Captain Roberto M. (nickname “Pinna”), who joined the “Exchange” programme in 2015, is now part of the 74th Fighter Squadron and commands a formation of A-10C aircraft in the United States. Captain Roberto M., nicknamed “Pinna”, now heads a formation of United States Air Force (USAF) A-10 Thunderbolt IIs in the 74th Fighter Squadron. “Pinna” joined the “Military Personnel Exchange Program” in 2015, a programme which allows for interaction between air forces worldwide through the exchange of some of the most experienced pilots of different nationalities. “When the Commander invited me into his office to ask if I wanted to be a
Exchange Pilot ”and flying an A-10, I almost cried,’ Pinna recalls in an’
interview given to Airman Magazine, the official magazine of the United States Air Force.
The USAF, through the “Exchange” programme, offers a pilot exchange opportunity for foreign pilots from 30 different countries, but only one of these is chosen to fly the A-10C aircraft. Three years ago, Captain M., thanks in part to his previous operational experience gained with the AMX, was selected as the most suitable foreign pilot to operate the Warthog. The mutual study of factors such as the ability to communicate, operate, support and train is the basis of the “Military Personnel Exchange Program”. This is confirmed by “Pinna”, the pseudonym used by the Captain, clearly visible on the helmet that accompanies him daily in flight.
Arriving in Arizona at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Captain M. completed all the planned courses on the A-10C aircraft. Here he acquired the qualification of
Ready for combat attending the course known as TX-1, reserved for pilots already combat-ready on other fighter aircraft. Currently, “Pinna”, whose tour of duty in the United States will conclude in about two years, is also qualified as “Wingman” in a two-aircraft formation, “Form Leader” in multiple formations, and “Sandy 4”, i.e. a four-aircraft formation on Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) missions.
The “Exchange” programme represents an opportunity offered by the USAF to share techniques and procedures, consolidate professional relationships, increase trust between foreign air forces, learn to operate in synergy and with a view to complete interoperability between different countries. International cooperation and joint flying with pilots from other nations, within foreign air formations, allow for maximum integration between the different assets in the field, standardising the execution of assigned tasks and harmonising intervention capabilities in multinational missions.
