The Italian Aerospace Information Web
by Aeromedia - corso Giambone 46/18 - 10135 Torino (Italy)
OPERATION ALLIED FORCE
The 31st Fighter Wing Today
The mission of the 31st Fighter Wing is to conduct and support air operations in the Southern Region and to maintain munitions for use as tasked by 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 under NATO, Supreme Allied Commander Europe and national taskings utilizing various weapon systems.
In peacetime, the 31st FW prepares for this role by maintaining its aircraft and personnel in a high state of readiness. The 31st FW also maintains the 603rd Air Control Squadron, capable of providing air surveillance, control and communications.
The wing is the only US NATO operational fighter base South of the Alps. During crisis the wing's operational forces become part of the 5th Allied Tactical Air Force, located at Vicenza, Italy. This, and its strategic location, gives the 31st FW special importance in NATO's Southern Region.
Beginning July 1994, the wing provided combat support for NATO's first-ever operational mission, Deny Flight, and later, Operation Decisive Edge, enforcing the "no-fly" zone over Bosnia-Herzegovina.
The 31st Fighter Wing also supports five geographically separated units: 31st Munitions Squadron, Camp Darby, Italy; 631st Munitions Support Squadron, Ghedi AB, Italy; 731st MUNSS, Araxos, Greece; 31st RED HORSE Flight, Camp Darby, Italy; and the 496th Air Base Squadron, Moron AB, Spain. (update August 1996)
(Aeromedia, maggio 1999)