Italian Navy Harrier still going strong

After more as 15 years in service, the AV-8B are still the pride of of the Italian Navy , and Michael Balter report from Maristaer ( Naval Air Station )  Grottaglie in Southern Italy , where I was able to fly a mission with there working horse - the Harrier.

The Italian Navy ( Marina Militare Italina ) operates one of the most modern aircraft over sea and land today , the AV-8B Harrier II Plus. A multi-mission, short-takeoff vertical landing (STOVL) tactical strike aircraft .
Under the command of CF ( CDR ) Luca Conti, Commanding Officer of the GRUPAER
( Gruppo Aerei Imbarcati )  , he is in charge of 173 Men:

  21 Pilots (1 USMC)
  6 Officers (2 Intel, 1 Staff, 3 Maintenance)
  146 Petty Officers (133 Tecnicians, 13 Staff)  

The USMC exchange pilot is for an two year tour in Italy. The GRUPAER is in practice – from a logistical point of view –  the ninth USMC Harrier unit and was established  February 1, 1991 at NAS Grottaglie.

In November 2006 I had the opportunity and privelge to join a mission with Italian Navy AV-8 Harrier.
Good opportunities for stunning air to air pictures! Flown by the CO , CDR “Kaiman” Conti I was able to get a flight in a TAV-8B Harrier over Southern Italy on Nov 16, 2006 and # 2 was flown by the XO , LCDR “Master” Betta on that day.
We flew more as one hours , and this was one of the best flights I have ever had.

During this flight I had really good opportunities to get plenty of great a-air shots , which you will see now if you click on the thumbnails! I hope you enjoy them .... !

Acknowledgements
I would like like to thank CO CDR “Kaiman” Conti, XO LCDR “Master” Betta for the flight and the men of the GRUPAER @ NAS Grottaglie for their support, trust and hospitality during my visit. Without their support, this article could not have been written. Tante Grazie !!!!
Further I would like to thank CF DIONIGI Stato Maggiore Marina Militare in Rome and his whole team for their great support and making the visit possible.