Local Italian mayors visit base

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Lindsey Maurice
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  Several local Italian mayors received an up close look at Air Force operations Sept. 30 as they toured Aviano Air Base.

The city mayors of Roveredo, Sacile and Budoia took an introductory tour of the base to better familiarize themselves with the installation and U.S. and Italian Air Force operations. Afterward, the local officials joined base leadership and 10 other mayors from the surrounding communities for lunch at the La Bella Vista Club to further enhance U.S.-Italian relations. 

"Open discussion leads to mutual understanding," said Monica Delrizzo, 31st Fighter Wing public affairs specialist. "This event allowed base leadership and local representatives to discuss and provide inputs on key issues that affect the community as a whole, both American and Italian."

The tour, which was designed for those mayors who recently took office, included a wing mission briefing, F-16 static display, and visit to the 31st Medical Group hospital.

"It was very nice for (the 31st Fighter Wing) to host us for this visit," said Arch. Roberto Ceraolo, mayor of Sacile. "There is a strong bond between our Italian and American communities and that was evident today. One example of this is the 1,000 plus American military members who have retired from Aviano Air Base throughout the years and are living in Aviano and the other surrounding cities today."

After the annual mayors' luncheon, each representative was presented with a certificate and memento by Brig. Gen. C.Q. Brown Jr., 31st FW commander, and Col. Filippo Zampella, Italian Air Force "Pagliano e Gori" Airport commander.