IIRC
Italy’s Garibaldi aircraft carrier, commissioned in 1985. She replaced the ageing ASW helicopter cruisers Andrea Doria and Caio Duilio (Andrea Doria class, 1958). Due to political considerations she did not receive her Harriers until 1989.
The Principe de Asturias aircraft carrier has been in service with the Spanish Navy since 1988. It’s predecessor Dedalo was an ex-USN light carrier that was acquired in 1967 following a major overhaul and conversion to an ASW carrier. Dedalo operated only ASW helicopters until several Harriers (AV-8A)were first embarked in 1976.
Operating a helicopter carrier isn’t that different from operating large helicopter cruisers. So, as far as Harrier operations are concerned, Spain would seem to have only 13 years of operational experience over the Italian counterparts.
IIRC
Correct on your math. Nevertheless, in a matter of speaking, the difference in operational experience is huge.
A little correction to your post though, the first AV8 ops on DEDALO occurred in 1972 when UK test Pilot John Farley executed a series of test to verify the capability of DEDALO’s wooden deck to operate AV8’s. The first Armada pilots began to train for fixed wing ops with the USN in 1974 and transitioned to AV8 ops with VMAT-203. The 8th Esq. stood up for ops in DEDALO in 1976 (they did loose their first AV8 during during the delivery trip while over US territory), nevertheless the pilots had already racked up many hours operating with the USMC and onboard US ships.
To this day training of Spanish Harriers pilots occurs under the tutelage of the USN/USMC, and there is a Spanish naval aviator on exchange assignment with VMAT-203. Also, since 1976s a USMC pilot has exchanged with the Spanish Navy AV8 unit–there is also an HSL rotorhead in exchange, and there used to be a SWO type (my most rewarding assignment!!) :p but I heard some time ago that they had discontinued the exchange of surface officers. I sincerely hope that my tenure in Rota was not cause of that. :dev2:
Sign In
