Americans, Italians celebrate 60 years of partnership

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. R.J. Biermann
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  On February 15, 1955, the U.S. settled down in Italy at Aviano Air Base. Sixty years later, the base, mission and partnership with the Italian community has grown immensely.

To celebrate this milestone, the base and their Italian neighbors hosted a celebration July 3, 2015, here.

The evening festivities included static displays, special guests, live music and more. To kick off the evening, Brig. Gen. Barre Seguin, 31st Fighter Wing commander, provided opening remarks.

"Thank you for being a part of Aviano's storied history," said Seguin. "Today, our team has expanded to 4,000 personnel ... all proud to deter aggression, defend U.S. and NATO interests and develop Aviano as part of a premiere, go-to fighter wing and trusted ally.

"The Italian support and friendship on- and off-base has been unequaled," he continued. "This friendship makes Aviano the most sought-after assignment. Given the chance [my family and I] would stay a lifetime."

Aviano's storied history dates back to June 2, 1954, when then-United States Air Force in Europe personnel utilized Aeroporto Pagliano é Gori (the Italian designation for Aviano AB) as a temporary station. In October 1954, the U.S. and Italy signed an agreement allowing USAFE to use several Italian Air Force bases more permanently, including Aeroporto Pagliano é Gori.

"We first called the base 'Aviano Airfield #1,'" said Aungelic Nelson, 31st Fighter Wing historian. "Just a year later, in 1956, the base was redesignated as 'Aviano Air Base' when the 7227th Support Group became the base's host unit."

Almost 10 years later, on April 1, 1966, USAFE inactivated the 7227th and activated the 40th Tactical Group, making Aviano one of three weapons training sites in USAFE.

On May 6, 1976, a 6.5 magnitude earthquake shook northeastern Italy, destroying several towns north of Spilimbergo. The 40th TG cleared debris along 15 miles of road.

"The Americans and the Italians came together in a joint effort to rebuild the entire affected area--not just the base," said Nelson. "Volunteers were fundamental in disaster relief operations. The likes of that kind of focused partnership hadn't been seen since World War II."

On July 30, 1990, USAFE redesignated the group as the 40th Tactical Support Wing. The new wing's mission included maintaining one of a few War Reserve Material sites in Europe. The wing's stockpile was utilized extensively to support Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. The 40th TSW also deployed more than 200 personnel, 4,000 short tons of cargo and 13,000 short tons of munitions.

"The 40th [TAW] was the host wing for just a couple years, until USAFE moved the 401st Fighter Wing to Aviano in 1992," said Nelson. "USAFE's intention was to relocate the 401st [FW] temporarily, but operations in the Balkans in 1993 delayed this."

One of the base's major historic milestones came in 1993 when the U.S. and Italian governments signed a memorandum of understanding for basing two F-16 squadrons at Aviano. To aid the change and rapidly growing population, the Air Force spent $50 million on infrastructure improvements. Enter in the Aviano 2000 Program.

"The Aviano 2000 Program began in 1995 as a result of a series of NATO decisions about the United States' role in Europe," said Nelson. "The closing of a base in Spain led to an expansion program here and ushered in hundreds of new construction and renovation projects across the base. These included everything from new communications and utilities infrastructure to recreation centers and dormitories."

Another significant milestone took place on April 1, 1997, when USAFE transferred the 31st FW from Homestead Air Force Base, Fla., to Aviano, replacing the inactivated 401st FW. The same day, USAFE activated the 555th Fighter Squadron and later, on July 1, 1997, assigned the 510th Fighter Squadron.

"Since the 31st FW became the host wing at Aviano, the wing has been involved in a number of NATO operations such as Deny Flight, Deliberate Force, Decisive Edge, Deliberate Guard, Deliberate Force, Allied Force, Joint Guardian and others," said Nelson.

For the past 60 years, Aviano AB has stood as a symbol of Italian and American unity. Continued cooperation and friendship between Italian and U.S. forces helps solidify their support to NATO forces in the Southern Region.