Giuseppe Cavo Dragone

Early life and education Cavo Dragone was born in Arquata Scrivia on 28 February 1957. He entered the Italian Naval Academy in Livorno in 1976 and graduated from his class in 1980. Cavo Dragone earned his Naval Aviator wings at the Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, in 1989. Cavo Dragone returned to the US, where entered flight courses at the Naval Air Station Meridian, and in the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, and became carrier qualified on the in January 1990.

Career Admiral Dragone with US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Charles Q. Brown during the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Ramstein Air Base, Germany

Cavo Dragone is a naval aviator and served as a helicopter pilot for nearly 7 years, before being transferred aboard frigates such as the Orsa and flew the UH-1 L Bell UH-1N Twin Huey, and the Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King helicopters. Cavo Dragone initially served as a helicopter pilot aboard the Ardito during the Lebanese Civil War as part of the Italian Forces during the Multinational Force in Lebanon. Cavo Dragone was among the few selected pilots transitioning to flying jets, where he flew the AV-8B Harrier II+ and garnered a total flight time of 2,500 hours. Cavo Dragone became a flight commander aboard the Maestrale-class frigates 1986–1987, and also served as a commanding officer in various ships in the Italian Navy. Cavo Dragone was placed in command of his first ship, the minehunter Milazzo from 1987 to 1988, before being placed as the commander of the Operations Unit (Reparto Operazioni) of the Italian Naval Aviation twice, from 1991 to 1993 and on 1997–1998. In January 2012, in the aftermath of the Costa Concordia disaster, Cavo Dragone was named as head of the board of experts in advising search and rescue and recovery operations on the Costa Concordia, and assisted the judge in the trial of the case regarding the disaster.

Awards in military service

Command Duties Bronze Medal Operation Enduring Freedom Medal

Badges Military Paratrooper Badge Military Scuba Diver Badge