David Sarvai

David Sarvai

Wednesday, 02 May 2012 18:20

Aviano Activates Second F-16 Unit

The final piece of the 31st Fighter Wing puzzle is put in place this afternoon as the 510th Fighter Squadron stands up at Aviano.

The wing accepts its second fighter squadron during two ceremonies today: at 3 p.m. in hardened aircraft shelter64 in Sierra Loop Lt. Col. Gary West (pictured left accepting the Squadron Flag) addresses the members of the 510th, and at 6 p.m. Lt. Gen. Joseph W. Ashy presides over a ceremony in which the 510th and 616th Regional Support Group join 16th Air Force.

Wednesday, 02 May 2012 18:20

Symmetry in Motion

These words were found in a scrapbooks and are so powerfully spoken as to the ideals and ambitions each and every Buzzard holds within him or her. The words are written by Commander Lt Col Gary "Gumby" West during Operation DELIBERATE FORCE.

Wednesday, 02 May 2012 18:20

Pilot gets First Combat Experience

Written by: Capt. Lindsey Borg

AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy (AFNS) -- Operation Deliberate Force strike sorties continue to take the fight to the Bosnian Serbs in an effort to force their compliance with United Nations and NATO demands. In many cases, the sorties also take Air Force pilots into their first combat experiences.

Wednesday, 02 May 2012 18:19

Buzzards Fly With MiG 29s

Story by SrA. Dan Neely, Public Affairs
Photo by SrA Tana Hamilton

More than 120 members of the 510th Fighter Squadron returned home May 26 following a three-week training deployment to Decimomannu, Sardinia, where they slugged it out with their German counterparts in "friendly" competition at the Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation Range.

Wednesday, 02 May 2012 18:19

510th Intercepts Super Galebs

Aviano's F-16s recently intercepted several Serbian Super Galeb aircraft, as well as an Albanian MiG 17 while flying missions in support of Operation SILVER WAKE.

The first of three incidents occurred over international waters off the coast of northern Albania March 18 at 9:20 a.m., when 51Oth Fighter Squadron jets spotted foreign aircraft.

Wednesday, 02 May 2012 18:19

510th Flies with LANTIRN for DF

The pockets of fighting in Bosnia which led to NATO air raids in November, also led to the 510th Fighter Squadron beefing up its capabilities in Deny Flight taskings by adding the targeting pod system of the Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night.

As the 51Oth Fighter Squadron assumed the "Deny Flight" watch from the 555th FS for December, officials wanted to increase the capability of patrolling fighters.

Wednesday, 02 May 2012 18:18

510th Commemorates First Year

June 30 marked a highly successful first year for the 510th Fighter Squadron at Aviano, in which walking came before running, but sprinting was on everyone's mind.

After a historic activation, the squadron turned immediately to one of the many tasks at hand; gearing up to the NATO tasking of patrolling the no-fly zone.

Wednesday, 02 May 2012 18:17

Rescuing Captain Scott O'Grady

The following is an email transmission from Captain Zobrist (510FS Pilot) who was involved in the Search and Rescue attempt of Captain Scott O'Grady (555FS Pilot) who was shot down during a Bosnian Mission from Aviano AB, Italy.

Wednesday, 02 May 2012 18:17

31st FW First to Fly F-16 AFAC Missions

Written by: Sgt. Devin Fisher

DAVIS-MONTHAN AFB, Ariz. (AFNS) -- The 31st Fighter Wing is making history as pilots from Aviano AB, Italy, become the first F-16 Fighting Falcons to perform the airborne forward air control mission.

Pilots from the 555th and 510th Fighter squadrons are proving the multi-role F-16 is capable of performing yet another mission as they train hand-in-hand with A-10 instructor pilots at Davis-Monthan, writing the book on how the aircraft can successfully perform AFAC duty.

Wednesday, 02 May 2012 18:16

Calm Before the Storm

by TSgt. Timothy P. Barela
photos by MSgt. Rose Reynolds

Flying Deny Flight missions over war-torn Bosnia is no "walk in the park." But taking advantage of outdoor activities and Italy helps Capt. Anthony and Janette Roberson deal with the stress of Anthony's job.

Nestled near the foothills of the Alps, the scenery at Aviano AB, Italy, is nothing short of spectacular. The location? A tourist's dream: By train, the base is an hour away from Venice, one of the world's most romantic cities. Via car, it's a short 45 minutes to the beach, or 35 minutes to the ski slopes. . . .