Aviano
Aviano Airport: An Ancient and Glorious History
Aviano Airport is one of the oldest military airports in Italy. It dates back to 1911, when it was built for the nascent military aviation forces of the Kingdom of Italy. As early as 1910, in the Comina area (Friuli-Venezia Giulia), on the outskirts of Pordenone, the first Italian civil aviation school was established. With the development of the military airport, Comina, where aircraft parts were also manufactured, became a dependency of Aviano Airport.
During World War I, Italy used Aviano Airport (together with Comina) as a base for bombing squadrons, under the command of the Pordenone Aviators Battalion and equipped with Caproni Ca300 and Ca450 aircraft. Its strategic location made it the main base for missions against the forces of the Austro-Hungarian-German Empire fighting in Cadore and on the Isonzo front, with actions that extended as far as Ljubljana (February 1916) and Pola (August 1917).
Aviano Air Base and the US Presence
Today, Aviano Airport is used by the United States Air Force. From 1992 to November 1, 2005, the base was also the headquarters of the Sixteenth Air Force, now located at Ramstein Air Base in Germany.
The US Air Force 31st Fighter Wing is based at the airport, which is part of the United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE). The Italian Air Force commands the "Pagliano e Gori" Airport in Aviano, to "guarantee national sovereignty and supervise the implementation of bilateral agreements related to the deployment of USAF units on the base."
Exclusive Military Activities
Aviano Airport carries out exclusively military activities, not being open to commercial traffic. Since September 2019, the commander has been Colonel Pilot Luca Crovatti of the Italian Air Force.
The base has been involved in various military operations, such as the Gulf War, the War in Afghanistan, and the War in Iraq. In 1998, Aviano Air Base was also used by US President Bill Clinton for a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi during the crisis in Kosovo.
Being under US jurisdiction, Aviano Airport is subject to US laws and regulations. However, there are bilateral agreements with Italy that regulate the American presence on the base.
The Base and the Local Community
The presence of the American base in Aviano has a significant impact on the local community. In addition to the 5,000 American military and civilian personnel working at the base, there are also local contractors, companies providing services to the base, and the families of military personnel living in town.
The American base contributes to the local economy, providing jobs and a positive economic impact on Pordenone, the nearest city. However, the presence of the base is also a source of tension and concern for some local residents, particularly regarding environmental issues. The base has been accused of having a negative impact on the health and surrounding environment, particularly due to jet noise and the presence of toxic substances.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Aviano Airport has a long and glorious history, from the early days of Italian aviation to its current position as an American military base. The presence of the base has a significant impact on the local community, providing jobs and contributing to the local economy. However, there are also concerns and tensions, particularly regarding environmental issues.
