Camp Darby

Branch: U.S. Army (Joint Use — U.S. Air Force tenant)
Location: Livorno (Leghorn), Tuscany, Italy
Installation Type: Camp
Status: Active

Overview

Camp Darby is a U.S. military installation located between Livorno and Pisa in Tuscany, Italy, established in 1952 and named after Brigadier General William O. Darby, a World War II Ranger hero. Situated within a Mediterranean pine forest along the Tyrrhenian coast, it is one of the oldest continuously operated U.S. military installations in Europe. Camp Darby primarily serves as a logistics and pre-positioned war reserve materiel (WRM) storage site, housing significant Army pre-positioned stocks that support rapid reinforcement of NATO allies.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Store and maintain U.S. Army pre-positioned war reserve materiel (WRM) in support of European theater operations and NATO commitments; provide logistics and installation support for U.S. and NATO forces.
Major Units: 405th Army Field Support Brigade (AFSB) — responsible for Army pre-positioned stocks in Europe; supported by logistics and sustainment elements.
Tenant Units: U.S. Air Force 31st Fighter Wing detachment elements (historically); various small support detachments; NATO liaison elements.

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Livorno (Leghorn), approximately 5 km north; Pisa, approximately 15 km north.
Nearest Commercial Airport: Galileo Galilei International Airport (PSA), Pisa, approximately 20 km north.
Gate Access: Access requires a valid CAC or NATO equivalent identification. Visitors must be sponsored and obtain a visitor pass from the Visitor Control Center. Gate hours vary — contact installation security for current hours.

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 100-300 (relatively small active duty footprint)
Family Members: Limited; many positions are unaccompanied or short-tour
Civilian Employees: Approximately 200-500 U.S. and Italian civilian employees (including local national workforce)
Total Installation Population: Not publicly available

Key Facilities

Medical: Camp Darby Health Clinic — primary care for active duty and beneficiaries; referrals to local Italian hospitals or Caserma Ederle/Vicenza for specialty care.
Commissary: Yes — full-service commissary serving the Livorno/Pisa military community.
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes — AAFES Exchange facility on post with Class VI and food court options.
Fitness & Recreation: Fitness center, outdoor recreation areas, beach access at nearby Tombolo beach area (a popular MWR amenity), camping and picnic facilities within the pine forest.
Schools: DoDEA Livorno Elementary and Middle School serves military-connected students in the area; high school students may attend DoDEA Vicenza High School or local Italian schools.
Childcare: Child Development Center (CDC) — contact ACS for current availability and waitlist status.
Veterinary Services: Veterinary Treatment Facility (VTF) — provides routine pet care, vaccinations, and health certificates; limited specialty services (referrals to local Italian veterinarians for advanced care).
Legal Assistance / JAG: Legal assistance available — typically appointment-based; may coordinate with the larger JAG office at USAG Italy (Vicenza) for complex matters.

Housing

On-Post Housing: Limited on-post family housing available; barracks for unaccompanied soldiers; managed through USAG Italy housing office.
Average Wait Time: Not publicly available; housing availability is limited given the small population.
Off-Post Housing: Livorno and surrounding areas (Pisa, Tirrenia, Calambrone) offer Italian apartments and villas. Average rent ranges approximately 700-1,200 EUR/month for a 2-3 bedroom apartment; coastal areas tend to be higher. The local Italian rental market requires Italian lease contracts.
BAH Rate Reference: Check current Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) rates at the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) website.

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: Sponsors are assigned through the gaining unit or installation; contact the unit’s rear detachment or S1 to request a sponsor before departure.
In-Processing: Report to the Installation In-Processing Center; in-processing covers finance, medical, legal, housing, and administrative requirements. Coordinate with USAG Italy (Vicenza) for some services.
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): EFMP enrollment is required for family members with special needs prior to PCS; Italy generally has good access to services but pre-screening at the losing installation is required. Contact ACS EFMP office for current enrollment procedures.

OCONUS-Specific Information

SOFA Status: U.S. forces in Italy operate under the NATO Status of Forces Agreement (NATO SOFA), signed 1951, supplemented by bilateral U.S.-Italy Supplementary Agreement (1954, updated). The SOFA governs jurisdiction, use of facilities, customs, and the legal status of U.S. personnel and their dependents.
Host Nation Rules: Personnel are subject to Italian law while off-post. Driving laws, alcohol regulations, and public conduct standards differ from U.S. norms. Respect for Italian customs and local community relations is emphasized. Discharging fireworks, excessive noise, and certain public behaviors may violate local ordinances.
Curfew Policy: No general curfew for adults in Italy. Individual units may impose curfews for junior enlisted personnel as a command policy. Check current command policies upon arrival.
Ration Card / Customs: Italy uses a ration card system for duty-free purchases at commissary and exchange facilities. Personnel receive monthly ration allocations for tobacco and alcohol products. Items purchased duty-free are for personal use only and may not be resold or transferred to Italian nationals. Italian customs regulations apply to goods brought off-post in excess of personal use quantities.
Vehicle Registration & Licensing: POVs must be registered with the Italian Ministry of Transportation (Motorizzazione Civile) and with USAG Italy. A USAREUR-issued driver’s license (based on U.S. state license) is required. Vehicles must meet Italian road standards; left-hand drive vehicles are standard. U.S. vehicles imported to Italy may need modifications. Vehicle registration is coordinated through the USAG Italy Vehicle Registration office in Vicenza.
Language & Culture: Italian is the official language; English is spoken in many tourist and commercial areas but less so in residential communities. Learning basic Italian is strongly encouraged. Italian culture values family, food, regional customs, and interpersonal courtesy. Language classes are available through ACS and the Education Center.
Currency & Banking: Euro (EUR) is the local currency. On-post banking options include a Community Bank branch or ATM. Local Italian banks and ATMs are widely available in Livorno and Pisa. Credit and debit cards are accepted in most businesses.
Travel Restrictions: Italy is a Schengen Area member; U.S. personnel on leave can generally travel freely within the Schengen Zone. Travel outside the Schengen Area requires a valid passport and command notification per unit policy. No specific travel restrictions beyond standard leave/pass approval.
Mail: APO address: Unit/PSC box, APO AE 09613 (Livorno area). Mail is routed through the U.S. Postal System APO network. Standard mail delivery from CONUS typically takes 7-21 days.
Pets: Italy does not impose quarantine on pets from the U.S. if they meet EU import requirements: ISO-standard microchip, valid rabies vaccination (administered after microchipping), EU health certificate (USDA-endorsed APHIS Form 7001 or equivalent) issued within 10 days of travel. Pets must be accompanied by an EU-format pet passport or equivalent documentation. Some dog breeds classified as dangerous (e.g., pit bull types) may be subject to Italian breed-specific legislation (BSL) requiring muzzling and leashing in public.

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Excellent beach weather from May through September. Rarely snows in the Livorno coastal area.
Cost of Living: Moderate by Italian standards; Livorno is less expensive than Florence or Rome. Fresh food markets, local restaurants, and regional wine are affordable. Imported U.S. goods are more expensive off-post.
Nearby Attractions: Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Piazza dei Miracoli (approximately 20 km); Florence (Firenze) and its world-class museums and Renaissance art (approximately 90 km); Cinque Terre coastal villages (approximately 90 km north); local Tuscan wineries and countryside.
Spouse Employment: On-post NAF and AAFES positions are the primary on-post employment opportunities. Remote work and telework have expanded options. Local Italian employment is possible but requires Italian language skills and work authorization. ACS Employment Readiness Program provides support.

Contact & Resources

Official Website: https://home.army.mil/darby/
Main Installation Phone: DSN 633-7111 / Commercial +39-050-54-7111 (approximate — verify through official channels)
MWR Website: https://italy.armymwr.com/
ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Army Community Service (ACS) Camp Darby — contact through installation operator; provides financial counseling, EFMP support, relocation assistance, and employment readiness.

Last updated: 2026-02-22
Sources: U.S. Army Installation Management Command Europe (IMCOM-Europe); home.army.mil/darby; italy.armymwr.com; DTMO OHA rates; DoDEA school locator; NATO SOFA documentation; USAG Italy housing office guidance; Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law