According to a US Navy press release issued on February 13, 2021, the Italian Navy Aircraft Carrier ITS Cavour has arrived at Naval Station Norfolk.

NORFOLK, Va. – The Italian Navy flagship, the aircraft carrier ITS Cavour (CVH 550), arrived at Naval Station Norfolk, Va. Feb 13 for a series of operations alongside U.S. military assets to attain the Italian Navy’s “Ready for Operations” certification to safely land and launch F-35B aircraft.

 While in the Western Atlantic, Cavour will be embarked by an F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) test team to conduct sea trials, a series of tests and functional activities to create a safe flight operating envelope for the short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) variant of the 5th generation aircraft aboard the recently upgraded ship.

This carrier-based flight test and other actions with U.S. 2nd Fleet ships and aircraft improve interoperability and strengthen the relationship between two NATO Allies.

“Operating in the Western Atlantic with our NATO allies presents a mutually beneficial opportunity to enhance both of our Navies’ capabilities,” said Vice Adm. Andrew Lewis, Commander of U.S. 2nd Fleet. “Supporting our Italian allies in certification of their aircraft carrier increases our collective experience in safety and combat abilities. We are stronger together.”

While crossing the Atlantic from Italy, ITS Cavour was met by the Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Stout (DDG 55) and conducted a three-day interoperability exercise with support from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7 and Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing (CPRW) 11. Specific events included integrated ship maneuvering, low-slow-flyer detect-to-engage, anti-surface warfare serials with P-8 participation, air defense/air intercept control event with F/A-18 participation, and C5I interoperability events in the Western Atlantic 10-12 Feb.

“We are deeply grateful for the warm welcome received by the U.S. Navy 2nd Fleet upon our arrival in the Western Atlantic waters,” said Capt. Giancarlo Ciappina, commanding officer of ITS Cavour. “My officers and the whole crew were impressed for the professionalism and seamanship shown during these three days of training by the crews of USS Stout, CVW 7 and CPRW 11. We consider a real privilege having the opportunity to sail and exercise alongside our closest allies and friends and we are very proud to share with the USN Community such important certification deployment, which will provide ITS Cavour and the Italian Naval Aviation with the 5th generation air combat capability of the Joint Strike Fighter.”

Upon arriving in Norfolk, ITS Cavour was hosted by USS John. C. Stennis (CVN 74). Stennis is coordinating and providing all pier services required by Cavour, to include refueling, diving operations, equipment and personnel on load, security, and contingency medical functions.

“We couldn’t be more excited to host our Italian ally,” said Capt. Cassidy Norman, Stennis’ commanding officer. “The Stennis team fully understands the importance of building trust and cooperation by supporting Cavour’s certification with the newest multi-role combat aircraft, the F-35. We are happy to see our Italian naval aviation counterparts dramatically increase their operational capability, strengthening our collective capability.”

The F-35 Pax River Integrated Test Force (ITF) team from Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. (NAS PAX River) comprises almost 200 people with the engineering and test pilot expertise and experience to conduct F-35B envelope expansion flight test, two specially instrumented developmental flight test aircraft, and support equipment.

“Italy is a critically important Cooperative Program Partner in the F-35 enterprise,” said Andrew Maack, F-35 Pax River ITF chief test engineer and site director.

“We are excited to get underway with the sailors of Cavour and honored to contribute to the aircraft carrier achieving the Italian Navy’s strategic goal of it being ‘Ready for Operations,’” Maack said. “We look forward to a phenomenally successful shipboard detachment.”

For decades, the bond between Europe and North America has made NATO the strongest alliance in history. Conducting training and exercises alongside allies and partners increases our collective capacity and capabilities as well as increased interoperability with the U.S. Forces.

U.S. 2nd Fleet exercises operational authority over assigned ships, aircraft, and landing forces on the East Coast and the Atlantic.

For an earlier look at the coming of this capability to the Italian force and the allied fleet, please see the following:

Re-Thinking the Role of the Smaller Deck Carrier: The Case of Cavour

By B-17 Engineer Steve Carter

Following the installation of the newly overhauled No 3 engine, the work had progressed well right through the winter. The work also included the removal, inspection and repair to the flaps, the wing trailing edge and the No 4 engine turbocharger.

There was great anticipation for a lovely summer season of flying, for memorial flypasts and airshows but then all of a sudden, the first COVID-19 Lockdown descended upon us all!

To continue working on Sally B during lockdown, careful safety measures had to be put in place first. Once this was done, we could continue our work on Sally B. This was welcome news for the engineering team who were eager to return.

Painting Sally B

With all this extra time in hand, Stuart Vincent came up with the great idea to give Sally B a new coat of paint – Elly thought it was an excellent idea and thus, with Peter Brown on board, the preparation of painting the aircraft was made.

Soon after the massive undertaking of completely repainting the aircraft began, led by professional painter Stuart with the help of dedicated members of the team among them Ian Wilson and John Jeffrey.

The painting continued on Sundays throughout the summer and will continue during the winter months.

The wings and horizontal stabilizer upper surfaces, the fin and rudder and most of the upper fuselage have now been painted, and Sally B is starting to look terrific.

We’re sure you will agree when you next see her.

More TLC for our B-17

Over the summer, this winter’s maintenance work also began; a calendar driven task, even though she has not flown this year. Some of this involved the very skillful hands of Stu Hicks and James Langley, helped by Luke Morgan and Thomas Carter-Pettit. They have, among other jobs, been checking for corrosion and replacing rivets all over the aircraft.

Darren Smith has also been busy, helped by Callum, his son, who is now of age. We find it essential that the younger generation are encouraged to get involved with practical preservation and in sharing our experience with the engineers of tomorrow.

We are proud that Sally B has played a significant part for several young people over the years, and Callum is one of those. Also, it may surprise you, but Sally B’s engineering team have over a century and a half of collective engineering experience on the B-17 alone.

With so much work, care and attention given to her, we hope that when you next see Sally B outside, she will look all the more the iconic aircraft we all know she is.

Not forgetting our Tug, GPU and Stores It’s not only Sally B that’s been getting the TLC treatment, as some of her support equipment is also receiving much needed attention.

The Tug has had a great deal of work done to it, including new lights, repaired seats, new electricals, carburetor and engine work and an overhaul of the braking system, with much of this work being undertaken by Ian Wilson.

The ground power unit (GPU), has also received attention by Graeme Douglas, included a whole new inlet and exhaust system. We’re hoping it will be a lot quieter?

Perhaps it’ll be so quiet, that we’ll forget she’s even running!

We also hope that after all this, there will be enough paint left over from painting the aircraft, to give both the tug and the GPU a sprucing up.

Over the summer, much work has also gone into improving our stores area and making better use of the available space.

We sincerely hope that 2021 will allow us to get Sally B out of the hangar and fly her for you, but we will have to wait and see.

Editor’s Note: For a chance to contribute to support the Sally B, please see the following:

https://www.sallyb.org.uk