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American NATO bases in Campania. Where they are and their role
Andrea Navarro June 23, 2025
Contents of the article
In Campania there are some of the main military infrastructures connected to NATO and the United States, each with a specific role in the Euro-Mediterranean strategic architecture. Individually analyzing their characteristics allows us to understand their operational importance, level of confidentiality and position within the transatlantic security dynamics.
JFC Naples - Lake Patria (Naples): strategic command of the Atlantic Alliance
The Joint Force Command Naples, located in Lake Patria, represents one of the two strategic operational commands of the entire NATO in Europe (along with Brunssum in the Netherlands). He has competence in the planning and coordination of NATO military missions in the Mediterranean area, North Africa, the Middle East and the Balkans.
The facility is entirely under NATO control and houses multinational personnel. The activities carried out do not concern the direct use of combat forces but rather the operational management of complex theaters, which is why it has a high degree of strategic sensitivity.
The absence of media visibility is due to the confidential nature of the functions, the fact that demonstration or training operations are not carried out on the spot and the placement in a peripheral urban context.
NSA Naples - Gricignano di Aversa (Caserta): US logistics platform in Europe
The Naval Support Activity Naples, located in Gricignano di Aversa, is a logistics base managed entirely by the United States. The structure acts as a nerve center for the administrative, health and logistical support of the US forces stationed in the Mediterranean. Inside there are:
Residential complexes for military and families
American Schools (DODDS)
US military hospital
Sports, cultural and recreational facilities
Although it is not formally a NATO base, it is part of the functional infrastructure of the Alliance. It does not host combat units, but represents a highly efficient logistical resource, essential for the operational sustainability of other active bases in the European and Middle Eastern theater.
The low communicative profile is linked to the supportive nature and the absence of direct use of military means, contrary to what happens in installations such as Aviano or Sigonella.
Capodichino (Naples): Italian-American mixed aerial node
The Capodichino base is an integral part of the NSA structure and constitutes a strategic air hub with both military and civilian functions. Logistical and operational flights depart from here, operated by US and Italian aircraft.
The airport is home to the Italian Air Force departments, including the 2º Engineering Department and the 5º Aircraft Maintenance Department, as well as US Navy infrastructure.
It is configured as an indispensable infrastructure for the mobility of the interforces forces in the southern quadrant of the Alliance, while remaining little known to the general public due to its predominantly technical use.
Grazzanise (Caserta): Air Force infrastructure with potential NATO use
The Grazzanise aeronautical headquarters is home to the 9º Stormo "Francesco Baracca" of the Air Force. Although not directly belonging to NATO or the US armed forces, the base is used in multinational scenarios, joint training and emergency response missions. The main functions include:
Support for special forces
Surveillance of the national territory
Advanced training and operational readiness
The geographical location between Naples and Caserta, the ability to integrate NATO operations and the proximity to other strategic presidiums increase its relevance. The base represents a national presidium capable of being activated in high priority contexts, acting as an operational multiplier for allied scenarios.
Why is there less talk about NATO bases in Campania?
The low visibility of the NATO and US bases in Campania is the result of a combination of practical and strategic elements. Their function is critical, but not spectacular: there are no public exercises, there are no visible departments moving and there is no impact such as to generate protests or parliamentary questions. In fact, they perform functions such as:
Central but non-belliger functions (command, logistics, support)
High levels of operational confidentiality
Absence of territorial protests or significant environmental impacts
Integration in urban contexts that attenuates its military perception
The choice to maintain a discreet profile is deliberate and functional to the protection of sensitive activities, strengthening operational effectiveness.
So, what are the most sensitive NATO bases in Campania?
So to summarize in Campania there are three key infrastructures in the NATO/USA device:
JFC Naples: Alliance decision-making center for the entire southern quadrant
NSA Naples: US logistics node for civil and operational support
Capodichino: mixed infrastructure for transport and military mobility
To these is added Grazzanise, an Italian presidium with rapid intervention capacity, which can be integrated into multilateral missions.
The absence of public visibility is an indicator of the strategic and non-spectacular nature of the functions. In a modern defense system, coordination, logistics and confidentiality matter as much as the use of means and troops.
The main American bases in Italy: comparison with the Campanian context
The US military presence in Italy includes some of the most important installations in Europe. They are operational bases, visible and sometimes at the center of political or environmental manifestations. Their importance is strategic not only for Italy, but for the entire projection of US forces in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.
Aviano Air Base (Friuli-Venezia Giulia): headquarters of the 31st Fighter Wing of the US Air Force, equipped with an F-16 fighter. It is one of NATO's main aerial tactical bases in Europe.
Camp Darby (Tuscany): logistics center for the management and storage of ammunition and armored vehicles. It serves as an advanced base for operations in the Middle East and Africa.
Sigonella Naval Air Station (Sicily): reference point for maritime, air and remote-piloted aircraft operations (P-8 Poseidon, Global Hawk). It has a central role in monitoring the Mediterranean and combating piracy.
Vicenza - Ederle Barracks and Del Din Barracks (Veneto): headquarters of the US land forces command for Europe and Africa. They represent the center of gravity for the operations of the US Army on the continent.
The Campania bases, although not hosting combat forces, are indispensable from a strategic-logistical point of view, but because of their less offensive nature, they are not at the center of the media narrative or political debate.