection from the beginning

    Looking into the mirror are you satisfied with the reflection gazing back, are you where you want to be?
  • U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Keifer Thomas, a confinement NCO from the 31st Security Forces Squadron, poses for a photo at Aviano Air Base, Dec. 19, 2019.

    The Trial Must Go On: an NCO's Dedication

    U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Keifer Thomas, a confinement NCO from the 31st Security Forces Squadron, regularly escorts defendants from Aviano Air Base to Sembach Kaserne, a base in Germany, for pre-trial confinement. Occasionally, however, confinement NCOs are asked to escort defendants much farther- in this instance, Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado.
  • U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Tyler McConnell, explosive ordnance team member from the 31 Civil Engineer Squadron, poses for a photo, Dec.18, 2019, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. Explosive ordnance team member are trained to detect, disarm, detonate and dispose of explosive threats all over the world, EODs are the specialists who bravely serve as the Air Force’s bomb squad. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ericka A. Woolever).

    Exceptional Leader Spotlight: The mirror of leadership

    Looking through the rear-view mirror offers a good glance back for one to determine how far they have come, but one must always look at the present reflection to prepare for the roads ahead.
  • U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 31st Fighter Wing linger around a fire pit attached to a new dorm pavilion at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Dec. 13, 2019. The new pavilion will serve as a community focal point for Airmen to hang out and have a good time. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Thomas S. Keisler IV)

    New Pavilion for Aviano Dorm Airmen

    Dorm management held a grand opening ceremony at the dorm campus center on Dec. 13 for a new pavilion constructed for dorm Airmen.
  • Wyvern Wonderland is an annual event that includes a tree lighting, ice skating rink, tubing, food, live entertainment and more.

    Wyvern Wonderland - A sense of home, unity, and fun

    The Community Center will be hosting ‘Wyvern Wonderland’ on Friday, Dec. 6, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. This annual event is a chance for all Aviano Air Base members, with base access, to celebrate what the winter season brings – even a special guest from the North Pole will be making an appearance. Events will take place at Wyvern Town Center and include a Christmas tree lighting, live entertainment, tubing slides, an ice skating rink, food, and more.

  • USAFE - AFAFRICA Traffic Safety

    Motor vehicle accidents continue to be among the leading causes of fatalities each year across the Air Force, and U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa Airmen are not exempt. Whether commuting to work in Italy, heading out on holiday in the U.K., or driving on the local autobahn in Germany, unfamiliar signage, narrow roadways, high speed limits, and various other hazards continually pose threats to our safety.
  • U.S. Airman Ivana Bustamante, 31st Maintenance Squadron aerospace ground equipment apprentice, rides a bike at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Nov. 24, 2019. Bicycling is a great workout because it uses all of the major muscle groups as someone pedals. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Thomas S. Keisler IV)

    New Two Wheel Initiative for Dorm Airmen

    Aviano dorm residents without a way of traveling are now able to rent a bike for free through dorm management. This program, started by Staff Sgt. Bojorquez, an Airman dorm leader with the 31st Civil Engineer Squadron, offers Airmen without vehicles a method of traveling to work and during their free time.
  • U.S. Air Force Gen. Jeffrey L. Harrigian, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa commander, shakes hands with an Italian Air Force member at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Nov. 15, 2019. Gen. Harrigian has served in a variety of flying and staff assignments, including Deputy Director for Strategy, Plans and Assessments, U.S. Forces-Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and as Chief of the Joint Exercise Division at NATO's Joint Warfare Center, Stavanger, Norway. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Thomas S. Keisler IV)

    General Harrigian Visits Aviano

    U.S. Air Force Gen. Jeffrey L. Harrigian, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa commander,
  • U.S. Airmen from the 31st Maintenance Squadron unhook a F-16 Fighting Falcon from the lifting sling attached to a 60 ton crane at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Nov. 16, 2019. The lifting sling and guide ropes were used to keep the F-16 stable during the lift. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ericka A. Woolever).

    Exercise: Crashed damaged disabled aircraft recovery

    U.S. Airmen from the 31st Maintenance Squadron unhook a F-16 Fighting Falcon from a 60 ton crane at
  • U.S. Airmen order food at La Dolce Vita dining facility, Aviano Air Base, Italy, Nov. 7, 2019. On average, La Dolce Vita has 340 guests every day. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Thomas S. Keisler IV)

    A Day in the Life of a Services Airman

    U.S. Airmen order food at La Dolce Vita dining facility, Aviano Air Base, Italy, Nov. 7, 2019. On
  • Members of the 31st Operations Support Squadron pose for a photo at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Nov. 8, 2019. The squadron won the 2018 USAF D. Ray Hardin Air Traffic Control Facility of the Year Award, which recognizes outstanding accomplishments from Air Traffic Control teams. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Thomas S. Keisler IV)

    Making History

    It was quiet, one could feel the stillness in the air, as about 1,000 people sat in white chairs, watching history being made right before their eyes.
  • Maintainers from the 56th Helicopter Maintenance Unit and logistics readiness specialist from the 31st Fighter Wing, load an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter into a C-17 Globemaster III, prior to a deployment, at Aviano Air Base, Italy, May 22, 2019. The primary mission of the HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter is to conduct day or night personnel recovery operations into hostile environments to recover isolated personnel during war. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ericka A. Dechane).

    56th RQS/HMU return from deployment

    The 56th Rescue Squadron recently returned to Aviano Air Base after deploying downrange earlier this year.
  • An open house is held at the new Optometry location on Area F, Aviano Air Base, Italy, Oct. 30, 2019. Optometry was located on Area 1 for over five years. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Thomas S. Keisler IV)

    Optometry Open House on Area F

    An open house is held at the new Optometry location on Area F, Aviano Air Base, Italy, Oct. 30,
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Around the Air Force

  • An F-16C Fighting Falcon takes off

    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.
  • Senior Airman Alzara Kimalova, Air Force Sustainment Center contract specialist, walks through power-off procedures for C-130H Hercules through virtual reality technology at the Inaugural Pitch Day hosted by the Robins Spark Cell and AFSC Contracting located at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., Sept. 20, 2019, at the Advanced Technology and Training Center in Warner Robins, Ga. The event is an initial prototype effort to assess the capabilities of current commercially available virtual reality training systems when used in a military environment, particularly within the 461st and 116th Air Control Wings at Robins. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tommie Horton)

    DoD innovation units join forces to engage small business

    Over the past few months, AFWERX, Army Futures Command, NavalX, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, the National Security Innovation Network/Defense Innovation Unit have joined forces to make this experimental concept an interagency initiative built to bridge the gap between startups, small businesses and government.

  • Around the Air Force: Puerto Rico Earthquake Relief, SEAC on Leadership Podcast, Hap Arnold Grant Info

    Today's look Around the Air Force features relief to Puerto Rico after the recent earthquakes, SEAC Ramón Colón-López, senior enlisted advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on the Leadership Podcast with Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright and Hap Arnold Grant information from the Air Force Aid Society. (Hosted by Senior Airman Angelo Rosario)
  • Airmen assigned to the 200th Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron, or RED HORSE, Ohio Air National Guard, depart for Puerto Rico from Mansfield, Ohio following activation in response to earthquake disaster relief efforts, Jan. 17, 2020. Along with personnel, the Ohio National Guard unit contributed two Disaster Response Bed-down Systems, or DRBS, each with the ability to provide organic power and potable water systems for billeting, health and hygiene support for up to 150 people. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Joe Harwood)

    Ohio Airmen proud to support Puerto Rico earthquake relief

    Along with personnel, the Ohio National Guard unit contributed two Disaster Response Bed-down Systems to provide shelter for as many as 150 people.
  • Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Ramón “CZ” Colón-López speaks during the California Military Department Service Member of the Year Banquet, Jan. 18, 2020, in San Diego. The banquet recognized the best enlisted soldiers, airmen and sailors in the California Army National Guard, California Air National Guard and California State Guard.

    SEAC discusses authentic leadership during California National Guard banquet

    Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Ramón “CZ” Colón-López spoke at a banquet held by the California National Guard Jan. 18 to answer questions, educate the group on the SEAC position and detail priorities of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

  • From the courtroom to the classroom

    Lt. Col. Trinh Warner, an Air Force judge advocate for 17 years, was getting close to retirement and in search of a meaningful job.
  • A new mobile application for new hires aims to help new employees navigate the ‘must-dos’ during the first few weeks of work. The application includes checklists, maps of key base locations, informational documents on benefits, Air Force culture information and more. The mobile application is available on the Air Force Connect platform as part of the Air Force Materiel Command presence. (U.S. Air Force courtesy graphic)

    AFMC standardizes on-boarding, civilian acculturation

    The Air Force Materiel Command Civilian Acculturation Program, officially launched in May 2019, standardizes and streamlines the on-boarding process across AFMC, with impacts ranging from increased job satisfaction to improved new employee retention and more.
  • Airmen and RAAF Airmen push fire suppressant on to aircraft.

    Nellis AFB and RAAF team up to support Australia wildfire relief

    Members of the Royal Australian Air Force and Nellis Air Force Base teamed up to load more than 50 bundles of fire suppressant and other critical firefighting equipment onto three RAAF C-17 Globemaster III aircraft for delivery to the Australian Emergency authorities and Rural Fire Service.
  • U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Brandon Owens, 86th Mission Support Group Detachment 1 superintendent, Air Force Deployment Transition Center, briefs members of the Malawian air force on the U.S. Air Force’s decompression program at Lilongwe Air Base, Malawi, Jan. 16, 2020. Owen went to Malawi in support of the U.S. Air Forces Europe & Air Forces Africa force development team that has been working with the Malawian air force since 2018 to build partnership capability in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Korey Fratini)

    USAFE-AFAFRICA builds partnership with Malawian air force

    Since 2018, the USAFE-AFAFRICA Manpower, Personnel and Services Directorate, Force Development team, has been coming to Malawi to partner with the Malawian air force to provide them with tools to build, sustain and stand up an independent air force.
  • front view of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s 30 foot sculpture located at the National Mall in Washington D.C.

    “I Have a Dream” still inspiring

    Dr. King Jr. was a Baptist minister, turned social activist and civil rights leader who called for civil and economic rights and an end to racism.

  • MilTax: Military OneSource offers free tax prep

    MilTax kicks off on Military OneSource Jan. 22, offering electronic filing via do-it-yourself software and personalized support from a tax consultant.
  • Three technicians around a desk monitor computers and look through a window in front of them where and A-10 aircraft is being depainted by two robots flanking the aircraft.

    576th AMXS leverages robotic paint stripping technology on A-10 Lightning II

    The 576th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron is upgrading its traditional manual media blast paint removal process by using new-generation robots to strip the paint from A-10s that come to the base for depot overhaul and maintenance.

  • Around the Air Force: Spark Tank, Adaptive Learning Software, Air Force Connect

    Today's look Around the Air Force features this year's six Spark Tank winners, a transition from textbooks to tablets in Basic Military Training and some information on Air Force Connect. (Hosted by Senior Airman Angelo Rosario)
  • Airmen check over the first MQ-9 Reaper

    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.
  • AFMC Ideascale graphic

    AFMC seeks innovative ideas through IdeaScale Campaign

    Airmen and civilians from across the enterprise are invited to submit innovative ideas and solutions to improve the AFMC mission through the Air Force Ideation Platform, or IdeaScale, now through September 2020.
  • Tyndall AFB

    Deforestation on Tyndall AFB leads to ecosystem restoration

    This is a partnership between Air Force service members, Department of Defense contracted employees and representatives of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
  • AFIMSC Installation and Mission Support Weapons and Tactics Conference 2020 graphic

    I-WEPTAC 2020 registration opens

    Hosted by the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center, the annual conference is the Air Force’s only innovation forum for members of the installation and mission support community. It draws experts from the various Air Force combat support core functions to address I&MS shortfalls and help shape and propose solutions. This year’s conference is scheduled for March 30 through April 8 at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland.
  • A recent X-60A hot fire test, conducted at Cecil Spaceport in Jacksonville, Florida. The X-60A, developed through an Air Force Research Laboratory Small Business Innovation Research contract, is an air-launched rocket designed for hypersonic flight research. (U.S. Air Force photo)

    X-60A program conducts integrated vehicle propulsion system verification test

    X-60A is a single-stage liquid rocket primarily designed for hypersonic flight research and is launched from a modified business jet carrier aircraft.

  • Air Force Aid Society launches new enhancements to its mobile budget app

    The initial version of the AFAS Budget Builder App was launched in 2018 and was created primarily as a budgeting tool to help Airmen and their families improve how they save and budget their money each month. Prior to the Budget Builder App, AFAS provided paper check registers to Airmen and other service members to manually track monthly expense activity.

  • Blueprint Leadership with CMSAF Kaleth Wright: Episode 3 featuring SEAC Ramón Colón-López

    Chief Master Sergeant of The Air Force Kaleth O. Wright talks leadership, lessons learned, and shared experiences with the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, SEAC Ramón Colón-López.
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