USAF Gioia del Colle

Gioia del Colle airbase.
- Former Hq 36ª Aerobrigata Interdizione Strategica (36 Strategic Interdiction Wing) http://www.quellidel72.it/sistema/jupiter/immagini/immagine_07.jpg in the SM-78 Jupiter Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) system (1959-1963)

April 1959, the implementing instructions had been issued to USAF deploying 2 Jupiter wings to Italy. These Wings totaling 30 missiles were operational at 10 sites in Italy manned by Italian Air Force crews, USAF personnel however controlled arming and securing the nuclear warheads. The deployed missiles were under command of 36ª AIS at Gioia del Colle airbase.

- Old missile crew training site at grid 40°47′6″N 16°55′33″E still clearly visible

- Former Launchersite 1 at grid 40°44'25"N 16°55'58"E After its deactivation in the 1970's converted into a Special Ammo Storage for NATO USAFE use in case of war http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6swv97DGOtU

All Jupiter IRBMs were deactivated and scrapped by the end of 1963, as a backdoor trade with the Soviet Union after removal of Russian missiles fom Cuba.

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