The event took place this morning Friday 16 January, in the auditorium of the’International Flight Training School (IFTS) at Decimomannu (CA), the awarding ceremony for Wings from a military pilot to ten United States Air Force pilot trainees (United States Air Forcethe successful completion of the Basic Jet Training stipulated by their training syllabus.
The Wings The USA represents the official badge certifying the completion of flight training and the attainment of USAF military pilot qualification, fulfilling a function entirely analogous to that of the Italian “Aquile Turrite” (Towers Eagles). In both contexts, the bestowal of this symbol sanctions not only the achievement of a professional milestone but also full entry into the military pilot community, a tangible recognition of competence, discipline, and dedication acquired along a demanding training path.
USAF pilot training was managed and coordinated by 212th Flying Group/IFTS, an organisation dependent on the 61st Wing of Galatina, the unit responsible for the advanced training of military pilots according to operational and training standards shared with allied Air Forces.
At the event, chaired by Air Force General Francesco Vestito, Commander of Air Force Schools and of the 3rd Air Region, a representation of the US Air Force, led by the Director of Plans, Programs, Requirements and International Affairs, Headquarters of the USAF's Air Education and Training Command, participated. Brigadier General Matthew Leard.
After the national anthems were played, the Colonel Gianfranco Liccardo, Commander of the 61st Wing, welcomed everyone present, taking the opportunity to thank in particular the personnel of the 212th Group and those from the Leonardo company, “the main architects of a result that, once again, confirmed the goodness and validity of a project, the IFTS, in which public and private sectors work together for the benefit of the entire Country System”.
The most intense and emotional moment of the entire ceremony was when the families of the qualified pilots, who had travelled specially to Italy from the United States to celebrate the prestigious milestone achieved by their sons, pinned the Wings onto their uniforms: a simple gesture but one laden with meaning, as it sealed a journey of commitment and personal growth.
The ceremony concluded with an address by General Vestito, who, in emphasising the strategic value of international cooperation in flight training, highlighted the importance of a training model capable of combining excellence, innovation, and interoperability. In this context, the General pointed out that: “Today, the national training system represents an international benchmark, thanks to its ability to adapt flexibly and promptly to the operational, doctrinal and cultural requirements of the numerous Allied Air Forces that have chosen Italy for the training of their student pilots. Flight training is not just a technical-professional path, but a true growth process that encourages the sharing of common values, procedures and standards, contributing concretely to the strengthening of collective security and the full integration of forces in modern operational scenarios. The awarding of “Wings” to US trainees testifies to the effectiveness of a modern, advanced and fully interoperable training system, capable of expressing high levels of training quality and preparing highly qualified professionals, ready to operate with competence, responsibility and spirit of cooperation in complex and multinational contexts”.
The event confirms the central role of the International Flight Training School and the 61st Wing as a strategic tool for projecting the training excellence of the Air Force and the Defence sector internationally.
The activity is part of the International Flight Training School, a virtuous example of national institutional and industrial synergy capable of satisfying the growing demand for advanced training of Italian and partner country military pilots. The International Flight Training School stems from the strategic collaboration between the Italian Air Force and Leonardo for the creation of an advanced flight training centre destined to become an international reference point in the training of military pilots starting from Phase IV (Advanced/Lead-In to Fighter Training). With this in mind, a modern training centre was built at the Decimomannu air base, based on the use of the M-346 advanced trainer produced by Leonardo (named T-346A by the Air Force). The aircraft and its integrated training system allow the joint conduct of real and simulated activities, preparing future pilots for the most complex operational scenarios and maximising the quality and effectiveness of the training return.
It 61st Wing, flight school dependent on Air Force Schools Command / 3rd Air Region in Bari, offers courses in:
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Flight Training: “Wings” awarded to ten U.S. Air Force student pilots
The pilots completed the “Basic Jet Training” syllabus at the International Flight Training School in Decimomannu
On the morning of Friday 16 January, inside the auditorium of the International Flight Training School (IFTS) in Decimomannu (CA), a ceremony was held to award military pilot Wings to ten United States Air Force (USAF) student pilots who successfully completed the Basic Jet Training phase as expected by their training syllabus.
USAF Wings are the official badge certifying the completion of flight training and the attainment of USAF military pilot qualification, serving a role entirely comparable to the Italian “Aquile Turrite.” In both contexts, the award of this symbol marks not only the achievement of a professional milestone, but also full entry into the community of military pilots—a tangible recognition of competence, discipline, and dedication developed through a demanding training pathway.
USAF pilot training was managed and coordinated by the 212th Squadron/IFTS, a unit under the 61st Wing of Galatina, the organisation responsible for advanced military pilot training in accordance with operational and training standards shared with allied Air Forces.
The event, presided over by Air Squadron General Francesco Vestito, Commander of the Italian Air Force Schools Command / 3rd Air Region, was attended by a U.S. Air Force delegation led by Brigadier General Matthew Leard, Director of Plans, Programmes, Requirements and International Affairs, Headquarters Air Education and Training Command (AETC).
Following the performance of the national anthems, Colonel Gianfranco Liccardo, Commander of the 61st Wing, delivered a welcome address to all attendees, taking the opportunity to thank in particular the personnel of the 212th Squadron and those of Leonardo, “the main contributors to a result that, once again, has confirmed the soundness and value of a project—namely the IFTS—in which the public and private sectors work together for the benefit of the entire national system.”
The most intense and moving moment of the ceremony came when the newly winged pilots’ family members—who had travelled from the United States specifically to celebrate the prestigious milestone achieved by their loved ones—pinned the Wings onto their uniforms: a simple gesture rich in meaning, sealing a journey of commitment and personal growth.
The ceremony concluded with remarks by General Vestito, who, in highlighting the strategic value of international cooperation in flight training, underscored the importance of a training model capable of combining excellence, innovation, and interoperability. In this context, the General noted:
“Today, the national training system stands as an international benchmark thanks to its ability to adapt flexibly and promptly to the operational, doctrinal, and cultural requirements of the many allied Air Forces that have chosen Italy to train their student pilots. Flight training is not merely a technical-professional pathway, but a true process of growth that fosters the sharing of values, procedures, and common standards, contributing concretely to the strengthening of collective security and to the full integration of forces in modern operational scenarios. The awarding of Wings to students from the United States of America attests to the effectiveness of a modern, advanced, and fully interoperable training system, capable of delivering high levels of training quality and preparing highly qualified professionals ready to operate with competence, responsibility, and a spirit of cooperation in complex and multinational contexts.”
L'evento conferma il ruolo centrale della International Flight Training School e del 61° Stormo quali strumenti strategici di proiezione a livello internazionale dell'eccellenza formativa dell'Aeronautica Militare e, più ampiamente, del comparto della Difesa.
The activity takes place within the framework of the International Flight Training School, a virtuous example of national institutional and industrial synergy capable of meeting the growing demand for advanced training for Italian military pilots and those of partner countries. The International Flight Training School was established through a strategic collaboration between the Italian Air Force and Leonardo to create an advanced flight training centre intended to serve as an international benchmark for military pilot training starting from Phase IV (Advanced/Lead-In to Fighter Training). In this context, a modern training centre has been developed at Decimomannu Air Base, built around the use of the M-346 advanced trainer produced by Leonardo (designated T-346A by the Italian Air Force). The aircraft and its integrated training system enable the combined conduct of live and simulated activities, preparing future pilots for the most complex operational scenarios while maximising the quality and effectiveness of training outcomes.
The 61st Wing—a flight school under the Air Force Schools Command / 3rd Air Region in Bari—delivers the following courses:
