Branch: U.S. Army
Location: Vicenza, Veneto, Italy
Installation Type: Garrison (U.S. Army Garrison Italy — USAG Italy)
Status: Active

Overview

Caserma Ederle is the primary installation of U.S. Army Garrison Italy (USAG Italy) and serves as the headquarters of the Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) and the 173rd Airborne Brigade. Located within Vicenza, a historic city in the Veneto region of northeastern Italy, the installation was established after World War II on former Italian military grounds and named after Gertrude Ederle, the first American woman to swim the English Channel. Del Din Barracks (formerly Villaggio del Soldato), a separate USAG Italy site in Vicenza, provides additional housing and support facilities.

Mission & Units

• Primary Mission: Serve as the home of SETAF-AF (Southern European Task Force, Africa) and the 173rd Airborne Brigade, projecting U.S. Army airborne and security cooperation capabilities across Europe and Africa in support of NATO and U.S. national objectives.
• Major Units: Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) — Headquarters; 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team (ABCT) — the U.S. Army’s Contingency Response Force in Europe; 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment; 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment; 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment; 173rd Brigade Support Battalion; 12th Combat Aviation Brigade (partially supported).
• Tenant Units: Various USAG Italy administrative and support elements; NATO School Oberammergau liaison; AAFES, DeCA, and other support tenants.

Location & Access

• Nearest Major City: Vicenza city center, approximately 2 km. Venice (Venezia) approximately 75 km east; Verona approximately 55 km west; Padua (Padova) approximately 30 km east.
• Nearest Commercial Airport: Vicenza Airport (VIC) — primarily military/charter use; Venice Marco Polo International Airport (VCE), approximately 75 km east; Verona Villafranca Airport (VRN), approximately 60 km west.
• Gate Access: Access to Caserma Ederle requires a valid CAC or NATO equivalent. Visitor passes are issued at the Visitor Control Center during duty hours with sponsor coordination. Del Din Barracks operates similarly. Security measures are consistent with IMCOM-Europe standards.

Population

• Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 3,500-4,500 (including 173rd ABCT soldiers; varies with deployments)
• Family Members: Approximately 4,000-6,000
• Civilian Employees: Approximately 500-1,500 (U.S. and Italian national employees)
• Total Installation Population: Approximately 8,000-12,000

Key Facilities

• Medical: Caserma Ederle Health Clinic — primary and some specialty care; the Vicenza Community Hospital (now Villagio del Soldato Medical Home — Del Din) provides expanded outpatient services; referrals to local Italian facilities or Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (Germany) for advanced specialty or inpatient care.
• Commissary: Yes — full-service commissary at Del Din Barracks serving USAG Italy.
• Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes — AAFES main store and food court facilities at Caserma Ederle and Del Din Barracks. Class VI available.
• Fitness & Recreation: Multiple fitness centers at Caserma Ederle and Del Din Barracks, outdoor sports fields, basketball and tennis courts, Caserma Ederle Community Club, and access to MWR outdoor recreation programs including skiing, hiking, and travel to surrounding European destinations.
• Schools: DoDEA Vicenza Elementary School and Vicenza Middle/High School are located on or near the installation, serving military-connected students K-12.
• Childcare: Child Development Center (CDC) at Del Din Barracks — waitlists common; School Age Services (SAS) available; contact CYS for current availability.
• Veterinary Services: Veterinary Treatment Facility (VTF) on post — provides routine preventive care, vaccinations, health certificates, and microchipping. Essential for preparing pets for EU import/export.
• Legal Assistance / JAG: Office of the Staff Judge Advocate (OSJA) at Caserma Ederle — provides legal assistance by appointment for wills, POAs, tax assistance, and SOFA matters; limited walk-in hours for powers of attorney.

Housing

• On-Post Housing: Family housing available at Del Din Barracks (Villaggio del Soldato area) and limited units at Caserma Ederle; managed by USAG Italy Housing Services Office (HSO). Housing ranges from apartments to townhouse-style units.
• Average Wait Time: Waitlists for on-post family housing are common; average wait 2-6 months depending on grade and family size. Off-post housing is the norm for many families.
• Off-Post Housing: Vicenza and surrounding towns (Caldogno, Sovizzo, Creazzo, Altavilla Vicentina, Longare) offer Italian apartments, villas, and townhouses. Average rent ranges approximately 800-1,400 EUR/month for a 2-3 bedroom unit. Italian lease contracts are standard; the HSO provides off-post housing assistance and landlord lists.
• 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; contact the unit S1 or rear detachment to request a sponsor prior to departure. USAG Italy ACS Relocation Readiness Program provides pre-arrival resources and welcome information.
• In-Processing: Report to the USAG Italy Installation Processing Center (IPC) at Caserma Ederle; in-processing typically spans 2-5 duty days covering finance, medical, housing, legal, and administrative requirements. The SETAF-AF or 173rd ABCT unit in-processing follows garrison in-processing.
• EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): EFMP enrollment screening is mandatory prior to PCS for family members with special needs. Italy has accessible medical services and Vicenza is well-resourced compared to smaller European posts; however, pre-screening at the losing installation is essential. Contact the ACS EFMP Coordinator for current procedures.

OCONUS-Specific Information

• SOFA Status: U.S. forces in Italy operate under the NATO Status of Forces Agreement (NATO SOFA) of 1951, supplemented by the U.S.-Italy Bilateral Infrastructure Agreement (1954, amended) and the 1995 Technical Arrangement. The SOFA governs jurisdiction, use of facilities, taxation, customs privileges, and the legal status of U.S. military and authorized civilian personnel.
• Host Nation Rules: Personnel are subject to Italian law while off-post. Key areas include strict traffic laws (speed cameras are prevalent), zero-tolerance DUI enforcement (0.5 g/L blood alcohol limit — lower than U.S.), noise ordinances, and building regulations. Firearms ownership by U.S. personnel off-post is subject to Italian law. Italian community relations are a high command priority; the 173rd Brigade and USAG Italy maintain active liaison programs with the Vicenza community.
• Curfew Policy: No general government-imposed curfew for adults in Italy. Unit commanders may impose internal curfews for junior enlisted. Personnel should check current unit and garrison policies during in-processing.
• Ration Card / Customs: Italy operates a duty-free ration card system for commissary and AAFES purchases. Monthly purchase limits apply to tobacco and alcohol products. Duty-free items are for personal use and authorized family members only; resale to Italian nationals is illegal and a SOFA violation. Italian customs regulations apply to off-post quantities of controlled goods.
• Vehicle Registration & Licensing: POVs must be registered with USAG Italy Vehicle Registration and with Italian authorities (Motorizzazione Civile). A USAREUR-issued driver’s license is required — U.S. state licenses are not valid for on-road use in Italy. Driving is on the right side of the road. Vehicles must have a Euro standard safety kit (reflective vest, warning triangle). USAREUR plates are required for U.S. government and personal vehicles operated by SOFA personnel. Left-hand drive U.S. vehicles typically require no modification for Italian roads.
• Language & Culture: Italian is the official language. Vicenza is a regional city with less English spoken than Venice or Milan; basic Italian is very helpful for daily life, dealing with landlords, and interacting with Italian nationals. The Veneto region has its own dialect (Veneto) in addition to standard Italian. Italian culture in the Veneto area emphasizes family, regional pride, excellent cuisine, and craftsmanship. Language classes are available through ACS and the Education Center.
• Currency & Banking: Euro (EUR) is the local currency. On-post banking includes a Community Bank branch at Caserma Ederle or Del Din and on-post ATMs. Italian banks and ATMs are widely available in Vicenza. Credit cards are accepted in most businesses; cash is still preferred for smaller transactions.
• Travel Restrictions: Italy is a Schengen Area member; travel within the Schengen Zone is generally unrestricted with appropriate leave/pass approval. Travel outside Schengen requires a valid passport and command notification. No specific geographic travel restrictions within Italy for most personnel. 173rd ABCT soldiers subject to deployment and recall requirements per unit readiness policy.
• Mail: APO address: Unit PSC, APO AE 09630 (Vicenza area). Mail is routed through the APO postal system. Standard mail delivery from CONUS typically takes 7-21 days.
• Pets: Italy follows EU pet import regulations. Requirements include ISO-standard microchip, rabies vaccination (administered after microchipping), and an EU-format health certificate (USDA-endorsed APHIS Form 7001 or equivalent) issued within 10 days of travel for entry from the U.S. No quarantine required if all documentation is in order. Italian law (Ordinanza Ministeriale) regulates certain dog breeds considered dangerous — some breeds require muzzling and leashing in public spaces. VTF at USAG Italy can provide current guidance.

Local Area & Quality of Life

• Climate: Humid subtropical/continental climate with warm, humid summers and cold winters; snow is possible December-February in the Vicenza area; the nearby Dolomite Mountains offer excellent winter skiing. Spring and autumn are mild and pleasant.
• Cost of Living: Moderate by northern Italian standards; Vicenza is less expensive than Venice or Milan but not as affordable as southern Italy. Fresh local produce, regional Veneto wines, and dining out are excellent value. On-post facilities significantly offset daily expenses.
• Nearby Attractions: Vicenza’s Palladio-designed architecture (UNESCO World Heritage Site); Venice and its canals approximately 75 km east; Verona (Romeo and Juliet, Roman amphitheater) approximately 55 km west; Dolomite Mountains for skiing and hiking 90-120 km north; Lake Garda approximately 85 km west.
• Spouse Employment: On-post employment includes AAFES, DeCA, NAF positions, CYS, DoDEA schools, and contractor roles. Remote work and telework have expanded significantly. Local Italian employment requires Italian language and work authorization; some spousal employment opportunities exist within the SOFA framework. ACS Employment Readiness Program provides support and job search resources.

Contact & Resources

• Official Website: https://home.army.mil/italy/
• Main Installation Phone: DSN 636-7111 / Commercial +39-0444-71-7111 (approximate — verify through official channels)
• MWR Website: https://italy.armymwr.com/
• ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Army Community Service (ACS), USAG Italy — located at Caserma Ederle and Del Din Barracks; provides relocation readiness, EFMP support, financial counseling, employment readiness, and family programs.

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