domingo, 30 de septiembre de 2012

Humphreys Garrison.-


Armed with Hellfire missiles and 30mm Canon munitions during a blustery week in the middle of November, the 4th Attack Battalion, 2nd Aviation Regiment took aim with their AH-64 Apache helicopters at the Jikdo Islands. Jikdo is an instrumented range facility on two islands off the western coast of Korea, near Kunsan Air Base.

Prior to deploying to Kunsan, the unit participated in an Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise at Humphreys Garrison and the gunnery was part of the alert. Soldiers from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Delta Company and Echo Company deployed immediately following the alert to Kunsan to provide support with command and control, fueling operations, and ammunition support to the Apache pilots.

However, extreme weather conditions throughout the week limited the battalion’s ability to conduct the exercise as planned. Dealing with 15-foot waves and a fog cover that cut visibility to less than a mile, the “Death Dealers” persevered and on Nov. 8th the weather conditions lifted just long enough to conduct the mission.

“Conducting a mission while dealing with high winds, large waves, cold temperatures and long flights is difficult, but it also adds a level of realism to the training,” said Lt. Col. Thomas Rowell, 4-2 Avn. Battalion commander. For Rowell, the realistic nature of the training and intent behind the alert are extremely important in order to keep his battalion ready to “Fight Tonight.”

“The intent of the mission was to validate the battalion’s ability to conduct EDRE operations in support of the division commander’s readiness improvement initiative,” said Rowell. “Conducting missions like this helps to practice every aspect of our real world mission from the initial alert to deploying and finally to destroying any existing threats. The opportunity to execute an event that supports our war time mission and full spectrum training from an alert to firing missiles overwater is invaluable to the battalion.”


Elaborating on the importance of overwater training Rowell said, “Live fire overwater training extends our leaders’ reach and is an integrated component of the comprehensive defense posture here on the Korean peninsula. One of our objectives is to deny an adversary avenues and approaches into Korea. We do this by demonstrating our ability to search, acquire and destroy waterborne and ground threats with fire control radars, modernized target acquisition and designation systems, and long range Hellfire missiles.”

Rowell added, “Our ability to engage while stationary or while flying over 125 mph just over the water, day or night, gives us a tactical and maneuver advantage. If necessary, we can close with enemy vehicles or individuals and engage with our canon weapon systems to eliminate the threat.”

“Jikdo Island is a great venue for these types of exercises,” Rowell added, “because it provides an excellent field of fire and observation to engage Hellfire missiles. Furthermore, its location is perfect because of reduced shipping activity and its close proximity to Korea Search and Rescue services from both Republic of Korea and U.S. emergency services and recovery units.”

When asked whether he had enjoyed the exercise Rowell said emphatically, “The bottom line is that attack pilots always enjoy firing their primary weapon system in challenging environments. Not only do successful training events provide confidence to the individuals and organizations involved, but they also validate our full spectrum operations training focus as we conduct major combat operations in areas we may engage during a real world threat.”

***Story and photos by Cpl. Timothy N. Oberle, 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs.-

Fotos para la historia.-

Photo By USAF.
46th Fighter Squadron North American P-51 Mustang "Drip & Dick", being moved away from a burning Boeing B-29 "Superfortress" which crash landed on Iwo Jima, Bonin Islands.

miércoles, 26 de septiembre de 2012

Fotos para la historia.-

Photo By National Air and Space Museum Archives, Smithsonian Institution.
Jimmy Doolittle made the first "blind flight" on September 24, 1929. He took off in the NY-2, flew a set course, and landed while under a fabric hood and unable to see outside the airplane. He relied entirely on a directional gyro, artificial horizon, sensitive altimeter, and radio navigation.

martes, 25 de septiembre de 2012

Above All.-


“There are more people who have Super Bowl rings than there are U-2 pilots,” said Lt. Col. Stephen Rodriguez, the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron commander. “There are less than 1,000 pilots in the history of this program. That’s less than some airframes train in one year.”

Since the first model was assembled in the 1950s, the aircraft’s original, shiny aluminum skin has evolved to the current flat black paint scheme, and its mission has broadened as intelligence imagery techniques have improved.

It was originally designed to fly high-altitude intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions during the Cold War to gather intelligence on opposition forces. Today the U-2S flies in support of a variety of missions from ground combat to disaster relief. The aircraft has been updated over the years with a 33 percent larger frame, fiber-optic wiring and an all glass cockpit. These improvements increase the aircraft’s payload and loiter time, making it easier to fly.


The U-2’s dynamic airframe can carry approximately 4,000 pounds of equipment, paving the way as a test platform for new technologies. With its immense and diverse payload capacity, it is capable of a multitude of missions. Some pilots describe it as the “Lego” airplane.

“It’s like Mr. Potato Head,” said Lt. Col. John, an instructor pilot with the 99th Reconnaissance Squadron. “You just take one part out and add a new one. There are so many new developments running through the works right now. New weapons systems are going to emerge and accelerate the curve of the U-2 even more.”

One of the aircraft’s primary missions is to capture imagery via the decades-old, wet-film camera, which is sharp enough to see roadside bombs from 70,000 feet and offers greater resolution than any digital sensors available.

“The U-2 started out only carrying a wet-film camera. Now, with today’s technology, I’m alone up there, but I may be carrying 40 to 50 Airmen via data link who are back at a (deployable ground station),” John said.

In addition to its other capabilities, the U-2 provides service members on the ground with the intelligence they need to effectively carry out their mission, said Capt. Michael, a 1st Reconnaissance Squadron instructor pilot. This could include acting as an antenna to troops on the ground in Afghanistan or providing detailed imagery during a natural disaster.

“We are up there to make a difference,” Michael said. “We are there to make an impact on the troops we support.”

For operational security reasons, many details about the U-2 and its mission are unknown to the public. When the airframe was in its infancy, even pilots coming into the program knew very little about it. One of those men is retired Lt. Col. Tony Bevacqua, one of the original Air Force U-2 pilots.

Photo By USAF.
“I volunteered for an assignment I knew nothing about, and they wouldn’t tell me anything about the U-2,” Bevacqua said. “The aircraft was state-of-the-art back then; no one in the public knew about it.”

This first class of pilots had to learn everything about the aircraft from the ground up. They developed the first U-2 training program in a matter of weeks, much of which is still used today.

“Before I joined the Air Force, I’d never even built a model airplane, but we trained hard to learn everything about the U-2,” he said. “After weeks of being the first pilots in the U-2, we became the instructors for the second class of pilots.”

The program is considered an exclusive group, with less than 80 current U-2 pilots. After flying for years in other military airframes, a pilot from any U.S. service can apply to fly the U-2, Rodriquez said. Following a strict interview process, he sends these prospective aviators on a series of training flights to test the pilot’s aptitude.

Photo By USAF.
“We interview applicants to screen for airmanship, maturity and ability to adapt to the U-2’s unique landing characteristics,” he said. “Allowing inter-service transfers brings lessons from outside the Air Force, which helps us at operating in a joint environment.”

Although the pilots are the face of the U-2’s mission, hundreds of Airmen behind closed doors in windowless buildings exploit, disseminate and transmit the information the aircraft collects. These Airmen provide mission-essential assistance to commanders around the globe.

“To be able to support the warfighter from the U.S. is a great feeling,” said Master Sgt. Sean, the 9th Intelligence Squadron flight lead. “We contribute to the mission downrange whether we deploy and support the efforts with manpower and bullets or we support it through ‘intel’ from home station.”

The U-2 is at a high operational tempo and with the program schedule to endure through 2040, there are no signs of slowing down. U-2 pilots will continue to provide timely, relevant and persistent high altitude ISR to meet the needs of the nation’s leaders to support the current fight and any future challenges our nation may face.

Photo By Shane A. Cuomo.


Unos tiritos.-


domingo, 23 de septiembre de 2012

sábado, 22 de septiembre de 2012

Endeavour Mated to SCA.-


At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Endeavour is mounted atop NASA's Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, or SCA, in preparation for its ferry flight to California. The SCA, a modified 747 jetliner, will fly Endeavour to Los Angeles where it will be placed on public display at the California Science Center. This is the final ferry flight scheduled in the Space Shuttle Program era.

Small Diameter Bomb II.-

Photo By Raytheon.
The SDB II is the first in the next generation of smart weapons that use multi-mode seekers, and fully networked enabled data links to engage moving targets in bad weather or battlefield obscurants in high threat environments. The guided bomb is capable of defeating threats such as swarming boats, mobile air defense systems, or armored targets. SDB II’s integrated, tri-mode seeker, combines millimeter-wave radar, uncooled imaging infrared and semiactive laser sensors on a single gimbal, or pivoting mount.

viernes, 21 de septiembre de 2012

At her Majesty's service (One).-

Photo By Paul A. Barrow.
Aircrew members of 771 Naval Air Squadron walk from their Sea King helicopter following an exercise.

Photo By Martin Carney.
A Royal Navy Merlin helicopter overflies a Royal Marine Landing craft during an Olympic security exercise near Weymouth, Dorset.


Photo By Ray Jones.
Merlin helicopters from 814 Naval Air Squadron are pictured onboard HMS Illustrious during Exercise Joint Warrior near Scotland. 814 Naval Air Squadron – better known throughout the Navy as the Flying Tigers (hence their striking badge) – flies from ships and air bases around the world shielding the Fleet from submarines. They also take it in turns with their sister squadron 820 to support the international effort against illegal activities on the high seas east of Suez – that’s piracy, people-trafficking, smuggling, drug-running and terrorism. 

Photo By Caroline Davies.
A Royal Navy helicopter pilot with the Fleet Air Arm prays for good weather prior to a flypast for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations in London.

Photo By Dave Jenkins.
A line of Royal Navy Hawk trainer jets are pictured at RNAS Yeovilton sporting the livery of the 100th Anniversay of flying in the Royal Navy.

Photo By Mez Merrill.
A Royal Marine from the Commando Helicopter Force Mobile Air Operations Team (MAOT) directs Sea King Mk4 helos into a helicopter landing site (HLS) during Exercise Scottish Lion.

Photo By Stewart Paterson.
A Royal Air Force Typhoon jet is refuelled at RAF Northolt in Middlesex at the start of Exercise Olympic Guardian.

Photo By Pete Mobbs.
A Royal Air Force Tornado GR4 prepares for takeoff from Gioia Del Colle airbase in Italy during Operation Ellamy, the UN backed operation to secure the skies over Libya in 2011. The Tornado GR4 is a variable geometry, two-seat, day or night, all-weather attack aircraft capable of delivering a wide variety of weapons. Powered by two Rolls-Royce RB 199 Mk 103 turbofan engines, the GR4 is capable of low-level supersonic flight and can sustain a high subsonic cruise speed. The aircraft can fly automatically at low level using Terrain Following Radar (TFR) when poor weather prevents visual flight.

The aircraft is also equipped with Forward Looking InfraRed (FLIR) and is Night Vision Goggle (NVG) compatible. This gives it a relatively unique all weather night capability as well as making it an impressive platform for mounting passive night electro-optical operations.

For navigation purposes, the Tornado is equipped with an integrated Global Positioning Inertial Navigation System (GPINS). The GR4 also has a Ground Mapping Radar (GMR) to identify fix-points and update navigation systems as well as providing an air to air search facility.

The GR4 is also equipped with a Laser Ranger and Marked Target Seeker (LRMTS) that can be used to locate targets designated on the ground or can provide accurate range information to ground targets.

Photo By Russ Nolan.
A paratrooper waits for the signal to jump from a Hercules aircraft. Soldiers from 16 Air Assault Brigade are training to maintain their role as the British Army's Rapid Reaction Force.

More than 1600 troops were taking part in Exercise Joint Warrior in southwest Scotland. The training is a key step in maintaining the skills necessary for the Airborne Task Force (ABTF) role, which sees the Colchester-based 16 Air Assault Brigade ready to deploy anywhere in the world at five days notice. The exercise scenario saw the area of West Freugh airfield representing part of an area disputed by two fictional nations named Pastonia and Dragonia, which were divided by economic and ethnic factors.

The scenario represented complex challenges for the international community requiring NATO to send a rapid intervention force to the area to create the conditions for a United Nations peacekeeping force to take control. The UK's ABTF used a combination of parachute, air assault, and tactical air landings to rapidly insert the troops into the disputed area.

Once inserted the ABTF, based around the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (5 SCOTS) Battle Group, continued to defend the airfield. The Battle Group also developed the airfield into a base from which several air assault operations could be launched to defeat the enemy force, create stable conditions for the population, and potentially evacuate UK civilians.

Photo By Ray Jones.
Flight deck crews onboard HMS Illustrious battle a snowstorm to clear the deck of snow and ice. HMS Illustrious was operating off the coast of Norway taking part in Exercise Cold Response. The ship was supposed to be embarking Royal Marines this afternoon from K Company, 42 Commando, but the weather took a turn for the worse. Driving snow brought the flight deck to a standstill and all flying operations were postponed until further notice.

The flight deck crews and aircraft maintainers had to battle high winds and blizzard conditions to secure the aircraft to the deck before retreating inside for a well earned cup of tea.

Photo By Simmo Simpson.
A Kuwaiti F18 Hornet fighter aircraft stages an attack on Royal Navy Type 23 frigate HMS St Albans as a member of the ships protection force, trains a mini gun on the fast moving target during an exercise in the Middle East.

As HMS ST Albans made passage en route to Kuwait, the ship took part in a Passex (Passage Exercise) with Kuwaiti forces. The ship came under attack from Kuwaiti F18 Hornet jets prior to providing a Kuwaiti Supe Puma helicopter a platform to practice winching drills.

HMS St Albans was deployed to the Middle East for 6 months carrying out Counter Terrorism, Anti Narcotics and Anti Piracy operations before returning to the UK in December 2011.

Photo By Russ Nolan.
Captain Harry Wales prepares his Apache helicopter prior to a training mission in the USA.

Exercise Crimson Eagle is the final conversion training for Army Air Corps Apache pilots, the first part takes place in Naval Air Facility (NAF) El Centro, California, before moving to Gila Bend in Arizona for the live firing phase. The terrain for the exercise is very similar to that of Afghanistan, making it extremely realistic and demanding for the pilots.

Photo By Dave Blackburn.
A Royal Air Force GR4 Tornado aircraft awaits permission to take off from Kandahar Airfield during Operation Moshtarak in Afghanistan. Tornado GR4 aircraft from 904 Expeditionary Air Wing, based at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan played a vital role in the ISAF Operation MOSHTARAK. The aircraft are provided close air support for ISAF troops on the ground and imagery to aid battle commanders and identify possible Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).

Photo By Dave Sterratt.
Trainee Royal Navy aircrew are pictured during a lecture onboard RFA Argus. Their detachment to the ship was the final hurdle before earning their wings as pilots, observers and aircrewmen in the Fleet Air Arm.

Photo By Phil Major.
A Royal Air Force aircrewman sits in the back of a Puma helicopter during Exercise Askari Thunder over Northern Kenya.

Since the Royal Air Force Puma Force completed its role on operations in Iraq in the Summer of 2009, it has been providing dedicated aviation support to British Army training on Exercise ASKARI THUNDER in northern Kenya. Exercise ASKARI THUNDER is a major stepping stone for the Army’s pre-deployment training for Afghanistan. Aviation support to this exercise is provided by the Joint Helicopter Force (Kenya) (JHF(K)), which comprises a joint command structure, primarily operating RAF Puma helicopters.

The home base for JHF(K) is elevated some 6200ft above mean sea level at the Kenyan Air Force’s Laikipia Air Base. With a generally hot and dry climate that includes two rainy seasons, conditions are testing. The Exercise area covers a range of environments from the dense Jungle of Kathendini to the relatively high mountains which surround the extensive plains of the Great Rift Valley. Conditions in the areas of the plains and mountains are very similar to those found in Afghanistan.

The extensive Kenyan-managed live-firing range at Archers Post provides a realistic backdrop for integrated tactical and live-fire preparatory training; a five-hour drive from the basic medical facilities at NSG (Nanyuki Show Ground) and a further four hours from Nairobi. Soldiers deploy for a minimum of two weeks to Archers Post and throughout this time it is inevitable that there will be a requirement for medical treatment due to the nature of the environment in which they are training. The availability of JHF(K) support is therefore critical to enabling the arduous live-fire training to take place with the comfort of a rapid casualty transfer from the point of wounding to the most suitable medical facility.


Photo By Pete Devine.
A Royal Air Force Typhoon pilot climbs into the cockpit at the end of Operation Ellamy in 2011. The last 4 Royal Air Force FGR4 Typhoons left the Italian '36 Stormo' air base at Gioia del Colle in Southern Italy after completing a successful deployment.

The Typhoons of 3(F)Squadron were deployed on Operation Ellamy as part of the UK contribution to NATO's Operation Unified Protector which enforces UN Security Council Resolution 1973, which aims to protect Libyan civilians from the Qadhafi regime.

The Typhoons formed part of 906 Expeditionary Air Wing (906 EAW). IX personnel saw off the jets from the pan at Gioia del Colle; 3(F) Squadron personnel left theatre earlier in the morning.


Photo By Andy Benson.
Members of II Squadron RAF Regiment and the US Marine Corps board a US Osprey aircraft at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan. The Coalition troops deployed on Operation Backfoot, a combined operation to disrupt insurgent activity in Helmand province.

A Joint UK/US/Afghan operation south of Bastion Airfield involving 2 Squadron, RAF Regiment, has found and destroyed a large cache of Taliban IED-making equipment which was ready to be used in attacks against Afghan and ISAF forces.

Operation Dishata Pasha (Pashtu for Backfoot) was launched at dawn on Monday (Feb 6), with RAF Regiment troops under command of Sqn Ldr Jules Weekes (33), Officer Commanding 2 Sqn, RAF Regiment. The force also included warriors from Afghan Army’s 3rd Brigade and US Marines from 2 Marine Expeditionary Force.

The force deployed by US Osprey aircraft, with its unique tilt-rotor capability, and the operation resulted in the find and destruction of a suspected insurgent IED cache close to Bastion Airfield in Helmand Province. The force also scooped a wealth of intelligence despite coming under fire several times.

The operation took place in the Dasht (or desert) south of Bastion Airfield, whose protection is the task of 2 Squadron, operating as part of 3 RAF Force Protection Wing. The Dasht is a sparse landscape of rolling fields and scrub dotted with compounds and is increasingly being used as a harbour area by Taliban forces who have come under pressure elsewhere by successful coalition operations.


Photo By Mez Merrill.
The pilot and co-pilot at the controls of a Royal Navy Seaking Mk4 helicopter whilst on operations over Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Royal Navy Sea King Mk4 helicopters from 845 and 846 Naval Air Squadrons normally based with Commando Helicopter Force at the Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton in Somerset, flying as part of the Joint Helicopter Force Afghanistan in support of current operations in Afghanistan.


Photo By RayJones.
An Army Air Corps Apache helicopter is pictured being lifted from the hangar to the deck onboard the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious. Two Apache helicopters from 664 Squadron, Army Air Corps embarked for a two week training package, to enable pilots and ground crews to acclimatise to working in a maritime environment. They were joined by a Chinook from 7 Squadron, Royal Air Force which flew out to the ship for a few hours deck landing practice.


Photo By Mark Dixon.
A Royal Air Force Hawk pilot from 208 Squadron walks away from his aircraft to a post sortie debrief at RAF Valley in Anglesey, Wales.

Uno de esos días duros.-


Hay días complicados, duros, interminables...., uno de esos días en que uno hubiése preferido seguir, calentito, en la cama. Esto es una conversación absolutamente real entre la TWR del aeropuerto JFK de Nueva York, y el diferente tráfico civil desplegado por rampas y rodaduras.

PS.- Gracias a la tripulación del IBERIA (A340-600) que me ha dado a conocer la grabación para deleite de todos, y que tuvo que sufrir en directo "uno de esos días duros" para el controlador.

To infinity and beyond.-

Photo By Luftwaffe.
A total of 85 aircraft of the German Air Force are due to be modified under the ASSTA 3.0 modernisation programme led by Cassidian. One of three aircraft to have been returned to Luftwaffe use in late June following the completion of ASSTA 3.0 modernisation work, is assigned to the Büchel-based Fighter Bomber Wing 33.

Work conducted under the upgrade includes adding a Saab radar warning receiver below the forward fuselage, a digital moving map sourced from the Eurofighter Typhoon programme, a digital video and data recorder, and a Saturn radio.

A new display also enables the pilot to see imagery from the aircraft's targeting pod for the first time. Crucially, it also introduces the hardware and basic software for the Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS)/Link 16 datalink.

Another key enhancement is the integration of Boeing's GBU-54 laser-guided JDAM. Five of the 226kg (500lb) weapons will be released over Sweden's Vidsel test range next month as part of an operational test and evaluation activity involving four aircraft.

Full integration of the MIDS equipment will come with a subsequent ASSTA 3.1 phase in 2015. This will also replace obsolete displays in the rear cockpit and introduce new chaff and flare dispensers to further boost self-protection.

Photo By Craig Barret.
Mr. Steve Cam, from the Australian Tactical Fighter Systems Program Office, with a completed Hornet Upgrade Phase 2.3 F/A-18 Hornet during the official project completion ceremony held at RAAF Base Williamtown.

The completion of the Hornet Upgrade Phase 2.3 (HUG2.3) has delivered a comprehensive capability upgrade to the RAAF's fleet of Classic Hornets including an electronic warfare modification program comprising a replacement radar warning receiver, a supplementary countermeasures dispenser and electronic countermeasures systems, and an enhanced data recording capability.

Photo By Craig Barret.
Israel Aerospace Industries (ELTA) representative, Mr. Jonathon Lipsky with a completed Hornet Upgrade Phase 2.3 F/A-18 Hornet during the official project completion ceremony held at RAAF Base Williamtown.

From myth to legend.-


A TV crew doing a show on the weapons and vehicles of war in Afghanistan, happen to be aboard an RAF Chinook helicopter when it is called out to evacuate some US and Afghan Army casualties from a firefight.

The aircraft comes under fire during the evacuation, and a round goes through the windshield, wounding pilot Flight Lieutenant Ian "Chomper" Fortune in the face. He maintains his composure and completes his mission by returning the damaged aircraft, crew and casualties safely back to base.

The pilot, 28, from the RAF's 27 Squadron, received the Distinguished Flying Cross for "an act of valour, courage whilst flying in active operations". Flt Lt Fortune, of Kingston, Surrey, said to his crew: "Chaps, I think I've been hit - but I'm OK."

In addition, the legend of the Bravo November Continues to Grow.

Fotos para la historia.-


Photo By NASA.
NACA Test Pilot George Cooper and Engineer Seth Anderson, 1960.

jueves, 20 de septiembre de 2012

Flanker Bar at Nellis.-

Photo By AFB Nellis, Nevada.
Comanche Territory.

Think you're good enough? Good luck.

Photo By AFB Nellis, Nevada.
Photo By AFB Nellis, Nevada.
Photo By AFB Nellis, Nevada.
Photo By AFB Nellis, Nevada.
Photo By AFB Nellis, Nevada.

Have a bandit day!

Hipoxia.-


Si bien es cierto que podría tratarse de un video demostrativo de las capacidades intelectuales de los pilotos de la armada, la verdad es que la hipoxia (carencia de oxígeno en el organismo) es uno de los peligros fundamentales y más aterradores que cualquier tripulante puede sufrir.

Conocer los síntomas y anticiparse a ellos es fundamental para sobrevivir a un ambiente hipóxico, así como la comprobación anterior al vuelo de todos los elementos físicos que componen el Sistema de Alimentación y Generación de Oxígeno. Sistemas Automáticos de Control de Vuelo que toman el mando de la aeronave y la colocan en una situación espacial segura para el piloto, en caso de que se detecte un comportamiento errático e incoherente por su parte, marcan hoy en día la gran diferencia entre la vida y la muerte. Sin duda el Eurofighter ha dado un paso en ese sentido, que aún no ha podido ser igualado por ninguna otra aeronave operativa en el mundo, ni lo será entre las que próximamente entren en servicio.

Fotos para la historia.-

Photo By USAF.
Convair B-58A Hustler SAC Alert, 1960.

miércoles, 19 de septiembre de 2012

Fotos para la historia.-

Photo By Alenia Aeronautica.
Marco Venanzetti was born in Rome, Italy, on 31 August 1962. He joined the Italian Air Force in September 1982. He attended the Italian Air Force Academy from which he graduated in March 1986. In March 1986 he joined the Undergraduate Pilot Training at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, USA, and graduated in June 1987.

He was then assigned to the Operational Conversion Unit at Grosseto Air Force Base, Italy, flying the TF-104 and after the completion of the course he joined the 9th Fighter Interceptor Squadron flying the F-104S Starfighter.

After four years of operational flying, Marco was selected from the Italian Air Force Flight Test Center and, on May 1992, was assigned to the US Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards AFB, California, from where he graduated Experimental Test Pilot in June 1993.

Returning to Italy, Marco was assigned to the Eurofighter Test Team of the Italian Air Force where he worked till September 1997 participating at various Working Groups. He flew the Eurofighter as military Test Pilot twice (October 1996 and April 1997).

In September 1997 Marco was recalled to the operational world as Squadron Commander of the 101st Operational Conversion Unit flying the AMX and AMX-T. During this period he participated to the Bosnia campaign flying the AMX in the Close Air Support role. Marco left the active service in September 1998 to join Alenia Aeronautica as Experimental Test Pilot where, beside the Eurofighter, he was involved in all Company fighter programs like TORNADO and AMX.

In November 2006 he was appointed Chief Test Pilot and since December 2008 is the Director of Flight Operations. Marco has flown more than 4500 hours and has been pilot in command in 76 different aircraft and helicopters.

Desde la percha.-


martes, 18 de septiembre de 2012

Un día en la escuela.-


Nenes, al cole. Hoy toca gestión del vuelo de prueba en un C-12. Algo ligerito.




Vértice geodésico en Edwards.


Ya está la cartera, faltan los Donuts.


Otro que sale a sus cosas en un T-38.



¡Ninja!


Toda la noche poniendo hilitos en la cola.


Por ahí abajo un Viper anda zascandileando.


Y por ahí arriba dos van que se las pelan.


De vuelta a casa, debriefing, una comida rápida a salto de mata y por la tarde simulador, dos horitas de clase y ya queda menos para empezar un nuevo día en el cole.