Aviano F-16 reaches 7,000-hour milestone

Airman 1st Class Richard Sprott, 31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, marshalls F-16 tail number 2057 down the runway before a routine training mission on May 5, 2009. This particular flight pushed the jet past its 7,000 flying hour-mark, which is a first in the Aviano F-16 Fighting Falcon fleet. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Patrick Dixon)

Aviano F-16 reaches 7,000-hour milestone

Airman 1st Class Richard Sprott, 31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, rests for a moment before marshalling F-16 tail number 2057 down the runway for a routine training mission on May 5, 2009. This particular flight pushed the jet past its 7,000 flying hour-mark, which is a first in the Aviano F-16 Fighting Falcon fleet. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Patrick Dixon)

The Frecce Tricolori Italian air force aerobatics team

The Frecce Tricolori Italian air force aerobatics team practices their newest flying formations over the skies of Aviano on April 21. Frecce Tricolori literally translates to tricolored arrows. It is the world's largest military aerobatic team and is regarded by many as being one of the most prestigious. The team was practicing for the start of the upcoming air show season that kicks off May 1 in Rivolto, Italy near Udine. The Frecce Tricolori aerobatics team is made up of ten Aermacchi MB-339-A/PAN aircraft from the Italian air force. The Aermacchi is a two-seater fighter-trainer and anti-tank aircraft capable of flying roughly 898 kilometers-per-hour at sea level. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Tabitha M. Mans)

The Frecce Tricolori Italian air force aerobatics team

The Frecce Tricolori Italian air force aerobatics team practices their newest flying formations over the skies of Aviano on April 21. Frecce Tricolori literally translates to tricolored arrows. It is the world's largest military aerobatic team and is regarded by many as being one of the most prestigious. The team was practicing for the start of the upcoming air show season that kicks off May 1 in Rivolto, Italy near Udine. The Frecce Tricolori aerobatics team is made up of ten Aermacchi MB-339-A/PAN aircraft from the Italian air force. The Aermacchi is a two-seater fighter-trainer and anti-tank aircraft capable of flying roughly 898 kilometers-per-hour at sea level. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Tabitha M. Mans)

Frecce Tricolori Italian air force aerobatics team

The Frecce Tricolori Italian air force aerobatics team practices their newest flying formations over the skies of Aviano on April 21. Frecce Tricolori literally translates to tricolored arrows. It is the world's largest military aerobatic team and is regarded by many as being one of the most prestigious. The team was practicing for the start of the upcoming air show season that kicks off May 1 in Rivolto, Italy near Udine. The Frecce Tricolori aerobatics team is made up of ten Aermacchi MB-339-A/PAN aircraft from the Italian air force. The Aermacchi is a two-seater fighter-trainer and anti-tank aircraft capable of flying roughly 898 kilometers-per-hour at sea level. (Air Force photo\Tech. Sgt. Patrick R. Hyde)

Frecce Tricolori Italian aerobatics team

The Frecce Tricolori Italian air force aerobatics team practices their newest flying formations over the skies of Aviano on April 21. Frecce Tricolori literally translates to tricolored arrows. It is the world's largest military aerobatic team and is regarded by many as being one of the most prestigious. The team was practicing for the start of the upcoming air show season that kicks off May 1 in Rivolto, Italy near Udine. The Frecce Tricolori aerobatics team is made up of ten Aermacchi MB-339-A/PAN aircraft from the Italian air force. The Aermacchi is a two-seater fighter-trainer and anti-tank aircraft capable of flying roughly 898 kilometers-per-hour at sea level. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. Patrick Dixon)