Paco ChiericiDuring his ten year active duty career in the U.S. Navy, Francesco "Paco" Chierici flew A-6 Intruders and F-14 Tomcats, deployed to conflict zones from Somalia to Iraq, and was stationed aboard carriers including the USS Ranger, Lincoln, and Kitty Hak. Unwilling to give up dogfighting, he flew the F-5 Tiger II in the Navy Reserves for a further ten years as a Bandit, concurrent with his employment as a commercial pilot. Throughout his military career, Paco accumulated nearly 3,000 tactical hours, 400 carrier landings, a Southwest Asia Service Medal with Bronze Star, and three Strike/Flight Air Medals. Currently a 737 captain, Paco can also be found still getting his dogfighting fix in the skies above Northern California flying a Yak-50 with a group of likeminded G-hounds. Prior to Lions of the Sky, Paco published extensively in Aviation Classics Magazine, AOPA Magazine, and Fighter Sweep, as well as creating and producing the award-winning naval aviation documentary Speed and Angels. He lives in Northern California with his wife and two children. Read More Read Less