ITAF, 31st FW celebrate Aviano's 100 year anniversary

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Julius Delos Reyes
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  The Italian air force will host several events from October to November to celebrate the centenary of Aeroporto "Pagliano e Gori," also known as Aviano Air Base, one of the oldest Italian bases.

Italy established the air base in 1911, and in 1912, started the first training school. During World War I, Italy used the airfield in missions against the Austro-Germans armies. Italian aviators, Capt. Maurizio Pagliano and Lt. Luigi Gori, conducted an unauthorized but heroic and successful raid on the Austro-Hungarian naval yards in Pola (now Croatia) during the war. The two aviators later died while flying strafing missions on a tri-motored Caproni biplane bomber in December 1917. In their honor, the base was officially named "Pagliano e Gori" airport.

Between the world wars, Aviano served as a training and operational base that housed both fighter and bomber squadrons. During World War II, both the Italian Air Force and the German Luftwaffe flew missions from Aviano. The British captured the base in 1945 and conducted air operations until 1947. The base sustained so much damage during continual allied air raids that several years were required to bring the base back to operational status.

"We are proud of working and celebrating the 100 anniversary of one of the oldest airports and first military aviation school in Italy," said ITAF Capt. Valentino Strazzeri, "Pagliano e Gori" air traffic controller and public information officer. "We want to share this important and valuable history with the whole community who assisted with transforming this important aviation camp into a modern and strategic airport in Europe."

Kicking off the event is a photo exhibition 5-7 p.m. Oct. 7 through 23 at Palazzo Gregoris in Pordenone, Italy. During weekends, the exhibit is also open 10 a.m. to noon. A series of interesting photos portraying the Aviano airport throughout the 100 years will be displayed for the month and it will be open to the public.

The ITAF will also host a historical conference 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Nov. 12 at the Personnel Alert Holding Area here. Guest lecturers will provide historical briefing about the base. In addition, the ITAF will present the book, "Pagliano e Gori -- 100 years of aviation." Italian heritage aircraft will also be on display for the public.

Concluding the centennial celebration is a free Italian Air Force Band concert 8-10 p.m. Nov. 16 at Teatro Verdi in Pordenone. The 60-member band from Rome will play in Pordenone for the first time.

"We organized these events to celebrate the anniversary together with the community. We want to remember all the efforts and the progress made by the first Italian pilots and their historical airplanes, the value of the airport during the two Wars and later on, the flight activities performed together with U.S. Air Force to protect and defend our nations," said Strazzeri. "Everyone is invited to join us in this celebration, which is open to the public. It is an important moment to review and share our history and have fun together."