Air Commodore Sam Sansome

Air Cdre Sam Sansome joined the RAF in 1986 as a University Cadet. After 3 years at Loughborough University studying Engineering Science and Technology he attended RAF College Cranwell for Initial Officer Training – graduating in March 1990.

Following Engineering Officer Training, his first tour was as JEngO XV Sqn on Tornado GR1 ac at RAF Laarbruch. After tours at RAF Lossiemouth (Buccaneer, Hunter and Tornado), RAF Strike Command (Tornado Role Office) and RAF Wyton (Harrier Fleet Manager) and an operational detachment to Riyadh, he was promoted to Sqn Ldr in Nov 1998 and appointed as the structural Engineering Authority for all marks of Tornado aircraft.

In 2001 he took up the post of OC Aircraft Engineering Squadron at RAF Benson, working on Puma and Merlin helicopters, where he also acted as OC Engineering and Supply Wing for a 7 month period during Op TELIC. On completion of his command tour he moved to the Personnel Management Agency where he was the Desk Officer for Squadron Leader Engineers.

In Jul 2004 he was selected for Staff College, but opted instead to attend Henley Management College graduating with an Executive Full-time MBA. He was promoted to Wing Commander during the MBA course and posted to a future capability post in Headquarters 2 Group in September 2005 where he had logistics and engineering responsibility for all 2 Group future platforms, both ISTAR and AT/AAR and including the REAPER UAV, A400M and Shadow R1.

In June 2008 he was posted to RAF Brize Norton as OC Forward Support Wing. Following his command tour he became the Command Planner at PJHQ at Northwood, managing the transition of its planning functions to Joint Forces Command. After a further spell as a Manning Desk Officer, this time for wing commander engineers and suppliers, he was promoted in 2012 and took up appointment at DE&S Abbey Wood as Team Leader of Chief of Materiel Joint Enablers’ Customer Support Team. On 27 Jun 2016 he returned to Air Command and to 2 Gp, this time as Chief Air Engineer and Gp Capt Support. On 1 March 2021 he transferred to the RAF Reserves on promotion to Air Cdre and took up post as Inspector of Safety RAF – the first non-aircrew officer to lead the RAF Safety Centre.

Air Cdre Sansome is married to Louise and has 2 children, Millie and Thomas. His family home is in Marlow, Buckinghamshire. He is a qualified swimming official and until recently was Chairman of Wycombe District Swimming Club, one of the top swimming teams in the country.

Air Vice-Marshal Peter Squires

Brigadier General Armin Havenith

Brigadier General Havenith joined the German Navy in July 1987.
He is a command pilot with more than 2,300 flying hours in various types of aircraft, 2000+ in TORNADO.

ASSIGNMENTS

1987 – 1988 Student German Naval Academy, Muerwik / Cadet Training Ship “Deutschland” as Officer-Training Candidate Flying Branch
1988 – 1989 Watch Officer on the Minehunter “Minden”
08/1989 – 05/1990 Flying Aptitude Assessment and Initial Instruction German Air Force Officer School, Fuerstenfeldbruck, Germany
06/1990 – 07/1991 UPT ENJJPT, Sheppard AFB, Texas, USA
08/1991 – 05/1992 Europeanization on Alpha-Jet at Fighter Bomber Wing 49, Fuerstenfeldbruck, Germany
06/1992 – 09/1992 Weapon Systems Training TORNADO, Cottesmore, UK
10/1992 – 03/1993 Tactical Training at Fighter Bomber Wing 38 “F” in Jever, Germany
04/1993 Transfer from German Navy to German Air Force
04/1993 – 09/1998 Fighter Pilot at Fighter Bomber Wing 31 “Boelcke” in Noervenich, Germany, with time spent as Aide-de-Camp and Senior Operations Officer
10/1998 – 09/1999 Senior Operations Staff Officer, 2nd Squadron at Fighter Bomber Wing 31 “B”
10/1999 – 09/2001 General/Flag Officers Course, Bundeswehr Command and Staff College, Hamburg, Germany
10/2001 – 11/2003 Squadron Commander, 2nd Squadron at Fighter Bomber Wing 33, Buechel, Germany
12/2003 – 09/2004 Section Chief, 2nd (DEU) Air Division, Birkenfeld, Germany
10/2004 – 09/2005 Division Chief, 2nd (DEU) Air Division, Birkenfeld, Germany
10/2005 – 02/2008 Assistant Branch Chief, International Plans and Policy Branch, Air Force Staff, Ministry of Defense, Bonn, Germany
03/2008 – 02/2011 Senior Operations Officer J5 Policy & Concepts Implementation and Deputy Branch Head, NATO Allied Joint Force Command HQ, Brunssum, The Netherlands
- 02/2009 Attended NATO Senior Officers Policy Course, NATO School, Oberammergau, Germany
- 09 - 12/2009 Deployed to CJ5 Plans & Policy HQ ISAF, Afghanistan
03/2011 – 09/2011 Section Chief, Doctrine and Concepts, German Air Force Command, Cologne, Germany
- 05/2011 Command Training Course, German Air Force Officer School, Fuerstenfeldbruck, Germany
10/2011 – 06/2012 Retraining TORNADO and TORNADO Instructor Course, German Air Force Flying Training Center, Holloman AFB, NM, USA
07/2012 – 09/2015 Commander, German Air Force Flying Training Center, Holloman AFB, NM, USA
10/2015 – 02/2016 German Air Force Forces Command, Flying Operations Directorate, Branch Chief Plans and Policy, Cologne, Germany
03/2016 – 12/2017 Assistant Chief of Staff Air Force Operations, German Air Force Headquarters Division 2 II, Berlin, Germany
01/2018 – 02/2020 Chief J 3/7/9 Division, Special Operational Tasks, Bundeswehr Joint Forces Operations Command, Potsdam, Germany
03/2020 – 08/2022 Branch Chief, Forces Policy I 5, Federal Ministry of Defence, Bonn, Germany
09/2022 – 08/2023 Member Royal College of Defense Studies (RCDS),
Global Strategic Program 2023, London, United Kingdom
09/2023 – 06/2024 Director of Education and Deputy Commander Bundeswehr Command and Staff College, Hamburg, Germany
07/2024 – today Director Flight Safety Branch, German Military Aviation Authority, Cologne, Germany.

Brigadier General Enrique Fernandez Ambel

Brigadier General Enrique Fernández Ambel (Seville 14JUL1968) joined the Air Force in July 1985 as a conscript soldier and from this moment, he continues his military career. After passing through the Air Force Academy between 1988 and 1993, in his last year he took the Undregraduated Pillot Training (UPT) course in the United States, graduating as a Lieutenant with the specialty of Fighter pilot.

He made his operational career between the Air Bases of Zaragoza, Talavera La Real and Morón where he flew EF-18, F-5 and C-16, Eurofighter material. During this period he acquired the specialty of Electronic Warfare, fighter aircraft IP and flight tester. As a pilot he acquired a great experience in international missions and exercises, among which stand out his participation in the different operations during the Balkan conflict, between 1994 and 2001, Chief of the Air Detachment of the NATO Baltic Air Policy in Amari, Estonia and several international exercises such as Red Flag, NOMAD, TLP and CAPEVAL. He also performed a 6 months mission, between 2011 and 2012, at Quala i Naw Base, Afghanistan, as Chief of the Air Tactical Detachment and TACP teams.

After completing the General Staff course, he worked in the Air Combat Command, personnel directorate and later in the area of Bilateral Relations of DIGENPOL.

His international experience includes a posting in the NATO Air Component Command in Izmir, Turkey, as a Commander and as a Colonel in the Cabinet of the Chairman of the EU Military Committee (CEUMC).
From August 2021 to July 2023, he assumes the command of Morón Air Base and 11th Wing. In June 2024, he was promoted to Brigadier General and assigned to the Operations Division of the Air Staff where he is currently.

Brigadier General Ambel has about 3,000 flight hours in fighter aircraft and has been awarded several international decorations, such as the NATO and BAP medals. He has 4 Aeronautical Merit Crosses, 1 Military Merit Cross and 1 Civil Guard Cross, among other national decorations.

He has recognized levels 4,4,4,4 of English, 3,3,3,3 of French as well as Operational 6 of English.

He is married to Maria and has three sons

Brigadier General Jonathan Bryom

Brigadier General Jonathan Byrom, a native of Galion, Ohio, received his commission as an Armor Officer following graduation from the United States Military Academy in 1995. After completing the Armor Officer Basic Course, he began his military career as a Division Cavalry Tank and Scout Platoon Leader and Cavalry Troop Executive Officer with 1-1 Cavalry in Büdingen, Germany.

Brigadier General Byrom then commanded A Troop and Headquarters and Headquarters Troop in 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment at Fort Irwin, California. Following his time in command, he taught economics at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York.

Upon completion of intermediate-level education in 2008, Brigadier General Byrom was assigned to Grafenwoehr, Germany, where he served as the Battalion S3 and Brigade Executive Officer for the 172nd Infantry Brigade until 2010. After his time in Germany, he became a Senior Instructor for the Army Joint Support Team in Las Vegas, Nevada,
before being assigned to Fort Hood, Texas, where he assumed command of 3rd Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment in November 2011.Upon completion of Squadron Command, Brigadier General Byrom then moved to Fort Knox, Kentucky, in July 2013, where he served as the Armor Branch Chief at Human Resources Command.

In July 2015, Brigadier General Byrom arrived at Fort Riley, Kansas, where he became the 1st Infantry Division G3 until 2017. He then returned to Fort Hood, Texas, where he commanded the 3rd Cavalry Regiment from July 2017 until June 2019. He transitioned to the First Cavalry Division Chief of Staff in June 2019 until March 2020. Brigadier General Byrom transitioned to the Pentagon, where he served as the Executive Officer to the Chief of Staff of the Army until July 2021. He served as the Commander for the 2nd Multi-Domain Task Force in Wiesbaden, Germany, before assuming command of the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center in June 2023.

Jon is married to his much better half, Marsha. They have three young children who keep life very interesting.

Brigadier General Roberto Di Marco

Air Brig. Gen. Roberto Di Marco was born in Messina on 20 August 1965 and attended the Aeronautical Academy from 1983 to 1987.

After graduating in aeronautical science and the planned piloting courses on various aircraft, in 1989 he is assigned to the 10th Fighter Squadron that operates on aircraft F 104S at the 9th Wing at Grazzanise Air Base, where he holds various positions up to Squadron Commander and Chief of Wing Ops.

Since 2001 he has been assigned to the HQ at the 3rd Department (Aerospace Instrument Planning), with assignments related to air defense directives and tactical unit training. Following the terrorist attack on 9/11 2001, it is part of the project for the drafting of the RENEGADE Ministerial Directive, which regulates the actions of the political and military summit to combat hybrid air threats. It also deals with the installation of the first Forward Operational Base [FOB] in the theater of Iraqi and Afghan operations, and starts the process for the ItAF participation in the helicopter school of Shindand [Afghanistan], based on Russian helicopter MIL Mi-8.

In 2002, he was sent to Kosovo as Chief of Operations at Pristina International Airport and coordinator of local activities between UNMIK [UN] and the Russian contingent responsible for site security.

In 2007 he was sent to the United States for the F-16 pilot course, at the end of which he was appointed Commander of the 5th Wing at Cervia Air Base.

In 2009, at the end of the command period, he returned to the 3rd Department of the HQ with the task of Chief of the 2nd Office (Operational Capabilities). In 2011, he coordinated with the 603 AOC of USAFE, Ramstein [GER], the directives for the participation of ItAF in the Odyssey Dawn coalition operation, then renamed Unified Protector under the aegis of NATO.

In 2012 he became Chief of Operations Department A3 at the HQ of the Air Team Command and then, when promoted to Air Brigade General became Chief of Operations and Training Department, where he coordinated with the Command of the Naval Team the national joint effort operation to combat illicit trafficking called MARE NOSTRUM, which will be the basis for the subsequent operational defence contributions to Operation SOPHIA of EUNAVFOR MED, under the aegis of EU.

After attending few courses: the CFACC of Maxwell [Alabama, US] and the Senior International Defense Management at the DRMI of Monterey [California, US], in June 2015 he is assigned to the D.A.C.C.C (NATO Center of Risk Air Command and Control) at the Air Base of Poggio Renatico (FE) with the assignment of Deputy Commander.

In February 2019 he became Commander of the Experimental Flight Center at the Air Base of Pratica di Mare (ROME).

Since September 2020 he has been Flight Safety Inspector and President of the Higher Flight Safety Institute.

He has collected about 2700 flight hours, mainly on Fighters (MB.339A and CD version, G.91/T, F.104, F.16 Block 20 and 40).
He is a qualified flight safety officer and instructor, and has collected several collaborations with the Institute of Aeronautical Military Sciences in Florence for the treatment of CRM courses (Crew Resource Management and optimisation of flight crew management in the cockpit) and courses within flight security programs. Always in support of the Italian Air Force Schools Command, he was a member of the college and co-supervisor of some dissertations related to the topic of Flight Safety.

Colonel Jesse Doyle

Colonel Jesse S. Doyle is the Director of Safety, Headquarters Air Combat Command, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia.

Colonel Doyle received his commission through the Reserve Officer Training Corps at the University of Florida, with a degree in Business Administration. He attended Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training at Columbus AFB, MS. He is a graduate of Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College, and Air War College.

Colonel Doyle has served as an instructor pilot in both Air Education and Training Command and United States Air Forces in Europe, commanded at the squadron level, and served on the staff of Air Combat Command. He is a command pilot with over 3,850 flying hours in the T-37 and F-16, including 812 combat hours in Operations ODYSSEY DAWN, ENDURING FREEDOM, and FREEDOM’S SENTINEL.

Colonel Jorge Inacio

Colonel Jorge Inacio joined Portuguese Air Force Academy in 1992 and, after finishing the course, served in the Tactical Air Transport and Search and Rescue Squadrons, flying around 3000 flight hours in the SA-316B Alouette III, SA-330 Puma and EH-101 Merlin.

Served in the Air Command/Plans Branch, Portuguese Military University Institute as Joint Operations Planning teacher and, in the EUMS/Concepts and Capabilities Directorate (CONCAP)/Force and Capability Branch (FORCAP) as action officer and deputy Branch Chief.

Has the Degree (Pre Bologna) in Military Aeronautical Sciences, specialty of Pilot, Course for Promotion to Senior Officer, Joint Staff Course and Postgraduate in Military Sciences, Security and Defence.

Colonel Michael Thomas

Col Mike Thomas is the Deputy Chief of Safety for the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force. Col Thomas graduated from the University of Michigan in 1997 and was a commissioned a second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. He is a master navigator with more than 2,800 flying hours and 260 deployed combat and combat support hours. Col Thomas has deployed in support of Operations Joint Guardian, Northern Watch, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and Inherent Resolve. He commanded at the squadron, group, and Joint Task Force levels, and he served in staff assignments at Air Force Special Operations Command and Headquarters Air Force. Prior to his current position, he served as the Director of Safety for Air Force Special Operations Command.

Command Sergeant Major Jean Alcedo

CSM Jean Pierre Alcedo completed One Station Unit Training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where he was awarded the Military Occupational Specialty of 13B, Cannon Crewmember.

CSM Alcedo has served in various positions from Advance Party, Section Chief, Gunnery Sergeant, Platoon Sergeant, First Sergeant, OPS Sergeant Major, Battalion CSM, Division Artillery CSM, Fires Center of Excellence Noncommissioned Officer Academy Commandant and currently the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center CSM. CSM Alcedo’s assignments include the 82nd Airborne Division, All American (All the Way, Airborne); 1st Armored Division (Old Ironsides); Fires Center of Excellence (Fires Strong); 7th Army Training Command; 173rd Airborne Infantry Brigade (Sky Soldiers); 18th Field Artillery Brigade (Tough, Proud, Discipline); 210th Field Artillery Brigade; 434th Field Artillery Brigade; and 75th Field Artillery Brigade.
 
He has deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in support of Joint Task Force 160 and Iraq and Afghanistan in support of the Global War on Terrorism.

CSM Alcedo’s military education includes the Primary Leadership Development Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Course, Drill Sergeant School, Airborne School, Jumpmaster Course, First Sergeant Course and Class 66 of the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy. He is also the recipient of the Honorable Ancient Order of Saint Barbara.

CSM Alcedo’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit (2 Oak Leaf Clusters), the Bronze Star Medal (2 OLC), the Meritorious Service Medal (4 OLC), the Army Commendation Medal (1 OLC), the Army Achievement Medal (9 OLC), the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Campaign Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal (8th award), Drill Sergeant Badge, Airborne Badge (Master Parachutist) and the Combat Action Badge.

CSM Alcedo is married to MSG Nina Alcedo, who is serving in Italy.

CW05 Shawn Johnston

From North Vernon, Indiana. He graduated from Jennings Co High school where he wasPresident of the FFA and Captain of the Varsity Wrestling team. He joined the Army in 1993 serving in the 501st MP Co. at Bad Kreutznach, GE as a light wheel vehicle and a power generation mechanic. Shawn holds a Bachelor of Science from Austin Peay State University (APSU).

Johnston qualified in the CH-47D/F and graduated from the Aviation Safety Officer course/Maintenance Officer courses. He is a Capability and Training Developer, completing the Army Basic and Small group instructor courses.

After serving in Operation Joint Endeavour in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Johnston transitioned to the Indiana National Guard serving in the 681st MEDEVAC as a UH-1 maintainer. In 2002, Johnston was selected for IERW and upon completion was assigned 7-101st where he served as a pilot in command, flight lead and the 159th Combat Aviation Brigade, Aviation Life Support Equipment Officer (ALSE), deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2010, he was assigned to 110th Aviation Brigade serving as the CH-47 D/F academics chief and the brigade academics standardization instructor. In 2013 Johnston was reassigned to 3-2 General Support Aviation Battalion (GSAB) as a mission pilot, unit trainer and aviation safety officer. In 2014, he was reassigned to 6-101st GSAB as the Battalion Aviation Safety Officer (BNASO) transitioning to the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade Aviation Safety Officer (CAB ASO) in 2015 deploying to Afghanistan. In 2017, he was reassigned to Capability Development Integration Directorate (CDID) and Aviation Enablers-Requirements Determination Directorate serving as the Air Crew Integrated Systems (ACIS) Division Chief. In 2021, Johnston was reassigned to the United
States Army Combat Readiness Center (USACRC) where he serves as a flight safety technician and the Senior Warrant Officer for the Safety Center. Shawn is also a sitting member of the Aviation System Readiness Division, Cueing and Symbology Endorsement board and consults numerous other aviation human systems integration boards/studies and research.

Johnston’s awards include: Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Joint Service Commendation medal Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Superior Unit Award, National Defense Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War of Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals, Korean Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, NATO Medal, Combat Action Badge, and Army Master Aviator Badge/

Emma Austen

Emma is the Director of Defence Safety (DDS) at the Ministry of Defence (MOD). She has worked in the Civil Service for over 19 years, spending time in three departments - MOD, the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy, and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Emma has led a career rooted in safety, joining the Civil Service as a Station Health and Safety advisor at RAF Uxbridge, and subsequently deploying to a number of conflict zones. During her time at DWP, Emma championed a departmental-wide programme of safety culture maturity before returning to MOD as Director DS.

In her role as Director DS, Emma has set out to establish a world leading safety culture across Defence, with the aim of eliminating fatalities whilst enhancing capability. As Director DS, Emma is the Safety Function leader responsible for developing and maintaining effective safety policies and guidance, to ensure the safe operation and delivery of Defence activity, on behalf of the Secretary of State for Defence.

Emma, as Director DS, leads the Safety & Environment Profession within Defence, which supports and guides the 1500 Defence personnel to deliver the Defence vision.

Emma is also active in championing the safety profession across the wider Civil Service and provides support to the Civil Service Head of Profession.

Emma is married to Ashley, a full time RAF reservist. An avid rugby player, at the weekends, Emma can normally be found on the pitch or spending time with their two children, George, and Courtney.

Group Captain Andrew Keith

Andrew ‘Boomer’ Keith was commissioned into the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1994. Graduating as a Fast Jet (FJ) pilot he was posted to the fighter lead-in squadron and flew the Aermacchi MB339 and then on to the A4K Skyhawk conversion unit based in Nowra, Australia. During his time with the Air Combat Force he participated in a bilateral training programme providing maritime strike assets for the Australian Navy and annual exercises in SE Asia participating in FPDA exercises and bi-lateral training with Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.

Following the demise of the RNZAF air combat force, Keith transferred to the RAF in Dec 01 and posted to the Harrier OCU at RAF Wittering. During his front-line tour with IV(AC) Sqn at RAF Cottesmore, he was involved with a variety of UK, Europe and US based exercises and completed two embarked detachments aboard HMS Invincible. He has also completed 3 flying tours on Op HERRICK, Afghanistan.

In Sep 06 Keith was selected to join the RAF Aerobatic Team and flew for RAFAT for the 07-09 display seasons. In 2010 Keith was posted to the JFACHQ in High Wycombe and during this time he was posted to Al Udeid to take up the position of SO2 Forward Staff Officer for the ACC at 83 EAG. Keith was then posted to the Joint Tactical Exercise Planning staff at Northwood HQ to take up the position of SO2 Fast Jet. During this tour he was involved in coordination and execution of large joint multinational tier 2+ exercises. From 2013-2016 Keith worked at RAF Waddington, involved with ISTAR and RPAS operations and as the SO2 Training and Standards in the ISTAR Force HQ.

Keith was promoted to Wg Cdr in 2016 and selected to attend Advanced Command and Staff College (ACSC) at the JSCSC Shrivenham. On completion of ACSC he took up command of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team (RAFAT). During this posting the Team conducted a Middle Eastern Defence Engagement tour, was involved in the RAF100 celebrations in 2018 and toured North America in 2019 supporting British trade and investment with North America worth over £100Bn.

In Mid 2020 Keith was posted to the Ministry of Defence (MoD), London and served in Finance Military Capability (FMC) to manage the F-35 elements of the Carrier Enabled Power Projection (CEPP) programme and as the Future Commitments CEPP desk officer within the Defence Commitments team in Security Policy and Operations. Keith was selected for promotion to Group Captain in Dec 21 and has been assigned to the Battle Director role in the CAOC, Al Udeid in Jul 2022. He took up his current position as the Inspector of Flight Safety within the RAF Safety Centre in Jan 23.

Group Captain Mike Jordan

Mike is a flying instructor and test pilot, who has served in a variety of appointments across operational, training, acquisitions/capability and regulatory specialisations.

On promotion to Group Captain, he was the extremely proud 57th Commandant of the CFS, responsible for the training, development and assurance of all UK and international aircrew instructors operating within the CFS categorisation scheme and for the development of the art of flying instruction both in contemporary and future environments. Additionally, as the Senior Operator (ODH), Mike was responsible for advising the Air Officer Commanding on aviation safety and risk to life management within 22 Group. In his latest role, as Commandant of No 1 Flying Training School and the Defence College of Air and Space Operations, he is tasked with safely training outstanding warfighters and leaders in Rotary Wing and Air Operations, ensuring the readiness of HM Armed Forces and the UK’s global allies. He also holds Delivery Duty Holder responsibility for both Juno and Jupiter helicopters.

Lieutenant Colonel Andrea Radicchi

Experience:

• October 2024 - February 2025: Operation Manager, Mario Zucchelli Station, Antarctica, Italian Air Force.
• 2024 - Present: Flight Safety,I nspectorate.
• 2022-2024: ITAF Air Command.
• 2018 - 2022: Exchange Instructor Pilot, French Air Force.
• 2014 - 2018: Multi-Engine Flight Instructor/Examiner, ITAF Transport Pilot School.
• 2008 - 2014: C-130J Instructor Pilot, 46th Air Brigade. Multiple deployments in Afghanistan.
• 2002 - 2008: VIP Aircraft Commander, 14th Wing.
• 2002: Graduated, Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program (ENJJPT).
• 1996: Joined the Italian Air Force.

Qualifications:

• Type Rated: SF260, T-37, T-38, P-180, P166 DL3, MB 339 A/CD, C-130J, Embraer 121.
• Total Flight Hours: 5,200.

Lieutenant Colonel Drew Burkitt

Lieutenant Colonel Burkitt is an Army Aviation officer with broad experience in operating, managing and commanding combat aviation capabilities. Lieutenant Colonel Burkitt serves as the Staff Officer Grade 1 Aviation Safety within the Headquarters Army Aviation Command’s Directorate of Operational Airworthiness, where he is focused on the safe delivery of capability to meet Australia’s needs.

Lieutenant Colonel Burkitt has served as a Kiowa reconnaissance pilot and an air assault pilot operating D and F model Chinook, seeing operational service in East Timor, Iraq, Afghanistan as well as Australian domestic operations.

Lieutenant Colonel Gian Luca Greco

Since August 2021 I work at the Italian Air Force Flight Safety Department/Inspectorate and I am responsible for the technical and human factor recommendations for the aviation safety investigations within military and civilian Aircraft Design Organizations and Aircraft Operators. As qualified Flight Safety Officer, Air Accident Investigator and Crew Resource Management Instructor, I have conducted accident and incident investigations on military platforms with a civilian certification basis such as the Leonardo HH-139 helicopter, ATR-72 and -42, the Boeing KC-767A, the Piaggio P-180 and G-550 aircraft and SIAI-260 and -208 trainer aircraft. The activities have been conducted in accordance with the ICAO Annex 13 Standards and Recommended Practices and included the gathering and analysis of information, the drawing of conclusions, the determination of causes and the development of safety recommendations.

In the last thirteen years, on behalf of the Italian Air Force Flight Safety Department, the National Military Procurement and Aviation Authority and the National Prosecutor office, I acted as a technical advisor of the safety investigation Boards for the AleniaAermacchi/Leonardo M346 jet trainer aircraft mishaps. I was fully involved in the investigation phases, liaising with investigation authorities and the aircraft manufacturer and its design organization, recovering the aircraft wreckage, collecting facts related to the investigated occurrences, collecting, reducing, processing and analysing the recovery data, working with a team of industry specialists in multicultural environments to reach justified conclusions and writing the technical reports on the mishap causes and the applicable safety recommendations.
As an expert in safety risk management and human factors engineering, I have supported the Italian Air Force operational squadrons and maintenance organizations to understand the key components and elements of an effective and efficient System Management System (SMS) and to implement an Integrated Management System (IMS), tailored to their type of operations, organisational complexity and needs.
I have developed, promoted and implemented a new delivery method to increase the safety promotion activities at the Italian Air Force flight and ground operators’ level through summits and seminars on safety culture, accident/mishaps lessons identified and learned analysing the commonalities between the military world and the National State Safety Program (SSP).

Through my experience of Flight Line Manager and Maintenance Engineer at the Italian Air Force maritime patrol aircraft Squadron, I built the ability to manage people, leading teams, and to monitor, map and merge flight activity data, for the purpose of scheduling and supervising the aircraft maintenance; those duties included immediate reactions to safety issues by assessing the relevant collected safety data in order to support the airworthiness authority towards the identification of the appropriate corrective actions.
At the Italian Air Force Flight Test Centre, as Flight Test Engineer graduated at the USAF Test Pilot School – Edwards AFB, I have had also the opportunity collect a broad international experience in multi-national programs as national representative in international boards creating communication links between the government and industrial team of experts and increasing the involvement of the Test Center in the analysis of the flight data collected during the aircraft development and certification phases and the related hazard identification and risk mitigation processes.

My passion for the aviation safety investigations and human factors in complex, technology-intensive systems boosted my target-orientation, resistance, multi-tasking capabilities and resilience, even under pressure. These personal traits make me a recognised, reliable professional, capable to efficiently learn new competences fast, think both analytically and critically, with the ability to decompose and solve complex matters and issues in a very limited timeframe.

Lieutenant Colonel Luke Hodda

Lieutenant Colonel Luke Hodda is an Army Aviation Operations Officer with over 20 years experience in operational planning. He is an aviation warfighting command and control specialist with deep experience in generating, integrating and employing battlefield aviation capabilities in Service-level, Joint and Coalition environments. He has fulfilled a combination of training, staff and command appointments throughout his career, and has deployed to Afghanistan, Sudan, Israel and multiple other theatres in both warfighting and UN peacekeeping contexts. He is currently the G3 for Australian Army Aviation Command and leads the Secretariat for the International Combat Aviation Safety Summit.

Lieutenant Colonel Per Hård af Segerstad

1994-96 Navy: Basic Military Training.

1996-2015 Air Force: Pilot, force element leader, sqn deputy in for operations with Fighter Viggen and Multi-Role Gripen.

2015-2017 Mil HQ in Chief of the Air Foce staff: main duties in Flight Safety and the Nordic Defence Coorporation.

2018-2020 National Defence University: Studies with the Higher Military Educational and MaSc in War Studies.

2020-2023 National Defence University: Director Air Departement.

2023- Air Staff: Head of Flight Safety for the Armed Forces / Head of department.

Lieutenant Colonel Roberto Mesiti

Lieutenant Colonel Roberto MesitiI was commissioned in 1999 and attended the Italian Air Force Academy, and in 2005 he graduated as a military pilot at Vance AFB (Oklahoma - USA), flying T-37 and T38C jet trainers. Following his first assignment at the 88th Sqn in Sigonella AFB (Italy), he achieved the Pilot Combat Readiness in Maritime Patroller and Anti-Submarine Warfare role on the P-1150A “Atlantic”. He has served in a variety of position at the squadron and wing level, taking part to the Libyan campaign of Unified Protector operation. Then he was assigned to the Squadron 2 of NAEW-CF in Geilenkirchen (Germany) in the role of C2 asset on the E-3A AWACS, then he came back to the 88th Sqn in Sigonella AFB (Italy) in the ISR role on P-72A and presently at the NISRF in Sigonella AFB (Italy) in the ISR role on the RQ-4D.
From 2019 to 2021 he was appointed as 88th Squadron Commander and from 2021 to 2023 he was appointed as 86th Aircrew Training Center Commander.
During his career, he has flown on the following aircraft: SF-260, T-37, T-38C, P-1150A, E-3A, P-72A and RQ-4D, collecting a total of 4800 hrs.
LtCol. Mesiti is married since 2004 with Sara. They have two children: Lorenzo and Luca.

Major Peter Trim

Mr Marco Hartman