Aviano's Finest - Italian Civilian Category Published June 25, 2009 AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- Unit: 31st Aerospace Medicine Squadron How long have you worked at Aviano Air Base? 20 years Title of address: Signora First & Last Name: Michela Del Col Duty Title: Language Specialist Name of town/city and Italian province you are from: Fontanafredda How do you support the 31st Fighter Wing mission? I provide ongoing translation services and serve as liaison among the Italian/American Public Health Departments, Environmental Protection Agencies, Aerospace Physiology, Veterinary officials and Flight Surgeons. I interact with European Command Public Health officials and participate in regional and area of responsibility program/risk analysis and planning. What's one thing you've learned about America's history, people and culture? I've always admired America for the strong sense of national pride among the population as a whole, and the American culture, so rich and varied, and full of traditions, ideals, customs, beliefs, values, arts and innovations. What's one advantage of working with Americans? To be given the chance to (1) share pride, values, equal opportunity and to excel, and (2) working with people extremely knowledgeable, firm, caring and fair. What's your favorite European destination and why? Trieste: A view of the world; a thousand faces to see, in an original blend of cultures, religions and architectures ... a little bit like America. Why I nominated Signora Del Col as one of Aviano's Finest? "Signora Del Col is an exceptional performer and unmatched liaison! She trumped all European Command's pandemic tabletop exercise players, briefing real-world disease outbreaks and cooperation with host nation combatant commanders - a benchmark for response. She is also a key intelligence player, diplomatic medical liaison and outstanding linguist! She has been vital in disease containment exercises and real-world events. Her accomplishments allow the wing to be combat ready. She also created a current listing of all Italian hyperbaric facilities and maps, which is essential to F-16 operations support. She thoroughly reviewed and updated the decompression sickness operating instruction with the lead agency, enhancing the wing's ability to effectively respond to flyers' decompression sickness emergencies. Her tenacious hard work, leadership and unmatched contributions warrant nothing less than this recognition!" - Maj. Kelly J.Gambino-Shirley, 31st Aerospace Medicine Squadron commander