The Italian Air Force and the US Air Force have signed a cooperation agreement that will see the US Air Force sending its pilots to Italy for training at the International Flight Training School (IFTS) in Decimomannu, Sardinia.
This agreement is of historical significance as it marks the first time that the USAF has sent its pilots to train outside of US territory at a NATO state.
US Training Syllabus at Decimomannu
The agreement named “_Concept of Operations_ (CONOPS) _for Flight Training of the USAF Military Personnel in Italy_” was signed by the Italian Air Force Chief of Staff, Air Squadron General Antonio Conserva, and Lieutenant General Brian S. Robinson, commander of the Air Education & Training Command for the US Air Force.
By the end of this year, the first ten US pilots who will take a nine-month training course called “_Multiphase Jet Training Integrated Syllabus_” are expected. This course is organized by the Italian Air Force and the USAF to achieve a flight patent with the T-346A aircraft.
The Strategic Value of Decimomannu’s IFTS
American selection confirms the absolute value of the IFTS, an initiative strongly desired and supported by the Italian Ministry of Defense, the Italian Air Force, and Leonardo which produces the advanced T-346A trainer, with CAE providing the sophisticated flight and simulated training system.
Decimomannu’s IFTS already includes highly critical air forces that send their pilots to train on Leonardo’s T-346A at Decimomannu’s air base, which has undergone significant infrastructure modernization work to render optimal the period dedicated to advanced training on the twinjet for the involved personnel.
For the USAF, using IFTS will mean its pilots can deepen their understanding of multinational environments and familiarize themselves with NATO’s operational standards outside of North American flight schools.
With the arrival of US pilots, Decimomannu’s IFTS is destined to confirm itself as an advanced training center of absolute global value with obvious positive implications for the structure, the Sardinian economy, and potential opportunities for orders for Leonardo’s M-346/T-346.
Source and photo credit @Italian Air Force
