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mistake about it, this is an historic day in which an Italian flew the first F-35A with
an Italian assembled aircraft, rather than the USAF having done so.

How does that feel from an Italian point of view?

Answer: It feels great. It is a different mindset. We are working at a different level than
we have done in the past.

It must be weird from your point of view to have an Italian fly the first F-35 across the
Atlantic. We are making history. We are building it; we are flying it; we are maintaining
it.

We talk about facts. I am a pilot. We have flown all these flight hours with no prob-
lems; we are living a new reality. The aircraft is extremely reliable.

We are close to 50,000 flight hours with aircraft. That is a fact.

We had a no gripe no maintenance discrepancy during the flight as well.

Question: When the Marines we barred from flying from Pax River to the Farnbourgh
air show in 2014, how did this affect your preparation and thinking?

Answer: I certainly realized that I was going to be first and felt that pressure. But with
regard to the flight I talked with the Marines about their flight – they went from Yuma
to Pax – and their flight plan to come over. They were very helpful.

Semper Fidelis is what I have to say about that.

Question: How was the airplane ergonomically?

Answer: I did not think about it until you asked the question. The seat is very comfort-
able. You can stretch your legs in front of you. The helmet was confortable, and the
seat was very supportable and comfortable. With this helmet I do not have to turn my
head, which makes it easier as well for the pilot.

Question: When did you learn that you would do this flight?

Second Line of Defense Lessons Learned at Pax River
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