The Royal Saudi Air Force interested in the Air Force’s training systems The delegation arrived at the 61st Wing at the “F. Cesari”From Galatina, he attended a briefing on the Department’s presentation during which the stages in which the training of military pilots is structured were outlined, with reference to the training methodologies currently in use and those related to the growth prospects of the Salento flight school.
Afterwards, the delegation visited the R.E.S. (Representation and Elaboration System), the system that allows, in an automated and computerized manner, to reconstruct the complex dynamics of flight missions; the MB339 simulators and the Ground Based Training System, the sophisticated integrated training system connected to the T346A aircraft, to be acquired soon; for Colonel Sergio Cavuoti, Commander of the 61st Squadron “The latest visit by a foreign delegation reflects the increased interest of foreign countries, even those not part of the NATO/EU context, in a reality that represents a unique feature in the international arena in the field of military flight training. The acquisition of increasingly modern and adapted training tools and processes to the systems of the latest generation weapons will constitute an essential factor for continuing to offer, even abroad, a competitive and absolutely high-quality product.”. In addition to this, the typically Italian ability to combine a high level of quality with adequate flexibility and availability to optimize the training process based on the needs of the different partners, and the pursuit of genuine cooperation in the training sector, rather than merely a mere “training offer”Together with the new philosophy of training and education, the Salento school is particularly sought after and attractive in all foreign countries. The visit concluded with the traditional exchange of crests. The 61st Flight Wing is a Flight School whose primary mission is to provide flight training and instruction on aerobatics for student pilots until they obtain the Military Pilot Certificate (Stages II and III), for military pilots who must obtain the “pre-operational” certificate (Lead In to Fighter Training), preparatory to the entry into service on the tactical-aerospace systems (phase IV) and of military pilots intended to perform the duties of “flight instructor”.
The number of foreigners attending the Salento flight school is growing steadily: currently the Department hosts Austrian, Greek, and Singaporean students, and, starting last year, students from Kuwait as well.
The 61st Air Wing uses the Italian-made MB339A (Phase II and III) and MB339CD (Phase IV) aircraft. The upcoming introduction of the T346A, also of Italian production, and the use of the associated integrated training system will be fundamental elements in continuing to ensure and consolidate a training offer unique in the international panorama. The meeting with the Saudi delegation at SMA 3rd Department on March 31 focused on the pilot training process, from recruitment to operational deployment. In this context, discussions were held about the future use of the T346, which is essential to bridge the technological and generational gap in the training phase with 4th and 5th generation aircraft. The next day the delegation was received by the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, General of the Air Force Pasquale Preziosa, where the interest in cooperation between the two air forces was reiterated in various activities such as participation in international training events and the training of F-2000 pilots.
On Wednesday, April 2, the delegation of Saudi Arabia’s Air Force Officers then visited the 4th Fighter Wing.
The delegation, led by Lieutenant Colonel Mohammed Ali Alamri and accompanied by Colonel Luigi Levante of the SMA 3rd Department, upon arriving at the Air Force base was welcomed by the Commander, Colonel Luca Spuntoni.
After greeting the guests and presenting the briefing on the Stormo, Commander Spuntoni took them on a tour of some of the top facilities at the Grosseto air base, including the 20th O.C.U. – Operational Conversion Unit, where pilots undergo the transition to the EFA aircraft, as well as the 904th G.E.A. (Group of Aircraft Efficiency) where Eurofighter aircraft are maintained.
The delegation left the airport in Grosseto after witnessing the takeoff of an training mission.
