Decimomannu (CA), 11 June 2026 A meeting was held at the International Flight Training School (IFTS) in Decimomannu for serving and retired Air Force Generals, aimed at strengthening the bond between different generations of aviators and providing a valuable opportunity to share an updated vision of the Armed Force's main development lines.
“We are here to get to know up close an example of excellence within the Country System, born from a shared vision between the Italian Air Force and Leonardo, and from the capacity for far-sighted investment in advanced training.”, highlighted the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Air Squadron General Antonio Conserva, in his welcome address.“The International Flight Training School today represents an absolute benchmark training model, where technological innovation, operational skills and industrial collaboration are concretely integrated. Here we see realised, in day-to-day practice, what is often indicated as an objective in national and international forums: a modern, credible, interoperable and attractive training system, including for leading partners, as demonstrated by the experience of United States Air Force students. It is a heritage that confirms the Italian Air Force's role as an armed force capable of generating skills, cooperation, and strategic value for the country.”. “Let's take advantage of this prestigious venue – General Conserva then added – also to share a reflection on the evolutionary and reorganisational path of the Armed Forces, aimed at making them ever more aligned with current and future challenges. This reorganisation will represent an essential factor for enhancing skills, consolidating capabilities and ensuring that responsibilities and know-how are placed at the service of the country within an increasingly effective, integrated and excellence-oriented system.”
During his speech, General Conserva also expressed his sincere thanks to the men and women of the Air Force Schools Command and the Logistics Command, who, also through the Aerial Gunfire Experimental and Standardisation Department, ensure the operational readiness of Decimomannu airport every day, providing the necessary support for the training and operational activities conducted on the site.
Dr. Umberto Panetta then took the floor, who, in his capacity as Managing Director, Business Unit Services The Leonardo representative, [Name], greeted and thanked everyone for their participation, emphasising the strong synergy between the Defence Administration and national Industry, of which the IFTS is a virtuous example for the Country System.
Following this, Air Division General Alberto Surace, Head of the “Organisation and Personnel” Department of the Air Force Staff, gave an informative briefing on the main capability, organisational, and infrastructural aspects that will characterise the reorganisation process of the Air Force Staff and the Armed Force's High Commands, a restructuring project that is currently being studied and finalised with the aim of making the organisation increasingly effective with the resources allocated and increasingly ready to respond to the operational needs imposed by the evolution of the current geostrategic scenario and the aerospace domain.
The meeting continued with a briefing specifically dedicated to the IFTS programme and the training and educational activities provided by the 212th Flight Group/IFTS, presented by the Chief of Staff of the Air Force Schools Command/3rd RA, Air Brigadier General Paolo Rubino, and by Engineer Giovanni Basile, Senior Vice President of IFTS.
At the end of the conference, the delegation visited the main campus infrastructure: the briefing and debriefing rooms, the equipment room, the sports centre, and the accommodation facilities dedicated to attendees. Particular interest was shown in the simulator area within the GBTS building.Ground-Based Training System, a cornerstone of the IFTS training ecosystem, where guests were able to deepen their understanding and experience firsthand the capabilities offered by high-fidelity flight simulators and integrated synthetic systems, capable of reproducing complex operational scenarios in an immersive and realistic environment. The full integration between the T-346A, an aircraft currently used in Phase IV of military pilot training, and the advanced simulation system, represents one of the strengths of the IFTS training model as it maximises training effectiveness and prepares pilots to face the challenges of modern operational contexts according to the highest international standards.
The initiative represented a significant moment of meeting and discussion between serving and retired personnel, offering the opportunity to explore the developmental perspectives of the Air Force and to gain insight into one of the most advanced training environments within the Armed Force, now internationally recognised as a centre of excellence for military pilot training.
