Gioia del Colle Air Base (ICAO: LIBV) is an important installation of the Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare), located in the province of Bari in the Apulia region of southern Italy. The base sits roughly 1 km south-southeast of the town of Gioia del Colle and serves as one of the key strategic air facilities in the region.
The air base is home to the 36º Stormo (36th Wing), which operates Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft for air-defense, quick-reaction alert (QRA), and NATO readiness missions. Over the years, Gioia del Colle has frequently hosted NATO detachments, temporary deployments, and joint exercises due to its advantageous position in the central Mediterranean. It has also supported several international operations, including air-policing and humanitarian missions.
The base features a single main runway measuring 2,990 m (9,810 ft), suitable for fighter jets, transport aircraft, and tactical military operations. Modernized in recent years, the facility includes updated hangars, maintenance areas, and improved operational infrastructure to meet current NATO standards. As of 2025, Gioia del Colle remains one of Italy’s most active military air bases, contributing significantly to both national air defense and allied missions across the region.