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Living in Italy is very expensive. Utilities and car insurance rates are particularly high. It is recommended to get a quote ahead of time to prepare yourself for this expense (especially if planning on purchasing a new vehicle). Renting a house off base includes paying first months rent and deposit. There is also a separate paint deposit which can total up to 2 months rent. For military members this paint deposit is reimbursable but may take several months. For civilians or contractors this fee is NOT reimbursed. There are also pet deposits. You may also incur fees if you elect to use a rental agent to help you search for housing. Be sure to ask about these fees up front. These move in costs can total several thousand dollars. We recommend saving between $5,000-$10,000 for moving-related expenses, and possibly a little more if you plan to purchase a car upon arrival.
Utilities is another unique item here in Italy. Bills are many times not sent out on a monthly basis. Many times people receive utility bills totaling 3-4 months worth of usage instead of 1. This can result in a utility bill of 3,000 euros or more. A suggested tip to address this is to set up a bank account solely for your house and utility allowances. This way the money is sitting there, ready to be used when you receive a large utility bill.
Talk with your sponsor to learn more about these expenses and other costs to expect. Contact the M&FRC after arrival if you would like to work with a Personal Financial Counselor with assistance on a spend plan or debt management.
Getting Started
Do not travel to Italy without the proper documents! It is absolutely essential that each Active Duty Military family member as well as DOD Civilians and their command-sponsored family members obtain a no-fee passport and Italian "Missione" visa prior to arriving at Aviano AB. Dependents and civilians may not enter the country prior to their visa start date! Please contact your losing Military Personnel Section, Customer Service or Installation Passport Agent immediately upon notification of assignment to begin the processing and receipt of the necessary travel documents for family members prior to arrival in Italy. The Aviano Command Sponsorship Guide, https://www.31fss.com/command-sponsorship, provides information on required travel documents and the requirement to apply for a permesso di soggiorno; which will replace the visa once you are here.
Please reference the Aviano First 31 PCS Welcome guide often as you prepare for your move https://31fss.com/first-31-pcs-start/. Download the USAF Connect app, selecting 31st Fighter Wing as your "favorite." Also reference the Aviano Facebook page at www.facebook.com/avianoairbase.
If you have not heard from a sponsor, please call your gaining unit to request a sponsor. Use the Major Units Listing tab to locate the phone number for your gaining unit.
31st Fighter Wing Welcomes You!
Welcome and congratulations on your assignment to the #1 Fighter Wing in the Air Force! Here at Aviano Air Base, Italy, you’ll have the opportunity to see all that Northern Italy has in store for you.
Tee off at the beautifully landscaped Alpine Golf Course on base with a 7,000-foot-tall mountain in front of you. In the winter time, ski and snowboard at Piancavallo just a 30 minute drive up the windy mountain road.
In the local areas, you can enjoy the many wineries, open-air markets and events that happen year-round.
An hour drive or train ride will land you in the heart of Venice, where you can sip Prosecco, eat pizza and watch gondolas row down ancient canals. February is Carnival of Venice season, so be ready to purchase your outfits and masks when you get here. Four hours from base lies the beautiful city of Florence, the epicenter of the Italian Renaissance. Walk through the bustling streets as you visit several art and history museums or shop at famous fashion boutique stores.
At first it may feel overwhelming, however soon you will be settled in and learn all the ins-and-outs of living in Europe and how to experience the Italian culture. Your sponsor will help you settle in and you’ll be part of Team Aviano’s family.
A Few Things to Get Started Right Away & Keep in Mind:
Shipping Vehicles
It is recommended to ship your personally owned vehicle 6-8 weeks before your departure. Since Aviano Air Base facilities are located in several different areas, you will be required to do business in different locations and a POV will be very important to you. House hunting also requires transportation and it is expensive to rent cars in Italy. It is better to ship early and rent in the US as opposed to renting in Italy. If you decide to rent a vehicle at Aviano, an International Driver's License is required, and can be received through AAA or the National Auto Club.
Phone Information:
The Aviano First 31 PCS Welcome guide is designed to help you and your family prepare for your move and the unique circumstances at Aviano Air Base It can be found at https://31fss.com/first-31-pcs-start/. Just about any question you may have about PCSing to Aviano should be answered on this site. It is a wealth of information and highly suggested! You will also find items such as translations for gassing your car up at the local gas stations, shopping tips and much more.
You should also download the USAF Connect app making 31st Fighter Wing your "favorite", prior to your arrival. This App will help you learn about the base and has contact information for many of the base agencies you will need to contact as you prepare for your move and as you settle after your arrival in Aviano. Also reference the Aviano Facebook page at www.facebook.com/avianoairbase.
If you have not heard from a sponsor, please call your gaining unit to request a sponsor. Use the Major Units Listing tab to locate the phone number for your gaining unit. If you have any problems, please contact the Relocation Team at the Military & Family Readiness Center, Comm 011-39-0434-30-5407 or DSN 632-5407.
The mission of the 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy, is to deter, evolve and integrate through safe, secure, effective operations. We are ready and adaptive warriors, committed to Allies and Partners, who are devoted to our community and one another. Check out Aviano's base home page: Aviano Air Base home Page.
There has been an American presence in Aviano since 1954 when the Italian and American governments signed a joint use agreement. By 1955, HQ United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) had moved its Italian operations from Udine to Aviano. Throughout the Cold War, the base went through a period of hosting rotational fighter squadrons, but with the end of that conflict, the rotational squadrons became obsolete. In 1992, HQ 16th Air Force and the 401st Fighter Wing moved from Torrejon Air Base, Spain to Aviano. In 1994, the 401 FW was inactivated and the 31 FW began its tenure as the host unit at Aviano. The next year, an infrastructure program named Aviano 2000 began, which planned for the construction of approximately 300 projects valued at over $500 million. In 2006, HQ 16th Air Force was restructured and relocated. For more information on Aviano AB see Aviano's homepage.
In the northern Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of Italy (where Aviano AB is located), the resident populations is 1,194,647. The four major cities in this region are Pordenone (located approximately 15-minutes from the base), Udine, Gorizia and Trieste.
Active-duty Air Force and Army, DoD civilians, Local Nationals, contractors - and their family members. At Aviano AB, we live work and play side by side with the local Italians. It is common to be greeted at the front gate by an Italian Soldier or an Active Duty AF member. You will be welcomed and immersed into the local culture as soon as you arrive.
Benvenuti (Welcome) to Aviano Air Base and the Fruili Venezia Giulia Region of northern Italy! Aviano AB is a vital link in the NATO defense chain and the premier air base south of the Alps. In fact, Aviano is nestled at the foot of the Pre-Alps or the Dolomites as they are called, and is located approximately 50 miles north of Venice, Italy and 9 miles from Pordenone, the largest nearby town. Italy, with its rich history, beautiful landscapes and abundant culture is one of the best assignments in the world.
Transportation from Venice Marco Polo Airport
Transportation from VCE airport to the installation should be pre-discussed between the inbound DOD member and sponsor. Due to vehicle sizes, sponsors may not have room for inbound DOD member, their families, pet and luggage. There are a few options if your sponsor is not able to provide transportation from the airport.
Arriving during Army Airport Shuttle service hours
There is a Military Community Liaison Office managed by Vicenza Army Base that can provide support to all service members arriving into the Venice Macro Polo airport. To reach them:
ITT Shuttle (Reservation are required)
Reservations must be booked at least 7 days in advance through ITT at https://31fss.com/transport-from-the-airport/.
NOTE: The ITT Patriot Shuttle can transport to on or off base destinations.
Transportation with Pets
It takes around 1 hour to clear customs; schedule shuttle/taxi time accordingly.Pre-arrange pet transportation. Contact your sponsor for help with possible options. When reserving the Patriot Shuttle indicate you are bringing a pet.
Directions via Driving
If you are driving from the airport (rental cars are available, but are not reimbursable in PCS status), exit the airport to the right. Take Raccordo Marco Polo to A27 in Mogliano Veneto. Head southeast on Viale Galileo Galilei. At the roundabout take the 4th exit. At the next roundabout take the 2nd exit, both to stay on Viale Galileo Galilei. It is a toll road and you can pay in Euro or by credit card,(Visa, Master Card, American Express.) One way is approximately 7 Euro ($10.00) dollars. Continue on A27. Take exit A28 Portogruaro, then keep left to Conegliano and continue on A28. Take exit Sacile Est, slight left onto the ramp to Sacile. After 15 kilometers, turn left on Via Casut. Take the second exit on the roundabout to continue onto Strada della Libera. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Sacile Est. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Via B. Osoppo. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Via V. Bellini. Take a slight right onto Via Francesco Baracca. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Via G. Garibaldi, then Continue to follow SP31. SP31 turns left and becomes Via Pionieri dell'Aria. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit and stay on Via Pionieri dell'Aria. You will come to the Flightline area first, which will be on your left. Initially, you will enter a traffic circle, the signs will lead you to gate 9 which is open 24 hours a day.
Directions via Bus and Train
Should you arrive via Milan, take the bus from the airport to the central train station. At the ticket counter, ask for a one-way (solo andata) ticket to Pordenone. You may have to change trains at least once either in Verona or Mestre (Venice) before arriving in Pordenone. At the Pordenone train station, call your sponsor or take a commercial taxi. Pordenone is approximately a 25-minute drive to the base.
Arrival After Hours
If you arrive after duty hours and your sponsor is nowhere to be found, the Command Post may assist and contact your squadron or First Sergeant. On base lodging is available on the Flightline (same location as AMC Terminal). Contact the Mountain View Lodge and if there are no vacancies on base, the Lodging staff can assist with arranging temporary lodging off base.
Currently there is no shuttle bus service available between the various areas of Aviano AB. It is suggested to coordinate with your sponsor/unit to provide you necessary transportation until you either rent, purchase or receive your shipped vehicle.
011-39-0434-30-1110 or DSN 314-632-1110.