In the heart of the Mediterranean, Italy hosts about 120 US military bases, some of which are classified as secret facilities. All under the umbrella of the 1954 Italy-US Bilateral Treaty, which regulates the American presence on our territory. Some bases even host nuclear weapons, as part of NATO policies. More than 12,000 US military personnel are currently stationed in the country, confirming the strategic importance that Italy holds for Washington.
Aviano (Friuli Venezia Giulia): the heart of American aviation
It is the crown jewel of the US Air Force in Europe. The base at Aviano, home to the 31st Fighter Wing, hosts F-16 fighters and is equipped with advanced infrastructure for missions in the Mediterranean, Middle East, and Eastern Europe. According to unofficial sources, nuclear warheads are also stored here.
Vicenza (Veneto): elite infantry with stars and stripes
Caserma Ederle is home to the 173rd Airborne Brigade, an elite combat unit of the U.S. Army. Adjacent, the modern Caserma Del Din hosts strategic commands and logistical facilities, essential for US military operations in Europe and Africa.
Camp Darby (Tuscany): the warehouse of wars
Between Pisa and Livorno, Camp Darby is a strategic logistical hub: it hosts enormous depots of ammunition, weapons, and military vehicles, directly connected to the port of Livorno and the airport of Pisa. An essential support for large-scale operations in the Mediterranean basin.
Naples (Campania): the brain of the US Navy
The city hosts the Naveur-Navaf command, responsible for US naval operations in Europe and Africa. The base is divided between Capodichino (airport area) and Gricignano di Aversa, where the residential and operational facilities of the U.S. Navy are located.
Sigonella and Niscemi (Sicily): drones and satellites in the spotlight
The base at Sigonella, near Catania, is among the most active in the Mediterranean, jointly managed by Italian and American forces. It is a launch center for reconnaissance drone missions. Not far away, in Niscemi, is the controversial MUOS station for global satellite communications, the subject of environmental protests.
Rome (Lazio): the invisible side of the US presence
In the capital, US military presences are not lacking, especially related to NATO missions, intelligence, and the US embassy. Many activities are classified or carried out in collaboration with Italian authorities, in a low strategic profile.
An invisible but decisive network
US military bases in Italy are not just barracks: they are nodes of command, logistics, communication, and nuclear deterrence. A massive presence that underscores how our country is an integral part of the Western military architecture.
