That's just your interpretation

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Ryan Conroy
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  When an Airman is stationed somewhere English is not the primary language, there comes a time when basic-language skills fall short and the need for a professional linguist becomes apparent.

This is where Biagino Giannotto plays a significant role in the day-to-day operations of the 31st Security Forces Squadron as an Italian/English translator.

"I can do anything and everything that entails having to work with the local authorities," said Gianotto. "When there's any sort of incident, I serve as the liaison so that both parties understand each other. It's important that everyone at the scene knows the 'what, where, why and how' of what's going on."

As an on-call translator for the cops, the man admirably nicknamed "G" responds to a variety of calls. This could include car accidents, home invasions and fires, but it could also mean translating base events when other translator personnel are strained thin.

"It would probably be harder to find something we're not involved in," said Giannotto. "It can change with every call, every shift."

Raised in Chicago, Giannotto moved to Italy at the age of 27 in search of a job with Aviano in 1987. April will mark his 29th year serving the U.S. Air Force as a government employee.

"They don't want to get rid of me yet, so I must be doing something right," Giannotto joked.

In those 29 years, the energetic man has gained a lot of experience, and with the experience, comes his stories. Reflecting upon some of the most memorable experiences during his tenure, Giannotto delves into one of the hardest days that he will remember for the rest of his life.

It was 1998 when the news reached Giannotto while he was off duty. A low-flying U.S. Marine Corps plane cut a cable supporting a gondola of an aerial tramway at a Cavalese Ski Resort, killing 20 people. Giannotto was called into the investigation after the initial accident and served as a translator for the lawyers to the four Marine pilots.

"I remember it like it was yesterday," Giannotto sighed. "I didn't know how big it was until later.

"When there's an incident of that proportion, you need to be firing on all cylinders, there's no time to adjust to the shock because people are relying on you," added Giannotto. "I had to keep my cool the entire time and it was a gut-wrenching feeling, but that's how it is, you have to be ready to react to anything." 

By anything, Giannotto refers to events such as operations in Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya.  He could also imply that anything means helping a U.S. service member who was in a car accident and doesn't know what to do or how to talk to the authorities.

To perform a security forces translator's job, there has to be strong relationships with the local authorities, said Giannoto. These agencies include: Vigile Urbani - municipal police, Carabinieri - military police, Polizia di Stato - state police, Polizia Stradale - highway patrol, Guardia di Finanza - financial police, the prefect from the mayor's office and several smaller agencies in the area.

With so many responsibilities and people relying on him, Giannotto can't imagine doing anything else and plans to stay at Aviano as long as the squadron allows.

"I love my job," said Giannotto. "It doesn't come with awards or anything but that's not why I do it. The base gave me an opportunity back in 1987, and I swore right then and there, that if anyone ever needs my help, I'll do what I can as best as I can."