SKYSTRIKER. The code name used by U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Alexander P. Russo, born in Providence, Rhode Island. Russo grew up on an Air Force base where his father was in charge of flight operations. After graduation from the Air Force Academy, he entered Officers Flight School and became a pilot. He later joined the G.I. Joe team where he flew a Conquest X-30 in a number of attacks on Cobra Island. Eventually, he was assigned to the team's Tiger Force unit as pilot of the Tiger Rat fighter. Today, like many Joes, Skystriker is a reserve member of the team. During the conflict known as World War III, he was stationed on the U.S.S. Flagg and flew in a number of combat operations launched from the carrier.