Airman 1st Class Kaleb James Stanley's death in the dormitories at Aviano Air Base, Italy, in June spurred efforts to establish the Wyvern Wellness Room, a space dedicated to those who need to discuss personal issues with a chaplain or other service provider. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy — More than 700 airmen assigned to the 31st Fighter Wing call the seven dormitories on the flightline home.
Many of them, enlisted in rank from airman basic to staff sergeant, don’t have their own cars. So if they feel the need to get some one-on-one time with a chaplain or other care provider, it takes some effort.
At least it did before the base unveiled the Wyvern Wellness Room on Nov. 27.
The space — two small rooms on the ground floor of the dorms in Building 1428 — is the first of its kind on base. It’s designed to be a place where the 748 airmen assigned to the dorms can grab a cup of coffee, a snack or spend time talking with someone who will listen to whatever problems they might be having.
“We’re going to bring our services to them,” said Chaplain (Capt.) Chris Cannon, the lead chaplain assigned to the dormitories at Aviano.
Cannon already has been meeting with airmen in the dormitories, but the new space will give him and others a place to spend regular hours. One of the rooms is designed for one-on-one talks and the other is for airmen to gather informally.
Combined with an app expected to be launched in January, the project will give airmen a chance to schedule meetings, find out about services available to them, and serve as a place for organizations to showcase events.
Col. Matt Borawsky, commander of the 31st Mission Support Group, checks out the Wyvern Wellness Room after a dedication ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)
Organizations involved include the American Red Cross, Military & Family Life counselors and True North.
Col. Beau Diers, the wing commander, was one of the speakers at a short dedication ceremony.
“I’m really proud of all of you for coming up with this idea and bringing it to fruition,” he said.
Staff Sgt. Devon Mendoza, an airman dorm leader, said that life occasionally can get tough for young airmen assigned to a destination far from home. For some, it’s their first time outside the United States.
“You’re away from most of your support system and what you had growing up,” he said.
Tech Sgt. Aitofele Sunia, another airman dorm leader, said that can lead to loneliness or depression.
He said one of the goals of the project is to give airmen in the dorms a sense of community.
The Air Force Personnel Center has said Aviano is a top requested base for airmen in past years. But that doesn’t mean that life is perfect in northeastern Italy. Or that problems can’t arise.
Airman 1st Class Kaleb James Stanley took his own life in the dorms on June 15.
Mendoza said plans were already being discussed for the space before Stanley’s death, but the loss reinforced the need for such a place.
Cannon said the project is expected to evolve as airmen provide feedback.
“May it be a place in the community where all feel they belong,” Cannon said during the grand opening.
