Norman Llamas

Norman covers the U.S. military in Northern Italy and sometimes elsewhere for Stars and Stripes. He was born in Guatemala and raised in Rhode Island. He has more than 10 years of experience as an Army photojournalist and has served as a photojournalism instructor at the Defense Information School.

@normanllamas

llamas.norman@stripes.com

Julia Ridgley of the Vicenza Cougars goes up for a kill as Aviano's Zurnia Dickerson tries to blockduring the DODEA-Europe Division II tournament in Vicenza, Italy on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. Vicenza won 25-19, 25-23, 20-25, 26-24.

Vicenza bounces back to defend volleyball title

Cougars topple tourney favorite Naples and Aviano on final day to defend title they won in 2019.

A Siberian tiger takes refuge from the heat at the Parco Zoo Punta Verde in Lignano Sabbiadoro, Italy, on Aug. 17, 2021.

Zoo’s blend of plant and animal life makes for a beastly good family outing

Aviano's Autumn Thomas sprints to the finish line of the DODEA-South cross country championships Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, at Lago di Fimon, Italy. Thomas won the race in 20 minutes, 32 seconds.

Runners in Italy get their places in the sun, too

Naples Wildcats' Marcus Wilson blocks a punt by Aviano Saints Julian Riley during Saturday's football game held at Aviano. After the block, Wilson recovered the ball inside the end zone for a Wildcats touchdown. The Wildcats won the game decisively by the score of 40-0.

Wildcats continue to win - no matter the format

The uramaki mango roll has salmon and avocado inside. On the outside, it has salmon, cream of mango, flying fish roe, minced pistachio and a basil sauce.

Quality pan-Asian food abounds at an all-you-can-eat restaurant near Aviano Air Base

Quality meets quantity at Kashima Sushi in Sacile.

Marley Mcelree of the Sigonella Jaguars, girls volleyball team tries to get the ball over Vicenza Cougars Gabriela Sanchez during Saturday, September 18's game, held at Vicenza High School. The Cougars won in straight games, 25-12, 25-12, and 25-10. Norman Llamas/Stars and Stripes

Vicenza stays perfect on volleyball court

Cougars sweep Sigonella on Saturday after five-game contest on Friday.

Frank Lewandowski, a beloved teacher at Aviano Middle High School, passed away August 28, 2021, at Aviano, Italy.

Beloved Aviano Middle High School teacher, coach dies at 63

Frank Lewandowski died unexpectedly in late August at his home in Aviano at age 63. His wife, Kathleen, said he died of natural causes.

Various types of meats are grilled slowly using an Argentinian method of cooking known as Gaucho style, at Osteria El Gaucho, in Mansue, Italy, which is about a 30-minute drive from Aviano Air Base.

Patience, passion and dedication to the craft of grilling at Osteria El Gaucho

The restaurant in Mansue was named after Jose Polesello's father, who was known as a master at slow-grilling meats

Sgt. Devin L. Cook, of Company D, 1st Battalion, 503rd Regiment, Vicenza, Italy, drives an Army Ground Mobility Vehicle during training at La Comina Italian army base in Pordenone, a few miles south of Aviano Air Base, April 15, 2021. The vehicle is designed to move infantry squads quickly around the battlefield.

Lightweight vehicle is put to the test by 173rd Airborne Brigade ahead of multinational exercises

The 173rd Airborne Brigade trained its drivers over the past week on one of the Army’s latest infantry vehicles, ahead of participation in the large-scale Defender-Europe 21 and African Lion exercises later this year.

Shoppers do business at an open-air market in the town of Sacile, Italy, about 9 miles from Aviano Air Base. The region that includes Aviano and several others are soon expected to be declared red zones by the national government, which would mandate tougher coronavirus restrictions.

Norman Llamas/Stars and Stripes

Italy tightens coronavirus restrictions as cases surge nationwide

Aviano Elementary will go remote, service members face array of new restrictions at locations around the country.

Middle and high school students at Aviano Air Base, Italy, return to remote learning starting Monday, March 8, 2021, as coronavirus case numbers rise in the northeastern part of the country. In Naples, which is at Italy's highest health alert level, schools remain open, with education officials closely monitoring the situation.

Aviano school goes to remote learning, Naples continues with in-person classes as coronavirus spreads

Students at Aviano’s upper school transitioned to remote learning Monday amid an uptick in coronavirus cases in the northeastern region.

A photo from a slide show played during the remembrance ceremony held for fallen Tech. Sgt. Michael W. Morris, Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. Morris died Jan. 12 alone at his home Cordenons, about a week after testing positive for the coronavirus.

Aviano pays tribute to airman who died while in coronavirus quarantine

An airman who died last month while in coronavirus quarantine was remembered Friday at Aviano Air Base in Italy for his fatherly sense of humor, his loyalty, his off-duty “shenanigans” and on-duty mentorship to others.

Tech. Sgt. Michael W. Morris with wife Amanda, and children Brayden, Matehya and Makenna in England. Morris died Jan. 12, 2021, while home alone near Aviano Air Base, Italy, about a week after testing positive for the coronavirus. After more than a month, the Air Force has not released a cause of death.

Family awaits answers more than a month after Aviano airman's death

The Air Force and the family of Tech. Sgt. Michael W. Morris still don’t know what caused his death last month while quarantining at home alone, hours after calling to wish his youngest daughter a happy 5th birthday.

Maj. John Lax, a primary care and sports medicine physician with the 31st Medical Group at Aviano Air Base, Italy, watches as Air Force Staff Sgt. Katelyn Ramseygets ready to use the antigravity treadmill at the Comprehensive Operational Medicine for Battle Ready Airmen, or COBRA, clinic, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. Ramsey is being treated at the clinic, which is unique to Aviano, for a chronic knee injury.

Aviano clinic does its bit to boost Air Force readiness by reducing time off for injury

Called the Comprehensive Operational Medicine for Battle Ready Airmen, or COBRA, the clinic opened on Jan. 14 and is modeled on facilities for athletes, with trainers, physical therapists and sports medicine doctors providing timely and innovative care under one roof.

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