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

The entrance sign to Nevelandia sledding area in Piancavallo, Italy. Weekday admission costs 7 euros per person, and the entrance price rises to 10 euros per person on weekends.

Italian mountain resort town Piancavallo is full of family-friendly snow fun

The Dolomite Mountains getaway of Piancavallo, Italy, is just right for a family in need of some winter recreation.

Airmen get an up-close look at the HH-60W Jolly Green II combat rescue helicopter during an official welcome ceremony at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Jan. 10, 2025.

Aviano welcomes new Jolly Green II combat rescue helicopters in official unveiling

A U.S. Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter operated by the 56th Rescue Squadron flies over Aviano Air Base, Italy, Feb. 12, 2020. Airmen from Aviano bid farewell to the Pave Hawk on Dec. 18, 2024, as it flew its final active-duty mission before the base's transition to the HH-60W Jolly Green II.

Aviano crew marks end of Pave Hawk helicopter era with farewell mission

Aviano Middle High School seventh grader William Wolfe, left, interviews Rocco Brunetti of Scuola Media Italo Svevo on Dec. 13, 2024, during a cultural exchange at the school on Aviano Air Base in Italy.

Kids at Aviano US base school reconnect with Italians after pandemic halt of partnership

Americans stationed at Aviano Air Base, Italy, will not have to use a Military Star card to make payments to the Forax fuel rations card after a new policy was rescinded.

AAFES hastily ends Aviano mandate that tied fuel discounts to Military Star card sign-up

A policy that would have required service members at Aviano Air Base to apply for a military-affiliated credit card to be eligible for fuel discounts was shelved just two days after taking effect, Air Force officials said.

The pistachio and mortadella pizza at Peperino Pizza and Grill in Pordenone, Italy, Nov. 18, 2024. It features a Sicilian pistachio sauce, mortadella, smoked provola cheese and chopped pistachios topped with olive oil.

Pordenone pizzeria goes nuts with ingredient intrigue, from pistachio sauce to black dough

Peperino Pizza and Grill in Pordenone pushes customers out of their comfort zones with unusual pizza ingredients such as pistachios and black dough.

A prototype collapsible ladder for the F-16 Viper is stored in the cockpit map case. The invention by Maj. Nick “Trapper” Atkins of Aviano Air Base in Italy would give F-16 pilots more versatility leaving the aircraft when landing in austere environments.

Aviano airman’s portable F-16 ladder idea rides momentum of Spark Tank triumph

An F-16 Viper pilot’s flash of inspiration amid frustration turned into a win in the annual Air Force innovation competition known as Spark Tank, where he beat out 137 other submissions.

The sun rises behind the Ara Pacis Mundi in Medea, Italy, on Nov. 5, 2024. Its name translates to Altar of World Peace. Marble pillars surround an altar containing an urn with soil from various war cemeteries and water samples from four seas.

Impressive peace altar in Italy honors all war dead amid history-rich park path

The Ara Pacis Mundi in the Italian city of Medea commemorates soldiers who have died in all wars. Its name translates to Altar of World Peace.

Italian employees from U.S. military bases in the country hold a demonstration as part of a two-day walk out near the south entrance to Aviano Air Base in June 2023. Another strike is looming on Nov. 4, 2024.

Italian AAFES workers plan walkout in protest of job cuts at US base in Aviano

Army and Air Force Exchange Service employees have the legal right to either show up on the job or walk out. Employees won’t notify supervisors of their choice until Monday, leaving AAFES in the dark about which areas of its operations will be affected and to what extent.

Army Sgt. Juan Loera-Rogers does a maximum weight deadlift during the U.S. Army Europe and Africa Best Warrior Competition at the Hohenfels Training Area, Germany, Aug. 7, 2021. The black-and-gold physical training uniform design will remain but the Army is looking at some new options for the clothing.

Army considers new options for PT uniform, but design will stay the same, Weimer says

The Army won’t redesign its physical training uniforms in 2025 but is looking at allowing soldiers to purchase different shirts and shorts that use the current black-and-gold look, the service said.

Spilimbergo cafe’s bounteous brioche takes heavyweight title

Le Strane Delizie, a pastry shop in Spilimbergo, Italy, whose name translates to The Strange Delights, serves the mega brioche, a mammoth creation that feels like it weighs about 5 pounds, and sells for 25 euros. It can be paired with the shop’s mega cappuccino, which is made with almost 34 ounces of milk and eight shots of espresso. The drink is too much for one person to consume, so be sure to have a companion or two along to share if you order it.

Kadena senior Neil Kentish said he was looking forward to Monday's first football practice even as far back as Oct. 28, when the Panthers won their Pacific-record eighth straight Division I title.

DODEA athletes return to practice fields, courts

Monday is first day of official practice for football, volleyball, cross country, tennis and golf in both Europe and Pacific theaters.

The search for Staff Sgt. Joseph Miele, a radar tech at Aviano Air Base in Italy who was reported missing four days ago, ended Saturday with his rescue. Here he is seen climbing the radar tower at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, in 2017.

Aviano airman who vanished found alive and well after 4-day search

The American airman who went missing four days ago from Aviano Air Base was found alive and unhurt Saturday, ending an intensive search in the Alps.

U.S. Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawks fly near Aviano Air Base, Italy, in December 2023. The 57th Rescue Squadron and a group of base volunteers have joined the search for Staff Sgt. Joseph Charles Miele, who has been missing since July 23, 2024.

Rescue squadron from Aviano added to Alps search for missing US airman

U.S. Air Force search and rescue crews and a group of Aviano Air Base volunteers have joined the effort to find an American airman missing since Tuesday.

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