The end of an era: Air Traffic Control tower taken down

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Colleen Wieman
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  At 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aviano took down a piece of history.
With a crane, contractors lifted the nearly 6.5 ton cap off of Aviano's old air traffic control tower. 

"The tower will be out of here in a few weeks, cut up into scrap metal and then disposed," said John Thomas, Army Corp of Engineers construction representative.
Mr. Thomas added that the Army Corp of Engineers has a project office at Aviano to assist the Air Force with construction and maintenance projects. He said the new air traffic control tower was a part of the Aviano 2000 program. "We're proud to be apart of the ongoing evolution of Aviano," he said. 

Before the tower was taken down, a ceremony honoring this historic landmark was held. Guest speakers, including Col. Roberto Sardo, Italian air force commander; Brig. Gen. Robert Yates, 31st Fighter Wing commander; and Maj. Anthony Figiera, 31st Civil Engineer Squadron acting commander; shared the tower's history that spanned from the Cold War to the Global War on Terror. 

"There is some nostalgia. This tower was an instrument of operation that NATO airpower used to keep freedom," Colonel Sardo said. "It's not just a piece of metal, but it's a part of history." 

Completed in April 1964, the 43 year-old tower became obsolete and an air field obstruction. Since the new, more modern and taller air traffic control tower is fully operational, the old tower needed to be removed. 

"I don't think this tower was meant to last as long as it did," said Adam Leigland, 31st CES engineer chief. "The new tower is modern and has training facilities. Also, because it's taller, it provides a better view for the 31st Operations Support Squadron." 

Despite its age, the old air traffic control tower was very sturdy; avoiding a 1970's aircraft accident and surviving the intensity of last June's storm. 

"During last year's storm, the tower stood here no problem," General Yates said. "The storm came down and we lost trees and the Health and Wellness Center, but this tower remained in service." 

According to Amadio Cipolat, a civil engineer from the 31st CES, this tower was one out of 10 towers constructed similarly throughout Italy. Now that the old tower is gone, there is only one left like it. 

"Working hand in hand with Air Force civil engineers, Army Corp of Engineers and the contractor, with this demolition of the air traffic control tower, we have closed an era," said Senior Master Sgt. Linda Jacobs, 31st CES engineering superintendent. "Now with the new air traffic control tower fully operational and visibility increased, the new tower will start a new era and increase safety and enhance mission effectiveness."