In the early 1950s American troops established the military complex Camp Darby not far from Tirrenia. Subsequently, American families began to rent villas and flats in Tirrenia. In the mid to late-1950s through the early-1990s, many of the inhabitants of Tirrenia were American families. The American Beach in Tirrenia (which closed at the end of the 2014 summer season and became a free beach) was a vacation venue for American and NATO troops stationed throughout Europe. At least during the 1980s, (or possibly earlier) and at least as late as 1990 lifeguards were US Soldiers from units in Vicenza and Camp Darby. The lifeguards from the American Beach also provided lifeguard services to both adjoining Italian free beaches. For many years, retired American personnel who had remained in Italy due to having married Italian women, provided night security. Fourth of July celebrations were often held on the beach, as it was fairly easy to set up pyrotechnical displays without fear of causing fires. They were anchored in the sand and fired out over the water. The American Beach played a minor role during Operation Desert Shield. A goodly number of troops heading into the Desert, were provided R&R at Camp Darby. The Beach normally closed on Labor Day, that year it remained open through September to provide troops a place to be.