Aviano Air Base's history pre-dates the United States Air Force (USAF), going back to the earliest days of Italian military aviation. Aviano Air Base (AB), along with Campoformido Airfield, located 30 miles east in the suburbs of Udine, and Merna Airfield, located 50 miles east, just outside the town of Gorizia, share the distinction as the "Cradle of the Italian Air Force".
Italy established the air base in 1911 and in 1912 started a flying training school. During World War I, Italy used the airfield in missions against the Austro-German armies. Italian aviators, Captain Maurizio Pagliano and Lieutenant Luigi Gori, conducted an unauthorized, but heroic and successful air raid on the Austrian naval yards in Pola, Yugoslavia (then Austria) during the war. This 10 May 1916 raid earned both men immediate status as national heroes. The two aviators later died while flying strafing missions in a tri-motored Caproni biplane bomber in May 1917. In their honor, the base was officially changed to "Aeroporto Pagliano e Gori" in 1919. Between the world wars, Aviano served as a training and operational base that housed both fighter and bomber squadrons.
During World War II, both the Italian Air Force and the German Luftwaffe flew missions from Aviano. In the later stages of the war, the base received severe damage from allied bombings (specifically B-17 and B-24 bombers and P-51 and P-38 fighters). The British captured the base on May 15, 1945 and the Royal Air Force conducted air operations until 1947. The base sustained so much damage during continual allied air raids that several years were required to bring the base back to operational status.
After the war, the Italian Air Force resumed operational control of Aviano AB (1947). In 1954, the U.S. and Italian governments signed a joint use agreement that brought Aviano into the family of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) bases. Headquarters United States Air Forces in Europe (17th AF) officially activated the base on 15 February 1955. In March 1955, Detachment 1 of the 629th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron moved to Aviano from Campoformido Airfield. Later, the 629th at Udine was redesignated the 7227th Support Squadron while Detachment 1 at Aviano became the 7207th Air Base Squadron. The 7207th became the first USAF unit activated at Aviano. On 19 December, the first rotational squadron, the 390th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, flying F-84 Thunderstreaks, landed on the new built runway.
On 1 July 1957, the 7227th moved from Udine to Aviano and combined with the 7207th to form the 7227th Combat Support Group. Nine years later, on 1 April 1966, the 40th Tactical Group was activated at Aviano and replaced the 7227th to handle the rotational units from the United States on a permanent basis. On 30 July 1990, the USAF redesignated the group 40th Tactical Support Wing.
With the closure of U.S. operations at Torrejon AB, Spain on 4 May 1992, the 401st Tactical Fighter Wing moved to Aviano AB and replaced the 40th TSW, which inactivated the same day. The 401st was redesignated 401st Fighter Wing. On 1 April 1994, the 401st inactivated, while the 31st Fighter Wing transferred from Homestead Air Force Base (AFB), Florida and activated at Aviano AB. Two F-16C fighter squadrons moved to Aviano from Ramstein AB in Germany to permanently equip the Wing. The two Squadrons were 510th and 555th.

The 31st Fighter Wing is home to two F-16 fighter squadrons, the 510th FS and the 555th FS. Both squadrons relocated from Ramstein AB in 1994 and redesignated. The wing was redesignated from the 401st Fighter Wing to the 31st Fighter Wing in 1994 as Aviano took on permanently based aircraft for the first time in over 50 years. Additional sites attached to the 31st Fighter Wing include Ghedi-Torre and Camp Darby, Italy; Araxos, Greece; and Moron Air Base, Spain.
The 31st Fighter Wing maintained its role as the only United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) combat wing permanently stationed south of the Alps. In order to conduct daily operations, the wing utilized a mission statement unchanged since 25 October 1995 reflecting the wing’s unique responsibilities: Conducts combat and support operations in Southern Region. Maintains the capability to conduct air combat operations with two F-16 Low Altitude Night Targeting Infrared Navigation (LANTIRN) capable squadrons in counter air missions, close air support, air interdiction, airborne forward air control and offensive missions of strategic nature through assigned forces in support of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and United States operations. Operates and maintains a theater air control system to provide mobile offensive and defensive radar control, air surveillance and air space management. Supports tactical and strategic airlift operations. Provides weather support for flying operations. Maintains active liaison with Italian representatives.
The 31st Fighter Wing supported national security objectives with two fully trained F-16 fighter squadrons, the 510th and 555th, capable of conducting offensive and defensive air combat operations under NATO and the Supreme Allied Commander Europe. The 603rd Air Control Squadron (ACS) provided the wing with command and control functions, air surveillance and communications. In an emergency, USAFE, AIRSOUTH, or the Balkan CAOC would task the 31 FW to support operations.
During World War II, the Army Air Forces organized their basic combat elements into groups. The organization of combat elements changed in 1947 after the newly established US Air Force adopted the wing as the basic combat element. The Air Force then established wings with the same numerical designation as the groups of World War II. On 6 November 1947, the Air Force established the 31st Fighter Wing at Turner Field, Georgia. The 31st Fighter Group became subordinate and attached to the 31st Fighter Wing on 20 November 1947, and continued training operations flying the P-51 Mustang. On 27 July 1951, the 31st Fighter Group’s three squadrons, the 307th, 308th, and 309th, were assigned to the 31st Fighter Wing. The 31st Fighter Group was inactivated on 16 June 1952 and remained inactive until 1 November 1991, when it was activated as the 31st Operations Group.
The 31st Fighter Wing, activated on 6 November 1947, flew the P/F-51 Mustang, and in August 1948, converted to the F-84 Thunderjet, while assigned to Tactical Air Command and stationed at Turner Field, Georgia. The wing changed designations to the 31st Fighter-Bomber Wing on 20 January 1950, and reassigned to the Strategic Air Command on 1 July 1950. Fifteen days later the 31st Fighter Wing again changed designations to the 31st Fighter Escort Wing. The wing made aviation history on 22 September 1950, when Colonel David Schilling, wing commander, flew an F-84E from Manston, England to Limestone, Maine, in 10 hours and one minute. He earned distinction as the first pilot to fly non-stop across the Atlantic Ocean in a jet aircraft and received the Harmon Trophy for this feat.
On 26 December 1950, following the outbreak of the Korean War, the wing moved to Manston, England, for a six-month temporary duty tour, providing fighter escort for bombardment units operating from the United Kingdom. During this same period, the 31st converted from F-84Es to F-84Gs. The wing played a leading role in the development of in-flight refueling tactics and the demonstration of the long-range capabilities of jet fighters. On 4 July 1952, the entire 31st Fighter Escort Wing executed Operation Fox Peter One, the first and longest, non-stop, air-to-air refueling, jet flight in history. The wing flew from Turner Field, Georgia, to Misawa Air Base, Japan, in the first Trans-Pacific mass flight of jet aircraft. For its accomplishments, the 31st received the first ever Air Force Outstanding Unit Award.
On 20 January 1953, the wing’s name changed to the 31st Strategic Fighter Wing. Four years later, on 1 April 1957, the wing, redesignated the 31st Fighter-Bomber Wing, transferred from Strategic Air Command to the Tactical Air Command. During this same time, the wing converted from F-84s to the F-100 Super Sabre. On 1 July 1958, the wing’s name changed once again, to the 31st Tactical Fighter Wing.
On 15 March 1959, the wing moved, without personnel and equipment, from Turner Field, Georgia, to George Air Force Base, California. Three years later, the wing moved to a new home, Homestead AFB, Florida, on 1 June 1962, and played a key role in the Cuban Missile Crisis in October of that same year. Throughout the crisis, the wing maintained constant air defense alert and for its critical role received its second Air Force Outstanding Unit Award on 10 May 1963. On 8 February 1964, the 31st Tactical Fighter Wing’s, 308th Tactical Fighter Squadron, flew nonstop from Homestead AFB, Florida, to Cigli Air Base, Turkey, in 11 hours and 30 minutes. The wing received the Tactical Air Command’s Outstanding Fighter Wing Award for 1964, for this longest mass flight (6,000 miles) of jet aircraft across the Atlantic.
On 24 June 1965, the wing’s 307th Tactical Fighter Squadron deployed to Bien Hoa Air Base, Republic of Vietnam, to augment US forces. During its six-month tour, the squadron flew 3,502 F-100 missions without a single combat loss. The 308th replaced the 307th in December 1965. For outstanding service in Vietnam from 1 June to 16 December 1966, the wing received its third Air Force Outstanding Unit Award on 11 May 1967. On 25 December 1966, the entire 31st Tactical Fighter Wing transferred to Tuy Hoa Air Base, Vietnam, assigned to Seventh Air Force, Pacific Air Forces. From February to April 1968, the wing provided extensive air support during the TET Offensive and the siege of Khe Sanh.
The wing returned to Homestead AFB on 15 October 1970 and converted from the F-100 to the F-4 Phantom. On 28 April 1972, the 308th Tactical Fighter Squadron deployed temporary duty to Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in support of Operation Constant Guard II. On 13 July 1972, the 307th replaced the 308th and recorded its first air victory on 15 October, when two crewmembers shot down a MiG-21 northeast of Hanoi. From 11 December 1972 to 11 June 1973, the 308th deployed to Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand in continued support of Operation Constant Guard II.
By 11 June 1973, with Vietnam commitments over, the wing resumed training operations. On 30 March 1981, the wing, redesignated the 31st Tactical Training Wing, continued training aircrews in the F-4. On 7 June 1985, the wing received their first F-16B Falcon. Four months later, on 1 October 1985, the wing returned to its prior designation, the 31st Tactical Fighter Wing. In March 1991, the wing converted from the F-16A/B to the Block 40 F-16C/D models. On 1 October 1991, the wing returned to its original designation, the 31st Fighter Wing. On 24 August 1992, Hurricane Andrew severely damaged and destroyed much of Homestead AFB. Due to the damage sustained, the Secretary of the Air Force recommended the closure of Homestead AFB during the 1993 round of base closures and realignments. As a result of this recommendation, the 31st was relieved of its assignment to Air Combat Command at Homestead AFB on 31 March 1994.
On 1 April 1994, the 31st Fighter Wing (FW) transferred to USAFE and Sixteenth Air Force and moved to its current home, at Aviano AB, Italy. The wing received two new fighter squadrons, the 510th and 555th, flying the F-16C/D Falcon. The 31st replaced the 401st Fighter Wing and provided support to Sixteenth Air Force installations located throughout the Southern Region.
The 31st Fighter Wing’s new mission centered on efforts to contain the civil war in Yugoslavia. On 31 March 1993, the United Nations (UN) Security Council passed Resolution 816, beginning a UN and NATO military action in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The wing's role in this peacekeeping mission consisted of a series of air operations: Deny Flight, Deliberate Force, Decisive Edge, Deliberate Guard, Deliberate Forge and Joint Guardian.
One month after arriving at Aviano AB, the wing began flying contingency operations in Bosnia-Herzegovina. In May 1994, the 31 FW’s 555 FS started operations in support of Operation Deny Flight, and by September of the same year, the 510th joined her sister squadron. Both squadrons conducted daily sorties with other NATO forces, enforcing the “No Fly Zone” over the region. By 28 August 1995, the wing had flown 1,644 sorties in support of Operation Deny Flight.
The 31st Fighter Wing from Aviano Air Base in Italy led the largest air raids in Europe since World War II in the summer of 1995. Aircraft from the wing and from other coalition forces inflicted heavy damage on key Bosnian Serb targets. During Operation Deliberate Force, as the NATO-led bombing offensive of August and September was called, F-16 pilots of the 31st Wing's 510th and 555th Fighter Squadrons flew as part of large strike packages with US Navy and Marine Corps pilots as well as with British, French, Dutch, German, Italian, and Turkish aircrews.
On 2 June 1995, Bosnian Serb Forces shot down Captain Scott O’Grady, a 555th Fighter Squadron F-16 pilot, behind enemy lines. Captain O’Grady spent the next six days evading Bosnian Serb Forces by moving during the night and hiding during the day. Finally, on 8 June, a Marine Corps, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, rescued Captain O’Grady unharmed and he returned home to a heroes welcome. On 29 August 1995, in response to the Bosnian Serb’s shelling of Sarajevo’s central market, NATO initiated Operation Deliberate Force. This military action resulted in the largest air assault in NATO’s history. The 31 FW increased its involvement and support to NATO forces during this 23-day operation, flying an average of 18 sorties a day for a total of 418 sorties. After reducing the threat to Sarajevo and other UN safe havens, NATO and the UN ended Operation Deliberate Force on 21 September 1995.
On 21 September 1995, with the completion of Operation Deliberate Force, Operation Deny Flight resumed. The wing continued daily missions to enforce the “No Fly Zone” over Bosnia-Herzegovina, and by 20 December 1995, had flown a total of 303 sorties. On 15 December 1995, the UN Security Council Resolution 816 expired and with it authority for Operation Deny Flight. The UN agreed to terminate the operation and officially turned over authority for the security of Bosnia-Herzegovina to the NATO Implementation Force (IFOR) on 20 December 1995.
On 20 December 1995, NATO’s IFOR began Operation Joint Endeavor. The air portion of this mission, called Operation Decisive Edge, ensured Aviano based aircraft continued to maintain the security of Bosnia-Herzegovina. The 31 FW continued daily flights over the area and, as of 20 December 1996, had flown a total of 1,088 sorties for this operation.
On 20 December 1996, Operation Joint Endeavor concluded and NATO forces began operating under Operation Joint Guard. This new NATO operation also affected the air mission, which changed from Operation Decisive Edge to Operation Deliberate Guard. This new operation implemented by NATO’s Stabilization Forces (SFOR, previously IFOR), became one of stabilization to give civilian agencies the opportunity and time to become functional and operational. The 31 FW continued to fly sorties in support of SFOR requirements, and by the end of Operation Deliberate Guard, 20 June 1998, had flown a total of 1,632 sorties in these ongoing peacekeeping efforts. On 20 June 1998, peacekeeping efforts in Bosnia-Herzegovinia continued under Operation Deliberate Forge.
On 19 February 1999, the 31 FW activated as the 31st Air Expeditionary Wing-Noble Anvil (AEW). Assigned under a Joint Task Force, the 31AEW flew from Aviano and joined with NATO allies and conducted a 78-day air against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia). Aviano units, already in place, received nearly 200 additional aircraft and 4,000 additional personnel. From 24 March – 10 June 1999, the 31 AEW at Aviano, flew in Operation Allied Force (OAF). The largest expeditionary wing in air force history flew nearly 9,000 combat sorties and accumulated almost 40,000 hours of combat service over the skies of Kosovo, Serbia, and all throughout the Balkan region in support of NATO operations. With zero combat losses, the wing accomplished much during OAF as the two permanently assigned flying squadrons, the 510 FS and 555 FS, combined for nearly 2,400 sorties over 10,000 combat hours. Additionally, as the first Aviano OAF squadrons to fly 1,000 combat sorties, 555 FS reached the 1,000 combat sortie mark on 27 May 1999 and the 510 FS followed suit two days later. Simply, the 31 FW operators, maintainers, and supporters proudly accomplished the NATO mission.
With a seven-year history of flying combat sorties from Aviano into the Balkan Theater, the wing took this combat experience to the Southwest Asia (SWA) Theater of Air Operations. From 3 March until 15 September 2000, the wings’ fighter squadrons deployed to SWA in support of the “No Fly Zone” (NFZ) south of the 33 rd parallel north latitude. This Operation, known as Southern Watch, required sorties into and around Iraq and other parts of this area. As part of the 332nd Air Expeditionary Operations Group, the 510 th and 555 FS deployed to Ahmed Al Jaber AB, Kuwait and supported NFZ enforcement missions. The squadrons accomplished these missions under the auspices of and in compliance with the Air Force Concept of an AEF. While deployed, the wings’ fighter squadrons flew over 2,100 hours and 1,320 sorties in the high-threat area with great results – mission accomplished. In 2001, the wing takes on new AEF challenges as the 603d Air Control Squadron deploys to Kuwait for AEF 4 and the 510 FS and 555 FS deploy to Turkey for Operation Northern Watch.

The 510th Fighter Squadron was originally constituted as the 625th Bombardment Squadron (Dive) on 4 February 1943. It was activated on 1 Mar 1943 at Dew Field, FL, and assigned to the 405th Bombardment (later, 405th Fighter-Bomber; 405th Fighter) Group. It was redesignated as the 510th Fighter-Bomber Squadron on 10 August 1943; as the 510th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, Single Engine, on 20 August 1943; and as the 510th Fighter Squadron, Single Engine, on 30 May 1944. Stationed in Cngland, France and Germany, the squadron saw combat in ETO, from 11 April 1944-1 May 1945 before returning to the United States and inactivating on 27 October 1945 at Camp Kilmer, NJ. Aircraft flown by the squadron during that period were the A-24 (1943); the P-39 (1943);and the P-47 (1943-1945).
Redesignated as the 510th Fighter-Bomber Squadron on 15 October 1952, the squadron reactivated on 1 December 1952 at Goldman AFB, KY. Assigned to the 405th Fighter-Bomber Group, the squadron operated the F-84 before transitioning to the F-100 in 1956. The 510th was reassigned to the 405th Fighter-Bomber Wing, on 8 October 1957. The squadron inactivated on 1 July 1958 at Langley AFB, VA, where it had relocated to on 17 April 1953.
Redesignated as the 510th Tactical Fighter Squadron on 11 March 1959, the squadron was reactivated on 9 April 1959 at Clack AB, Luzon. Assigned to the 405th Fighter Wing (though attached to Joint Task Force 116, from 16 May-8 June 1962), the squadron flew the F-100. During that period, the squadron had been, until 14 March 1964, stationed at Clark AB, Luzon, (but deployed at Chai-Yi AB, Taiwan (1-8 July and 2-12 November 1959); at Takhli RTAFB, Thailand (11 May-8 June 1962)); and at England AFB, LA, until 7 November 1965 (but deployed at Clark AB, Philippines, from 8 May-20 August 1965). The squadron saw combat in Southeast Asia from 12 November 1965 to 15 October 1969. The squadron inactivated on 15

The 555th Fighter Squadron was originally constituted as the 555th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) on 25 November 1942. It activated on 1 December 1942 at MacDill Field, FL, and wa assigned to the 386th Bombardment Group. It was redesignated as the 555th Bombardment Squadron, Medium, on 9 October 1944 and as the 555th Bombardment Squadron, Light, on 23 June 1945. Stationed at locations in England, France and Belgium, the squadron saw combat in ETO, from 30 July 1943-3 May 1945, flying the B-26 aircraft (1943-1945) and the A-26 (1945). It inactivated on 7 November 1945 at Westover Field, MA.
Redesignated as the 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron, it reactivated, and was organized, on 8 January 1964 at MacDill AFB, FL, flying the F-4 aircraft. It was assigned to the 12th Tactical Fighter Wing (though attached to the 51st Fighter Interceptor Wing at Naha AB, Okinawa, from 12 December 1964- 9 March 1965, 11 December 1965-21 February 1966; and to the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, c. 22 Feb-4 Mar 1966).
Havin relocated to Udorn RTAFB, Thailand, c 25 February 1966, the 555th was reassigned to Thirteenth Air Force, on 4 Mar 1966 (though still attached to 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, 4-24 Mar 1966) and to the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, on 25 March 1966. It was once again reassigned, this time to the 432nd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, on 1 June 1968. Ths squadron saw combat in Southeast Asia, from February 1966 until the close of hostilities. During that time, the unit was station at Ubon RTAFB, Thailand (20 July 1966) and at Udorn RTAFB, Thailand (28 May 1968).
Redesignated as the 555th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron on 5 Jul 1974, it relocated to Luke AFB, AZ. Assigned to the 58th Tactical Fighter (later, 58th Tactical) Training Wing, and operating the F-15 aircraft, the 555th was tasked with fighter training.

November 1969 at Bien Hoa AB, South Vietnam, to which it had relocated on 10 November 1965.
The 510th reactivated on 1 October 1978 at RAF Bentwaters, England, and was assigned to the 3d Tactical Fighter Wing (though attached to the 405th Fighter Wing, c. 8 May-17 AugUST 1965). It was reassigned to the 81st Tactical Fighter Wing, on 1 October 1978. The squadron began operating teh A-10 aircraft in 1979.
The squadron began providing close air support for NATO exercises, starting August 1979 and this until December 1992. The 510th deployed aircraft and personnel to Turkey to support Kurdish relief in Northern Iraq, from 6 September-10 December 1991; from 8 April-10 June 1992; and from 6 August-30 October 1992.
Reassigned to the 52 Operations Group on 1 October 1992, the 510th relocated to Spangdahlem AB, Germany. The 510th Fighter Squadron completed transferring aircraft from RAF Bentwaters, England, to Spangdahlem, Germany on 4 January 1993. This completed the transition of the 510th Fighter Squadron from Bentwaters, which closed in 1993. With the final two aircraft, the 510th FS had its full compliment of 18 A-10 and six OA-10 aircraft. Spangdahlem's 52nd Fighter Wing received its first operational A-10s from Bentwaters in October 1992 and was receiving aircraft from England about every two weeks during the transition. The 52nd FW inactivated when Spangdahlem was redesignated the 20th Fighter Wing 04 January 1994. The 20th FW was assigned to RAF Upper Heyford, England, but its flying mission there ended by 31 December 1993. The 20th FW was scheduled to operate three squadrons of F-16s and one A-10 squadron making it the largest flying operation in USAFE. The 510th inactivated on 1 February 1994.
Redesignated as the 510th Fighter Squadron on 23 March 1994, it activated on 1 July 1994 at Aviano AB, Italy, and was assigned to the 31st Fighter Wing's Operations Group, flying F-16CG/DG aircraft.