The Commander of the 61st Wing in Galatina has presented five “fighter” pilots, three Greek and two Austrian, with their wings for flying on tactical air units. The course, which has just concluded, lasted approximately seven months and was demanding and challenging. The new pilots underwent intensive training, totalling around 1,000 events, comprising both flight and simulator sessions. These included missions with simulated ground attack profiles, Air-to-Air combat missions (with 1 vs 1 and 2 vs 1 scenarios) integrated with tactical air defence radar controllers, and in-flight refuelling missions with a KC130 aircraft. Notably, during the deployment to the firing range at Decimomannu, the pilots experienced Air-to-Ground firing missions for the first time, which greatly enthused the trainees themselves, as reported by the young pilots from the...“Hellenic Air Force”and of the“Austrian Air Force”Words of appreciation for the work carried out were expressed by Colonel Sergio Cavuoti, Commander of the Salento base, who, while extending his congratulations to the new pilots“pre-operative” he did not fail to highlight the contribution of all the Base staff in achieving the prestigious objective. “Once again – declared the Commander of the Galatina Military Airport – The international character of this Flying School stands out, with its specificities representing a unique reality in the national and international landscape of military flight training. The 61st Wing is undergoing a period of profound change, both in terms of increasingly modern training tools and processes, aligned with the latest generation weapon systems, and with reference to the exponential development of relationships with international partners who recognise the Salento Unit as a centre of excellence in flight training.”.
