Wing's mission provides NATO cornerstone

  • Published
  • By History Office
  • 31st Fighter Wing
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy (AFPN) --  The mission of the 31st Fighter Wing located here is to conduct and support air operations in Europe's southern region and to maintain munitions for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and national authorities. 

The 31st FW maintains two F-16 fighter squadrons, the 555th and the 510th, capable of conducting offensive and defensive air combat operations as required in support of U.S. and NATO taskings.

In peacetime, the 31st FW prepares for its combat role by maintaining aircraft and personnel in a high state of readiness. The 31st FW also includes the 603rd Air Control Squadron, capable of providing air surveillance, control and communications.

The 31st FW is the only U.S. fighter wing south of the Alps. During a NATO crisis, the wing's operational forces become part of the 5th Allied Tactical Air Force, located at Vicenza, Italy. This, and its strategic location, makes the wing critical to operations in NATO's southern region.

Beginning July 1994, the wing provided combat support for NATO's first-ever operational mission, Deny Flight. In August and September 1995, 31st FW F-16s flew more than 400 combat sorties during Operation Deliberate Force. With the formal signing of the Dayton Peace Accord, Operation Deny Flight ended and the wing's emphasis shifted to support what is now Operation Deliberate Forge. In support of Operation Allied Force, U.S. and allied forces assembled at Aviano to react if called upon by NATO leadership in March 1999.

The 31st FW also supports three geographically-separated units: The 712th Munitions Squadron and 704th Munitions Support Squadron, Ghedi AB, Italy and the 496th Air Base Squadron at Moron AB, Spain. 

The base, located at the base of the Italian Dolomites, is at the northern end of the Po Valley, the largest agricultural plain in Italy. The base is near skiing at Piancavallo and an hour from the beaches of the Adriatic Sea. The nearest large city is Pordenone, about 10 minutes away, and Venice is nearby -- less than a two-hour drive.

Today, the 31 FW provides and supports dominant, expeditionary air combat in support of the Global War on Terrorism. The wing accomplishes this goal by deploying people and equipment in support of operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.