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Air traffic controllers from the 31st Operations Support Squadron and Italian air force Servizio CSA, guide Lt. Col. Michael Shaw, 555th Fighter Squadron director of operations and F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot, in for landing from the alternate ATC tower during a simulated fire emergency evacuation exercise at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Aug. 20, 2026. This joint exercise marked a historic moment, being the first time an F-16 was landed from an alternate ATC tower at Aviano AB. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Karissa Dick)

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Senior Airman Hunter Barnhill, 31st Operations Support Squadron air traffic controller, abandons his headset during an ATC tower simulated fire emergency evacuation exercise at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Aug. 20, 2026. Exercises like this one allow Airmen to practice crisis communication and emergency management skills in a controlled environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Landon Gunsauls)

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Senior Airman Hunter Barnhill, 31st Operations Support Squadron air traffic controller, and an Italian air force Servizio CSA air traffic controller, evacuate Aviano’s ATC tower during a simulated fire evacuation exercise at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Aug. 20, 2026. Joint exercises like this are opportunities for U.S. Air Force Airmen to work alongside ITAF partners, bolstering relationships and reinforcing our commitment to collaboration. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Landon Gunsauls)

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Air traffic controllers from the 31st Operations Support Squadron and Italian air force Servizio CSA drive across the flightline to the alternate ATC tower during a simulated fire evacuation exercise at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Aug. 20, 2026. This exercise was designed to test controllers' response times and capabilities in a controlled and safe environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Karissa Dick)

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260820-F-JJ878-1024

Air traffic controllers from the 31st Operations Support Squadron and Italian air force Servizio CSA drive across the flightline to the alternate ATC tower during a simulated fire evacuation exercise at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Aug. 20, 2026. This exercise was designed to test controllers' response times and capabilities in a controlled and safe environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Landon Gunsauls)

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260820-F-JJ878-1107

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Michael Shaw, 555th Fighter Squadron director of operations and F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot, performs a high-G turn during an air traffic control tower simulated fire evacuation exercise at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Aug. 20, 2026. This joint exercise marked a historic moment, being the first time an F-16 was landed from an alternate ATC tower at Aviano AB. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Landon Gunsauls)

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U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Joseph Basala, 31st Operations Group deputy commander and F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot, taxis in an F-16 Fighting Falcon during an air traffic control tower simulated fire evacuation exercise at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Aug. 20, 2026. This joint exercise marked a historic moment, being the first time an F-16 was landed from an alternate ATC tower at Aviano AB. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Landon Gunsauls)

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U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Joseph Basala, 31st Operations Group deputy commander and F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot, performs a touch and go maneuver in an F-16 during an air traffic control tower simulated fire evacuation exercise at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Aug. 20, 2026. This exercise was designed to test controllers' response times and capabilities in a controlled and safe environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Landon Gunsauls)

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U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Joseph Basala, 31st Operations Group deputy commander and F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot, performs a touch and go maneuver in an F-16 during an air traffic control tower simulated fire evacuation exercise at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Aug. 20, 2026. This exercise was designed to test controllers' response times and capabilities in a controlled and safe environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Landon Gunsauls)

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Air traffic controllers from the 31st Operations Support Squadron and Italian air force Servizio CSA run into Aviano’s alternate ATC tower during a simulated fire emergency evacuation exercise at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Aug. 20, 2026. Exercises like this test Airmen’s response time and crisis management skills in a secure setting. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Karissa Dick)

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Senior Airman Hunter Barnhill, 31st Operations Support Squadron air traffic controller, programs a radio in Aviano’s alternate ATC tower during an ATC tower simulated fire emergency evacuation exercise at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Aug. 20, 2026. Exercises like this allow Airmen to practice crisis communication and emergency management skills in a controlled environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Karissa Dick)

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An Italian air force Servizio CSA air traffic controller, coordinates runway control with ITAF partners during an air traffic control tower simulated fire evacuation exercise at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Aug. 20, 2026. Joint exercises like this are opportunities for U.S. Air Force Airmen to work alongside ITAF partners, bolstering relationships and reinforcing our commitment to collaboration. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Karissa Dick)

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Aviano ATC conducts first landing from alternate tower during joint exercise

Published Aug. 28, 2026
By Senior Airman Landon Gunsauls
31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- Air traffic controllers from the 31st Operations Support Squadron and Italian air force Servizio CSA, guide Lt. Col. Michael Shaw, 555th Fighter Squadron director of operations and F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot, in for landing from the alternate ATC tower during a simulated fire emergency evacuation exercise at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Aug. 20, 2026. This joint exercise marked a historic moment, being the first time an F-16 was landed from an alternate ATC tower at Aviano AB. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Karissa Dick)

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