Brian Erickson

Brian is a reporter and photographer for Stars and Stripes based at Aviano Air Base, Italy, where he writes about military operations and current events. He has experience writing for military communities in Hawaii, Texas and Korea. He holds a communications degree from University of Maryland Global Campus

@BrianErickson_

erickson.brian@stripes.com

Lasers pointed at aircraft can create a major safety hazard for pilots, 31st Fighter Wing officials at Aviano Air Base in Italy said recently, in response to a rise in such incidents.

Rise in laser incidents endangers Aviano pilots, Air Force says

The 31st Fighter Wing has seen a surge of incidents this year involving laser pointers directed at aircraft while flying, actions that can disorient and endanger crew members.

A car passes through a roundabout in the Italian town of Sant’ Antonio where an Italian teenager was killed early Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022. Julia Bravo, an American airman assigned to Aviano Air Base, appeared before an Italian judge for a preliminary hearing Nov. 13, 2023.

Aviano airman accused of killing teen in car accident asks for speedy trial, reports say

A bowl of miso ramen and a takoyaki appetizer at Mic Ramen in Pordenone, Italy, about 20 minutes from Aviano Air Base.

A new take on noodles in Italy

Capt. Evan Bicoy, battery commander, and 1st Sgt. Allanmarco Cruz, senior enlisted advisor, finish uncasing the unit guidon for Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 57th Air Defense Artillery Regiment during the units reactivation ceremony on Oct. 17, 2023 at Caserma Del Din, Vicenza, Italy. Charlie Battery became the newest Short-Range Air Defense Battery to be activated in Europe during the ceremony.

US Army activates another SHORAD battery in Europe as base in Italy joins mix

Vicenza's Ally Taylor softly hits the ball over a pair of Wildcat defenders during the first set as the Vicenza Cougars play the Naples Wildcats at Vicenza High School on Oct. 13, 2023. The Wildcats would go on to win the first set 25-20.

Naples has momentum heading towards championships

Wildcats have defeated fellow contenders Aviano, Vicenza and Black Forest Academy in last two weeks as season-ending tournament looms.

A prototype collapsible ladder for the F-16 Viper is stored in the cockpit map case. The idea for the ladder came from Maj. Nicholas Atkins, an F-16 pilot at Aviano Air Base in Italy.

Aviano pilot seeks Air Force backing for collapsible F-16 ladder

Maj. Nicholas Atkins conceptualized a collapsible ladder that fits in the jet’s map case, and then he turned to the 9th Training Support Squadron at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona to design it.

A photograph of Army Sgt. Devin Guary is displayed at a memorial service at Caserma Del Din in Vicenza, Italy Sept. 25, 2023. A paratrooper in the 173rd Airborne Brigade, Guary died in a car crash in Cittadella, Italy, on Aug. 14, 2023.

173rd Airborne Brigade soldiers remember soldier killed in Italy car crash

Colleagues of a U.S. Army paratrooper who was killed last month in a nighttime crash on an Italian road held a memorial Monday at Caserma Del Din, paying tribute to his dedication to the job and kindness to others.

Aviano's JuJu Las Salles, who rushed for more than 100 yards, breaks a tackle to score the first of three touchdowns during the Saints' 44-0 victory over the Rota Admirals on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023.

Saints march into end zone repeatedly and keep Admirals out

Aviano improves to 2-1 on the season and Rota still looking for first victory over Saturday battle between D-II foes.

U.S. Army Spc. Dequan Simms is sworn in by 1st Lt. Randall Chergosky during his reenlistment ceremony at Grafenwoehr, Germany, Aug. 23, 2023. The Army temporarily ended its selective reenlistment bonus program this week.

Strong retention success prompts short shutdown of Army bonuses for reenlisting

The Army is briefly suspending its bonus program enticing soldiers in certain fields to reenlist, as strong retention results have exhausted the funding for the current fiscal year.

Parents, volunteers and command teams from across Caserma Ederle cheer as they welcome students to the new Vicenza High School at U.S. Army Garrison Italy’s Villagio housing community Aug, 23, 2023.

High school’s debut a sign of things to come at US Army post in Vicenza

The unveiling of Vicenza High School just under four years after construction began brings all Department of Defense Education Activity schools at this garrison in northeastern Italy onto a single installation.

Students at Yokota High School in Japan take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery in 2021. The Pentagon is planning a change on the military's entrance exam that will allow applicants to use calculators.

Hot-button issue: Pentagon intends to end calculator ban for people taking ASVAB

With recruiting numbers not adding up across the armed forces, the Pentagon is planning to allow applicants to use calculators on the military entrance exam.

The Ford Fiesta of a U.S. soldier came to rest in a roadside trench after a multi-vehicle accident on Aug. 14, 2023 near Cittadella, Italy. The cause of the accident is still under investigation.

Vicenza-based soldier dies in car crash

A U.S. soldier stationed in Vicenza was killed Monday in a traffic collision, an Army spokesman said, confirming some details of local news reports.

The ramen frutti di mare, or seafood ramen, at Han Dynasty Chinese Food Express in Polcenigo, Italy, July 7, 2023. The restaurant offers five different ramen dishes on their menu.

Dinner ends up a downer as Chinese food near Aviano defies online reviews

Han Dynasty Chinese Express Food and Lo Sprizzetto in Polcenigo, Italy, were not as flavorful as advertised.

A monument dedicated to the Tuskegee Airmen stationed at Ramitelli Airfield during WWII was inaugurated July 16, 2023 in Piazza Madonna Grande, in Campomarino, Italy. The monument was the result of two years of collaboration between Campomarino and the U.S. Air Force Aviano Tuskegee Airmen Committee.

Tuskegee Airmen honored with monument on piazza in Italian city

A monument dedicated to the Tuskegee Airmen of the 332nd Fighter Group was unveiled this week as the town paid tribute to them and to its own crucial contribution in World War II.

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