Aviano's Finest - Airman Basic-Technical Sergeant Category Published Jan. 26, 2010 AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- Name: Airman 1st Class Michael A. Kilburn Unit: 31st Maintenance Squadron Duty Title: Avionics Intermediate Section Team Member How long have you worked for the military: 16 months Hometown City, State and/or Country: Meadville, Pennsylvania --- home state of the Pittsburg Steelers. How do you support the 31st Fighter Wing mission: I help ensure the mission readiness of all assigned F-16 aircraft by inspecting, maintaining and repairing aircraft avionics systems, subsystems and associated support equipment. What's one thing you've learned about Italy's history, people and culture: One thing I've learned about Italian culture is their wonderful assortment of foods and wines. I've been on many different wine tastings, sampled many different Italian foods, and I've enjoyed them all. I've also learned that Italian people accomplish tasks a little slower than Americans. What might take one week to get fixed back home could very well take two to three weeks in Italy. What's one advantage of being stationed overseas: Being a military member stationed overseas has countless benefits. One large advantage is being able to travel all over Europe at a much cheaper cost. Once overseas, being able to travel by train or Ryan Air is much more convenient and affordable for people who love to travel. What's your favorite European destination and why? I have traveled all over Europe from Munich to Florence, but my favorite destination by far is Vienna, Austria. Austria, a country filled with immeasurable mountains and rushing waterfalls, is an absolutely beautiful place to visit. I've spent my time strolling the shop-filled streets and taking in all the beautiful sights Vienna has to offer. One evening I even found myself in a concert hall observing a reenactment of a Mozart orchestra concert. However, my favorite sight in all of Vienna was the Schoenberg Palace. This palace displays European monarch antiquity in all of its glory. So Vienna is definitely my favorite place in Europe, due to the beautiful cleanliness of the city and overall country.