Italy has heightened security measures at the US nuclear-capable air base located in the northeastern town of Aviano due to intelligence indicating a potential Russian-linked sabotage attempt. This base, which is one of the primary US military installations in Europe, serves as a crucial NATO hub and is mainly operated by the Italian Air Force.
Authorities became concerned following reports of suspicious activities in the vicinity of the base, situated in Friuli-Venezia Giulia. Among these concerns were reports of small fires in nearby wooded areas and sightings of a woman photographing the surroundings, as noted by the Milan-based news agency Corriere della Sera. Investigators suspect that these incidents are part of a broader plan aimed at disrupting operations at the facility, according to a separate report from Messaggero Veneto.
In response to these developments, both regular police and Carabinieri, Italy’s national gendarmerie, have intensified patrols around the base. Rapid-response units have also been placed on alert, highlighting the seriousness of the situation. Local officials convened an emergency security meeting in Pordenone, assessing the actions needed to ensure safety and security.
The security status at the site has been elevated to medium-high, although Italian authorities have emphasized that these additional measures are primarily aimed at reassuring the local community. The US Air Force’s 31st Fighter Wing, which operates out of Aviano, reported that while no direct threat warnings have been received, they are working closely with Italian security forces to monitor the situation.
This unit is notably the only permanently stationed fighter wing of the US Air Force in southern Europe, providing support for NATO and US missions across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
Interestingly, the security alert at Aviano coincided with a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, aimed at addressing the ongoing war in Ukraine. That summit was notably brief, concluding in under three hours, and yielded no significant breakthroughs such as a ceasefire or a joint statement. Trump stepped back from his earlier call for an immediate truce, stating only that discussions would persist, while Putin reiterated Russia’s demands for the recognition of its control over occupied Ukrainian territories.
