Aviano Air Base, Italy

APO, AE 09604-5260 | Base Operator: DSN 632-7111, 011-39-0434-30-7111

Aviano Air Base: Overview

Aviano Air Base (AB) was first used by the United States Armed Forces following the Second World War. In 1954, the governments of Italy and the United States came to an agreement that established the joint use of the installation. Shortly thereafter, the U.S. established the Headquarters for the United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) at Aviano AB, moving it from Udine. Many different squadrons were once stationed at Aviano and it was even once a war reserve material storage base, which was instrumental to the war effort during Desert Storm. In 1992, the Headquarters of the 16th Air Force and the 401st Fighter Wing moved to Aviano AB from Torrejon AB in Spain. Finally, in 1994 the 401st Fighter Wing was deactivated and the 31st Fighter Wing was activated for duty and stationed at Aviano AB.

Prior to the American presence at Aviano AB, the Italians established the base in 1911 and it was used to train Italian pilots. Its secondary mission was to build parts for aircraft. Following the outbreak of World War I, Italy used the base to launch airborne missions against the German and Austro-Hungarian forces. In 1919, the name of the base changed to Aeroporto Pagliano e Gori in honor of two Italian pilots stationed there. During World War II, the Italian Air Force and German Luftwaffe both utilized the base until it was captured by British forces in 1945.

Aviano Air Base: Education

You can earn your degree and enjoy being stationed at Aviano AB by attending an online school. Online schools allow you to take classes according to your schedule. And, if you go on TDY or are transferred, you don't have to put school on hold. You may want to request information from a number of these schools. Start by clicking the "Find A School" button below:

Aviano Air Base: Location

Aviano AB is located in the Fruili Venezia Guilia Region, which is in the northeastern part of Italy, and is only about 50 miles north of Venice, Italy. The largest town in the immediate area is Pordenone, which has a population in excess of 51,000 people. Pordenone is approximately 9 miles north of Aviano AB. The Aviano municipality, which is where the base is situated, is located in the foothills of the Carnic Alps.

Aviano Air Base: Interesting Facts

USAF Captain Scott O’Grady of the 555th Fighter Squadron, Aviano AB, was shot down over Bosnia in 1995. He was later rescued by U.S Marines of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit stationed aboard the USS Kearsarge.
During World War I, the base was overrun by the German army.
The base was once known as Aeroporto Pagliano e Gori. It was named after two Italian pilots who successfully raided an Austrian naval yard during WWI.
The British occupied the base from 1945 until 1947 when the Italian Air Force resumed use of the facility.

For more information about Aviano Air Base, please visit www.aviano.af.mil.