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......
Audio by 2nd Lt. Hannah Malone | 31st Fighter Wing | 03.31.2026
In 2011, Aviano was central to Operations Unified Protector/Odyssey Dawn during the Libyan revolution. Its strategic location and advanced infrastructure enabled rapid support for the arms embargo and the No-Fly Zone. The base provided essential logistical and operational support for a multinational fleet, solidifying its role as a cornerstone for Mediterranean security and highlighting the......
Audio by 2nd Lt. Hannah Malone | 31st Fighter Wing | 03.31.2026
The key artifacts on display showcase the evolution of aviation technology and pilot gear. Torpedo: An original torpedo used by the legendary Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 "Sparrowhawk" during World War II, symbolizing the daring missions of Italian torpedo bombers. Flight Gear: The evolution of pilot attire is shown through mannequins, starting with the early white summer flight suits,......
Audio by Petty Officer 2nd Class Karris Battle | AFN Naples | 03.31.2026
260331-N-PS829-1001 NAPLES, Italy (March 31, 2026) AFN radio news highlighting the upcoming meeting of NATO Ministers in Sweden and the commissioning of the USS Massachusetts (BB-59). (U.S. Navy audio by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Karris Battle)...
Audio by Petty Officer 2nd Class Bryant Lang | AFN Naples | 03.31.2026
260331-N-EB640-1002 Naples, Italy (March 31, 2026) AFN Naples radio news highlighting the USS Gerald R. Ford arriving in Croatia. (U.S. Navy Video by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Bryant Lang)...
