 In 1923 Grottaglie was a military airfield of Regia Aeronautica
During World War II, was a military airfield used by Regia Aeronautica and after by the United States Army Air Forces.The airfield was designed for heavy bomber use, and was a major base for Fifteenth Air Force B-24 Liberator heavy bombers used in the strategic bombardment campaign against Germany.In addition, Twelfth Air Force tactical bombers were stationed at the airfield which were used to support Allied ground forces in the Italian Campaign.