Audio by 2nd Lt. Hannah Malone | 31st Fighter Wing | 03.31.2026
During World War I, Aviano Air Base transformed into a vital military hub as the airplane evolved into a tactical weapon. It became the deployment site for squadrons of the Caproni Ca.3, Italy's first true bomber. The famous poet Gabriele D'Annunzio arrived at the base, forming a close bond with pilots Maurizio Pagliano and Luigi Gori. The two (along with their Mission Commander, Aurelio......
Audio by 2nd Lt. Hannah Malone | 31st Fighter Wing | 03.31.2026
On March 28, 1923, the Regia Aeronautica (Royal Air Force) was established as an independent branch of the Italian military, and Aviano became a key training center. The base solidified its role as a Fighter Flight School, notably training the first officer cadets of the new Air Force Academy's "Aquila Course." The base's strategic importance grew, attracting visits from high-profile figures......
Audio by 2nd Lt. Hannah Malone | 31st Fighter Wing | 03.31.2026
This section of the exhibition focuses on the identity of the Aviano Fighter School between the World Wars. The school's insignia, an eagle protecting its "eaglets," symbolized its mission to train young pilots for Italy's Royal Air Force. Key training aircraft of the era included the Fiat CR.20 biplane for basic aerobatic and combat instruction, and its more powerful evolution, the Fiat CR.......
Audio by 2nd Lt. Hannah Malone | 31st Fighter Wing | 03.31.2026
In 1937, Aviano Airport transformed from a training school into a fully operational combat hub with the establishment of the 18th Land Bombardment Wing. This marked its entry into the modern era of strategic bombing as international tensions rose before World War II. The base housed a variety of advanced Italian aircraft, including the Savoia-Marchetti S.81 "Pipistrello" and the all-metal......
Audio by 2nd Lt. Hannah Malone | 31st Fighter Wing | 03.31.2026
In 1939, Aviano Airport was designated the headquarters for the prestigious Royal Bombardment School, transforming it into a premier training center for Italian bomber crews. The most iconic aircraft of this period was the Savoia-Marchetti S.79 "Sparviero," which, though originally a bomber, became legendary as a torpedo bomber used in famous long-range missions against targets like......
Audio by 2nd Lt. Hannah Malone | 31st Fighter Wing | 03.31.2026
The seventh banner details Aviano Airport's dramatic transformation from World War II to its role as a NATO stronghold. After the armistice between Italy and the Allies in September 1943, German forces occupied the airport, deporting Italian personnel and integrating some remaining pilots into the Luftwaffe. Nine Allied air attacks between 1943 and 1945 subsequently razed the infrastructure,......
Audio by 2nd Lt. Hannah Malone | 31st Fighter Wing | 03.31.2026
Aviano Airport served as a critical strategic hub for NATO during two major international crises.
Audio by 2nd Lt. Hannah Malone | 31st Fighter Wing | 03.31.2026
During the dissolution of Yugoslavia, Aviano became the primary base for NATO's peacekeeping and peace-enforcement missions. From 1992 to 2004, it was the main launching point for significant operations, including Deny Flight, Deliberate Force, and Allied Force. From 1994 to the end of Balkan Operations, the 31st Fighter Wing’s two F-16 squadrons alone flew almost 12,000 total sorties. In......
