Giampaolo Agostinelli

Here I am, trying to find the words to say what is, for me, 'Where The Sea Meets The Sky'.
Unforgettable moments, human experience of real and irreplaceable valor - this is what this book represents to me.
In the arc of eighteen months I have had the great opportunity to fly several times with the US Naval Aviation, following CVW-3's activities - first from land bases during the work-up phase, and then aboard the all-new USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) aircraft carrier during her maiden cruise and in operation in the Persian Gulf.
From NAS Key West, Florida to NAS Fallon, Nevada, to NAS Oceana, Virginia, I have had the chance to take part in various training missions, and then, in the Gulf, I could acknowledge from real the high quality and professionality of the men and women of the US Naval Aviation.
I have seen how the heart and soul and the grit of the aviators and crews in doing their job originates the overall result that gives to me the impression of a well-armonized and well-directed orchestra.
From the F-14 Tomcat to the EA-6B Prowler and S-3B Viking, to the SH-60F helicopter and C-2A Greyhound, I could fly in some of the myths of modern military aviation, and picture them and their operations with my camera. I hope that my pictures will give the readers the emotions of the extraordinary world that I have been living in.
Now I would express all my gratitude to Capt Robert 'Brick' Nelson, who immediately understood and agreed the project of this book and introduced me to the 'magic' world of the US Naval Aviation, and to Capt Joseph 'Killer' Kilkenny, who encouraged me to overcome the hurdle of the 'swim test' and thus be admitted to fly in the fast jets from the carrier, and to Capt David 'Deke' Philman, who sustained me in the hardest part of my activity with Carrier Air Wing Three.
Many thanks to CDR Jeffrey 'WA' Gregoire, LCDR Tom 'Piglet' Robson, LCDR Silvester 'Dell' Del Rosario, LCDR Donald 'Biskit' Nisbett, Lt Joe 'Gonzo' Barnes, Lt 'Bones' Reynolds, and to all the CVW-3 Staff and to the Commanding Officers, Operations Officers, pilots, flying and ship crews of VF-32, VFA-37, VFA-105, VMFA-312, VAQ-130, VS-22, VAW-126, HS-7 and VRC Det 1, and to LCDR Joseph 'Cappy' Surette, PAO of USS Harry S. Truman.
Thanks for their kind collaboration to Mike Maus, Commander Naval Air Force, US Atlantic Fleet, CDR Robert Ross, 6th Fleet, Gaeta, Lt Terence Dudley, US Naval Forces Central Command, 5th Fleet, Bahrain, Ms. Anne McMillin and Capt David 'Roy' Rogers, NAS Fallon, Capt 'Scooter' Johnson and CDR Patrick Millet.
I wish to present my regards to ADM Gregory 'Grog' Johnson, RADM Mike 'Carlos' Johnson and RADM James 'Jmac' McArthur.
I wish also to thank very much my friends Paolo Bari of 'Nogarazza' Restaurant, Vicenza, Gabriele Polliero of 'Due Emme Foto', Padova, and Jim Lowless of 'Jim's' Restaurant, Manama, Bahrain.
And here I want to highlight the superb job done by Andrea Artoni, Stefano Fogagnolo, Richard Cooper and Tony Holmes.
Especially, my gratitude for all the human and professional experience goes to the Navy of the United States of America.

Giampaolo Agostinelli