• A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 555th Fighter Squadron takes off from Aviano Air Base, Italy, Dec. 16, 2020, during an Agile Combat Employment exercise. During the exercise, Airmen trained to enhance our ability to rapidly deploy to and operate from locations with varying levels of capacity and support, ensuring Airmen and aircrews are postured to provide lethal combat power across the spectrum of military operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Valerie Halbert)

    555th FS, ITAF participate in ACE exercise at Rivolto Air Base

    U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons and Airmen assigned to the 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy, participated in an Agile Combat Employment exercise on Dec. 16, 2020, at Rivolto Air Base, Italy.
  • U.S. Airman 1st Class Matthew Minga, 31st Security Forces member, left, Gianni Vignaduzzi, liaison specialist for the defense force commander, center, and Italian Air Force Primo Aviere Scelto Simone S., force protection member, right, pose for a photo at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Dec. 9, 2020. For 26 years, the 31st SFS and Italian Air Force Protection personnel have engaged their best practices and lessons learned on a wide range of topics. (Photo by U.S. Airman 1st Class Ericka A. Woolever)

    31st SFS and Italian Air Force Personnel work together as first line of defense

    True success can only be achieved through cooperation and collaboration. That has been the fundamental driving force behind the 31st Security Forces Squadron and the “Pagliano e Gori” airport Italian military personnel partnership.
  • U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Brian Robertson, 606th Air Control Squadron commander, administers the oath of enlistment to Senior Master Sgt. Sean Winters, 606th ACS cyber operations and maintenance superintendent, and Senior Master Sgt. Paul Norris, 606th ACS cyber operations and maintenance operations superintendent, as they transfer into the U.S. Space Force at Aviano Air Base Italy, Dec. 3, 2020. After Air Force Space Command was redesignated as the U.S. Space Force in December of 2019, the Department of Defense began consolidating several space missions, units, and career fields into this new branch.

    First Aviano Airmen to enlist in U.S. Space Force

    Two of our very own Wyverns transferred into the ranks of the U.S. Space Force during an enlistment ceremony at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Dec. 3, 2020. Senior Master Sgt. Sean Winters, 606th Air Control Squadron cyber operations and maintenance superintendent, and Senior Master Sgt. Paul Norris, 606th ACS cyber operations and maintenance operations superintendent, are the first Airmen to enlist into the U.S. Space Force while stationed here.
  • Tech. Sgt. Kristin Ray, 31st Security Forces Squadron unit deployment manager, poses for a photo at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Nov. 13, 2020. Ray recently completed a Native American history class which led her to ask her mother about more of her own personal history. Ray confirmed she is a sixth-generation direct descendent from Chief Black Kettle of the of the Southern Cheyenne Tribe and also a direct descendent of Chief Dull Knife from the Northern Cheyenne Tribe.

    31st SFS Airman proud of Native American Heritage

    Native Americans have served honorably in the U.S. military for the past 200 years including World War I, World War II and the Vietnam War. In fact, during those wars roughly 98,000 Native Americans served and more continue to serve to this day. One such service member is Tech. Sgt. Kristin Ray, 31st Security Forces Squadron unit deployment manager, who has been at Aviano Air Base for almost two years.
  • An F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 31st Fighter Wing awaits refueling at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Dec. 2, 2020. The 31st FW participated in surge flying throughout the week. Surge flying is a period of increased operations for those working on the flightline as sorties increase to provide ample training opportunities to pilots. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. K. Tucker Owen)

    Rain or shine, fuel on time

    The 31st Fighter Wing participated in surge flying throughout the week. Surge flying is a period of increased operations for those working on the flightline as sorties increase to provide ample training opportunities to pilots.

  • Celebrating holidays in Northern Italy

    For many people, the holidays hold a very special place in our hearts. They are days that mean more and where we can celebrate with our loved ones. That is no different here in Italy, as it is back home.
  • Airmen assigned to the 31st Maintenance Group attend an Airman 4 Life briefing at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Oct. 29, 2020. The briefing was one of many events aimed at teaching Airmen important life skills to succeed both in and out of the military. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. K. Tucker Owen)

    31 AMXS creates Airmen for life

    Being an Airman isn’t just about joining the U.S. Air Force. This belief is what encouraged 31st Maintenance Group leadership to create the Airman 4 Life program, which aims to teach Airmen important life skills to prepare them for life outside of the military - whether that be at the end of a four to six year enlistment, or retirement 20 years down the road.
  • Senior Airman Jaye Gonzalez, 724th Air Mobility Squadron air freight specialist, reads a manual during exercise Nodal Lightning at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Oct. 20, 2020. Nodal Lightning was a readiness exercise for the 724th AMS. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Thomas S. Keisler IV)

    724th AMS participates in Nodal Lightning

    The 724th Air Mobility Squadron participated in exercise Nodal Lightning the week of October 19, 2020. Nodal Lightning is a readiness exercise conducted by the 521st Air Mobility Operations Wing.
  • U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Brian Robertson, 606th Air Control Squadron commander, presents Senior Airman Maria Naranjo, 606th ACS cyber transport systems technician, with an award for the 2019 U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa Airman of the Year at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Oct. 14, 2020. During the presentation, Robertson thanked her for her dedication and contributions to the unit, as well as her fellow Airmen.

    USAFE-AFAFRICA Airman of the Year leaves big shoes to fill

    As Senior Airman Maria Naranjo, 606th Air Control Squadron cyber transport systems technician, prepares to head out to her next duty station, she leaves behind big shoes to fill as the 2019 U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa Airman of the Year.
  • Airmen from the 31st Force Support Squadron conduct annual search and recovery training at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Oct. 15, 2020. Maintaining currency through training events such as search and recovery and home-station readiness training enables Airmen to stay mission ready in order to execute any real-world agile combat employment, dynamic force employment, and search and recovery operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Savannah L. Waters)

    31st FSS conducts search and recovery training

    Airmen from the 31st Force Support Squadron conducted annual search and recovery training Oct. 15, 2020, to certify 23 newly-appointed search and recovery members.
RSS