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The MQ-28 Ghost Bat took part in a flight with the F-15EX and a proof-of-concept FARP operation as part of the Experimental Operations Unit’s activities during Valiant Shield 2026.

The Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) released new undated photos from Exercise Valiant Shield 2026, showing that the MQ-28 Ghost Bat flew together with the F-15EX Eagle II. The milestone flight transformed into reality Boeing’s concept artworks which suggested the goal of having the two platforms work together in Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) operations.

“An MQ-28 Ghost Bat and U.S. Air Force F-15EX Eagle II participated in Exercise Valiant Shield 2026 over the Philippine Sea, demonstrating the future of human-machine teaming in the theater,” said PACAF in a post on social media. “Uncrewed systems act as a force multiplier, extending the reach and effectiveness of human pilots.”



It is unclear if crew of the F-15EX, assigned to the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron, took control of the MQ-28 during the flight. It should be noted that the service’s fighter jets already took control of drones during past tests, thus the possibility of the F-15EX controlling the MQ-28 should not be excluded.

An F-15EX Eagle II and an MQ-28 Ghost Bat fly together during Valiant Shield 2026. | Source: PACAF

Moreover, in the press release announcing the MQ-28’s involvement in Valiant Shield last month, PACAF said “the uncrewed MQ-28 will fly in concert with crewed fighter platforms, providing a critical opportunity for the joint force to refine tactics, techniques, and procedures for this next evolution of airpower.”

Take a peek into the future.

With the F-15EX’s future manned-unmanned teaming capabilities supported by an advanced cockpit system, communication networks and two-seat configuration, the superior fighter could serve as a battle manager and joint all domain command and control. pic.twitter.com/07oRhGdIjV

— Boeing Defense (@BoeingDefense) September 4, 2025

The MQ-28 was deployed to Rota, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, for the duration of the exercise. The specific aircraft is a production representative airframe, which is equipped with an Infra-Red Search and Track (IRST) system.

Artist concept of a Boeing F-15EX flying in formation with four MQ-28s, back when it was still known as the Boeing Airpower Teaming System (ATS) aircraft. | Source: Boeing

While at Rota, the MQ-28 also took part in a proof-of-concept Forward Arming and Refueling Point (FARP) operation for Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) on June 28. The operation was supported by a HC-130J Combat King II and Airmen assigned to the 79th Rescue Squadron, alongside members of the Royal Australian Air Force and the Experimental Operations Unit (EOU).

The involvement of the EOU is notable as it was activated in June 2025 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, to accelerate the introduction of CCA. The role of the EOU will be to develop the initial tactics, techniques and procedures needed to ensure CCAs are integrated in the fleet and tactically viable for future conflicts.



The unit recently conducted a round of testing with the YFQ-44A at Edwards Air Force Base, California. The service said the unit “executed a series of sorties that refined core operational and logistical procedures for deploying and sustaining CCA in a contested environment.”

With PACAF confirming the involvement of the EOU, it is likely the participation to Valiant Shield 2026 was part of a new round of testing which used the MQ-28 as surrogate for the FQ-42 and FQ-44. The Air Force recently awarded production contracts for the two CCAs.

A U.S. Air Force HC-130J Combat King II and Airmen assigned to the 79th Rescue Squadron, alongside members of the Royal Australian Air Force and the Nellis Air Force Base-based Experimental Operations Unit, conduct a proof-of-concept Forward Arming and Refueling Point operation for Collaborative Combat Aircraft with the MQ-28 Ghost Bat in Rota, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, June 28, 2026, in support of VALIANT SHIELD 2026. | Source: U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Austin Salazar F-15EX Visits Kadena Again

The same F-15EX which flew with the MQ-28 also arrived at Kadena Air Base, Japan, on June 29, 2026, accompanied by two F-15E Strike Eagles. The visit, whose duration is unknown, might have happened after the flight with the MQ-28, as Valiant Shield officially ended on July 1.



This is the second time an F-15EX is deployed to Kadena as the base prepares to receive its permanently assigned Eagle IIs. As we reported in the past here at The Aviationist, the base is transitioning from the F-15C/D Eagle to the new F-15EX Eagle II.

The 67th Fighter Squadron will be Kadena’s first operational F-15EX unit, followed by the 44th Fighter Squadron. A total of 36 new fighters is expected to be delivered there starting next year, according to Air Force Secretary Troy Meink.

A U.S. Air Force F-15EX Eagle II assigned to 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, lands at Kadena Air Base, Japan, June 29, 2026. | Source: U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Gracelyn Hess

“The F-15EX represents the next chapter of airpower at Kadena,” said U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. John Gallemore, 18th Wing commander. “Our Airmen have the opportunity to train with the aircraft, build confidence in its capabilities and ensure we’re ready to project lethality and integrate into operations as we continue providing combat power in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

Valiant Shield

Valiant Shield is a biennial, multinational, joint exercise focused on integrating the joint force in a multi-domain environment. The exercise brings together forces from the U.S. Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Army, and Space Force, alongside regional allies and partners, to train across a vast geographic area in the Pacific.

First established in 2006, Valiant Shield has evolved into one of the largest and most sophisticated military exercises in the Pacific. This reflects the growing emphasis on joint and combined operations in response to an increasingly contested security environment.

A U.S. Air Force F-15EX Eagle II and F-15E Strike Eagles assigned to the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, fly in formation after receiving fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron over the Pacific Ocean, June 29, 2026. | Source: U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Dwane R. Young

“Valiant Shield demonstrates our enduring commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Adm. Steve Koehler, commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet. “Exercising advanced multidomain capabilities with our allies ensures we continue to seamlessly innovate and operate together, project combat power together and prevail over any challenge – together.”

The exercise typically features a wide range of assets, including fighter aircraft, bombers, aerial refueling tankers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) platforms, naval surface combatants, submarines, amphibious forces, and advanced command-and-control systems. “This routine training fosters real-world proficiency in sustaining joint forces through detecting, locating, tracking, and engaging units at sea, in the air, on land, and in cyberspace in response to a range of mission areas,” explains PACAF.

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Airmen and the local community gathered as Davis-Monthan hosted the final public A-10 Range Day at the Barry M. Goldwater Range.

Davis-Monthan Air Force Base hosted at the Barry M. Goldwater Range near Gila Bend, Arizona, the last public Range Day with the A-10C Thunderbolt II on Jun. 24, 2026 held its last Range Day. The announcement comes as the type inches towards its imminent retirement, despite Congressional approval to save the iconic aircraft.

“As the A-10C Thunderbolt II made one of its final passes over the Barry M. Goldwater Range near Gila Bend, Arizona, Airmen assigned to the 355th Wing, community members, and civic leaders gathered to witness the familiar roar that had echoed across Tucson’s skies for nearly five decades, marking one of the aircraft’s final range days,” said the press release.

For the sake of clarity, it should be noted, that while the press release mentioned “one of the aircraft’s final range days,” the title and the caption explicitly mentioned it “was the final A-10 Range Day.”

The Range Days are a traditional U.S. Air Force event held almost every other month at the Barry M. Goldwater Range by the 355th Wing. These events see the A-10C execute a live-fire demonstration of its combat mission, enthralling both public, Airmen, serving members and their families alike. 

A U.S. Airman photographs two A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft as they release flares on Jun. 25, 2026 at the Barry M. Goldwater range. | Source: U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Najzee Kuzu Imminent retirement

The A-10C, better known as Warthog, was earmarked for retirement by the end of 2026, however it will now remain in service at least until the 2030s. The U.S. Congress is in fact resisting attempts to fully retire the attack aircraft without a replacement.

The jets have seen considerable action against Iran during Operation Epic Fury, carrying a new refueling probe on the nose and electronic warfare pods, and returning with kill markings depicting bombs and Iranian naval vessels. The run up to the type’s eventual sundown has also seen the Air Force deactivate other associated units and activities.

This includes the shuttering of the 40th Test Flight Test Squadron’s Detachment 1 in December 2025, a geographically separate unit at Davis-Monthan AFB that executed A-10 developmental test operations. On Apr. 3, 2026, the U.S. Air Force also ended the training of the A-10C when the 357th Fighter Squadron graduated the last batch of student pilots at Davis-Monthan AFB. 

Final Range Day

Describing the final Range Day as “powerful and precise,” the service said this was “a living, breathing demonstration of everything the A-10 mission represented; discipline, dedication and an unwavering commitment to those on the ground watching.”

Among the spectators was also retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Glen “Wally” Moorhead, who has witnessed the A-10 over 38 years of service. Moorhead delivered the first A-10 to Davis-Monthan nearly five decades ago, and was also one of the first pilots of the A-10C variant.

U.S. Air Force Col. Jose Cabrera, 355th Wing Commander, watches an A-10C Thunderbolt II perform. | Source: U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Najzee Kuzu

“The culture of attack is a special culture inside the United States Air Force,” reflected Moorhead. “The people flying the airplanes, the people working on them, loading them, making them work, that culture of mission is just strong, it’s extremely strong. And it’s always been a pride of mine.”

Tucson natives meanwhile have come to view the Range Days as more than just aerobatic and live-fire demonstrations. “The growl of the gatling gun, and the sight of a warthog in the clouds above have become a message from the base to the city that supports it; a message that says, without words, that the people inside that fence are mission ready constantly,” said the release.

Retired Air Force Col. Bill Pitts, who flew the A-10 for more than 14 years in his 26-year career, reflected on the community ties the event: “The attitude, the atmosphere around the A-10 is special. The pilots grow to love each other, and the attack community is a unique bunch.”

A U.S. Air Force A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft assigned to the 357th Fighter Generation Squadron demonstrates live fire at the Barry M. Goldwater Range near Gila Bend, Arizona, June 11, 2026. | Source: U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Christopher Ornelas Jr. Other recent Range Days

The recent Range Days before the final one at Gila Bend were held from the beginning of the year on Mar. 27, 2026, May 1, May 28 and Jun. 11. Hosted by the 357th Fighter Generation Squadron (357th FGS), Range Days are attended by Airmen, civic leaders, Civil Air Patrol cadets and Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Cadets where they witness the “installation’s rescue and attack mission.”

A-10 Warthog strafing run! I think it was about 107°F up there on the range tower.

I had to keep my phone and camera in the shade between passes so that it wouldn’t overheat and not be able to record! pic.twitter.com/TbJOgVJr1w

— Andrew Kelly (@andrewkphotos) June 30, 2026

Attending Airmen “recognized as top performers had the opportunity to participate in an A-10 range day to see the mission their work supports.” As for the A-10, one image caption said the range day “demonstrated the aircraft’s speed and maneuverability while supporting pilot proficiency in dynamic training environments.”

Eleven 48th Fighter Wing Strike Eagles have returned home from the Iran air war sporting interesting nose art and bomb markings.

On Jul. 1, 2026, eleven F-15E Strike Eagles belonging to the 48th Fighter Wing returned home from their latest combat tour in the Middle East. Although some aircraft carried 494th FS markings, according to our sources all the aircrews were from the 492nd Fighter Squadron “Madhatters” (or “Bolars” from the squadron’s callsign). It is not unusual for the two squadrons of the 48th Fighter Wing to pool aircraft and borrow jets from one another when some airframes are unavailable. 

The jets made their way back to RAF Lakenheath from Jordan, where they had been deployed to support Operation Epic Fury, with a stopover at Sigonella Air Base in Italy.

Flying as TREND 11-15 and TREND 21-26, the first eight jets landed before sunset. Despite the poor lighting conditions, our contributor Stewart Jack was there and took some interesting photographs of the F-15Es. The shots reveal nicknames and nose art applied to the jets, as has become a tradition for deployments to the CENTCOM AOR (area of responsibility). In this case, the nicknames appear to follow a monster/cryptid theme, mixing mythological creatures and horror figures.

Overall, the first eight Strike Eagles were nicknamed Nessie, Kraken, Yeti, Chupacabra, Cthulhu, Cerberus, Sirenhead and El Jefe. The final three F-15Es landed at around 21:45 LT, when it was much darker, and for the moment we have been unable to determine their nicknames.

More in details the aircraft arrived in the following order:

00-3001 “Nessie”
91-0329 “Kraken”
97-0221 “Yeti”
01-2001 “Chupacabra”
91-0331 “Cthulhu”
91-0309 “Cerberus”
96-0205 “Sirenhead”
91-0324 “El Jefe”

91-0329 “Kraken” (All images, credit: Stewart Jack) | Source: Stewart Jack 97-0221 “Yeti” | Source: Stewart Jack 01-2001 “Chupacabra” | Source: Stewart Jack 91-0331 “Cthulhu” | Source: Stewart Jack 96-0205 “Sirenhead” | Source: Stewart Jack

All the aircraft sport a significant number of JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition) markings, with two of them, “Cerberus” and “El Jefe,” also painted with what appear to be AGM-158 JASSM (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile) silhouettes. Noteworthy, the first eight aircraft don’t seem to sport any APKWS II markings.

91-0309 “Cerberus” | Source: Stewart Jack 91-0324 “El Jefe” | Source: Stewart Jack

Nose art and nicknames on Strike Eagles deployed to the Middle East first appeared on the 18 F-15E Strike Eagle jets belonging to the 391st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron returning to Mountain Home AFB from OIR (Operation Inherent Resolve) in April 2019. Since then, it has become a standard for all the F-15E squadrons deployed to the CENTCOM AOR.

A big thank you to our contributor Stewart Jack Photography for sending us his photos!

An exclusive look inside the Italian Air Force’s Typhoon Operational Conversion Unit, where pilots are trained through advanced simulation, live flying and progressive tactical training.

Grosseto Air Base has been the home of the Italian Air Force’s 4th Wing for more than 60 years, serving as one of the service’s most prestigious and operationally demanding fighter units. From this strategic base, located about 94 miles (151 km) to the northwest of Rome, the Italian Eurofighter Typhoons maintain round-the-clock Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) duties, ensuring the round-the-clock protection of both Italian and NATO airspace.

The base is also home to the 20th Squadron – Operational Conversion Unit (20° Gruppo OCU), where pilots complete the final phase of their training before joining frontline Eurofighter Typhoon squadrons. Equipped with advanced simulators and cutting-edge training technologies, the unit plays a fundamental role in preparing aircrews for the complex operational environment they will encounter.

We had the opportunity to visit both the 4th Wing and the 20th OCU, gaining first-hand insight into their daily activities and talk with instructors, pilots and support personnel. Our visit revealed how the M-346 Master (T-346 according to the ItAF designation) has fundamentally transformed the Italian Air Force’s fighter training system: rather than simply introducing a new advanced trainer, the aircraft has reshaped the entire training pipeline, allowing many tactical and operational skills to be acquired earlier in a pilot’s career.

The “twin-stick” Eurofighter during taxi before a training sortie at Grosseto Air Base. | Source: Nicolò Teta

During our discussions with instructors and trainee pilots of the 20th OCU, we explored how this evolution has streamlined the transition to the Eurofighter Typhoon (F-2000A in accordance to Italy’s MoD Mission Design Series). By integrating advanced simulation, embedded training systems and a more progressive syllabus, today’s conversion course enables pilots to arrive on the frontline better prepared, making the transition to one of Europe’s most capable multirole fighters more effective than ever before.

Before the M-346: A Leap into the Unknown

Before the introduction of the M-346, pilots arrived at the 20th Squadron after completing advanced training on the MB-339CD or through international NATO programs such as the Euro NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training (ENJJPT).

An MB-339CD of the Italian Air Force, currently used for Phase III training by the 213th Squadron at Lecce Air Base. | Source: Italian Air Force

The greatest challenge was entering the world of modern combat systems. Radar operations, sensor management, tactical data fusion, and the interpretation of multifunction displays were entirely new concepts that had to be learned directly during operational conversion on the Eurofighter.

“Once pilots had mastered takeoffs and landings, the real challenge was learning to operate systems they had never encountered before,” explained an instructor.

As a result, numerous sorties were dedicated solely to learning procedures and familiarizing students with the aircraft’s onboard sensors, inevitably slowing progression toward more advanced tactical employment.

The LIFT Revolution

The introduction of the M-346 and the Leading to Fighter Training (LIFT) concept has allowed the Italian Air Force to completely redesign its fighter training pipeline. Thanks to the aircraft’s capabilities and the seamless integration of advanced simulation with live flying, students now experience training events during their course at the 212th Squadron of the 61st Wing at Decimomannu Air Base that were once reserved exclusively for Eurofighter operational conversion.

An M-346A during a performance climb. | Source: Nicolò Teta

Radar intercepts, Beyond Visual Range (BVR) engagements, air-to-air combat, sensor management, simulated weapons employment, and tactical mission execution are now mastered well before pilots arrive at the OCU. The result has been a substantial shift of the training workload to earlier phases of pilot development.

“Today’s students arrive with a much stronger foundation than in the past,” the instructor explained. “This allows us to devote more time to advanced operational skills and the multirole capabilities that define today’s Typhoon.”

From Flight School to the Eurofighter: A Progressive Learning Curve

From the students’ perspective, arriving at the 20th Squadron is no longer the dramatic leap it once was. By the time they begin OCU training, pilots already possess years of experience, hundreds of flight hours, and a solid aviation culture developed throughout their training career.

An Italian Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon begins its take-off roll at Grosseto Air Base. | Source: Nicolò Teta

“The impact is certainly significant, but it’s no longer a leap into the unknown,” one trainee told us. “The fundamentals of airmanship and mission management have already been built over the previous years.”

The Eurofighter introduces higher levels of performance, more sophisticated systems, and greater responsibility, but many of the underlying concepts have already been assimilated during training on the M-346.

The Eurofighter Typhoon: From Air Superiority to Swing Role Operations

Originally conceived as an air superiority fighter designed to defend national airspace, the Eurofighter Typhoon has progressively evolved into a swing role platform capable of switching between air-to-air and air-to-ground missions within the same sortie.

Two Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft from the Italian Air Force’s 4th Wing performing a high-performance manoeuvre with reheat selected. | Source: Leonardo

Powered by two Eurojet EJ200 afterburning engines, it can reach Mach 2 and sustain supersonic flight without afterburner in supercruise conditions. Its delta wing with canard foreplanes, combined with a fully digital fly-by-wire control system, provides exceptional agility and high-performance handling across the entire flight envelope.

With a length of 15.96 metres, a wingspan of 10.95 metres and a maximum take-off weight of 23,500 kilograms, the aircraft carries its weapon load on thirteen hardpoints, in addition to a 27 mm Mauser BK-27 internal cannon. Continuous upgrades in software, sensors and precision weapons have transformed the Typhoon into a true multirole combat system, capable of conducting air policing, strike missions and tactical reconnaissance with high effectiveness.

The twin-seat “Twin Stick” variant complements the operational fleet, playing a key role in training and conversion while retaining the majority of combat capabilities of the single-seat version.

Ground School: Building the Foundation

The course begins with an intensive Ground School phase. Days are filled with classroom instruction, individual study, and in-depth analysis of the aircraft’s technical documentation. Students spend countless hours learning the aircraft’s systems, procedures, and operational philosophy.

The entrance hall of the 20th Operational Conversion Unit, where the squadron’s heritage, from the iconic F-104 Starfighter to the Eurofighter Typhoon, is proudly preserved. | Source: Nicolò Cerantonio

Throughout the academics, trainees are also supported by Leonardo’s instructor pilots and training personnel, who contribute to the Italian Air Force’s Eurofighter pilot programme. Working alongside the military instructional staff, they provide operational expertise and continuous guidance at every stage of the academic phase.

During this phase, instructors assess far more than technical knowledge. Professional attitude, discipline, commitment, motivation, and the ability to apply knowledge are considered just as important as technical competence.

According to the instructors, attitude is often every bit as important as technical ability.

The Gentex ACS (Aircrew Combat System) helmet with the iconic 20th Squadron helmet cover. | Source: Italian Air Force Simulation and Live Flying: An Essential Partnership

One of the cornerstones of modern fighter training is the simulator. Before ever flying the Eurofighter, students spend many hours in the Aircrew Synthetic Training Aids (ASTA) building at Grosseto Air Base, an integrated simulation environment that supports the Italian Air Force’s Eurofighter training programme.

The ASTA facility is co-located within the same building that also houses the 20th Operational Conversion Unit, ensuring full integration between simulator-based training and the operational conversion syllabus. The system employs three complementary simulator categories: the Cockpit Trainer (CT), the Full Mission Simulator (FMS), and the Enhanced Aircrew Cockpit Procedures Trainer (EACPT), each designed to progressively develop procedural knowledge, systems management, tactical awareness, and mission execution.

The importance of simulation within the training environment is also reflected in the motto displayed on the ASTA building at Grosseto Air Base: “Simulatione siderum tenus”, inspired by the traditional Air Force motto “Virtute siderum tenus”. The phrase encapsulates the role of simulation as a bridge between classroom learning and real-world operational readiness.

By the time they step into the real aircraft, the cockpit environment, procedures, and aircraft systems already feel familiar. However, even the most advanced simulator cannot fully reproduce every variable encountered in the real world.

Technical malfunctions, civilian air traffic, changing weather conditions, and the complexity of the operational environment demand decision-making skills that extend beyond simply following procedures. It is during this phase that a pilot’s professional maturity truly begins to emerge.

From Conventional Controls to Fly-by-Wire

Another major evolution in training concerns digital flight control systems. The M-346 introduces students to fly-by-wire logic and Flight Control Computer management long before they transition to the Eurofighter.

“Students now arrive with a level of sensitivity that previous generations had to develop directly on the Typhoon,” said an instructor.

The advanced trainer’s performance also exposes students to high G-loads, rapid acceleration, and flight dynamics that closely resemble those of a modern frontline fighter.

Inside the cockpit of a Eurofighter Typhoon during a training sortie, showing the pilot’s in-flight working environment. (Image credit: Italian Air Force) | Source: Italian Air Force The Real Radar Remains One of the Greatest Challenges

Despite remarkable advances in simulation, transitioning from a simulated radar to the real system remains one of the most demanding aspects of operational conversion.

Synthetic scenarios are carefully controlled and predictable. In the real operational environment, pilots must deal with a much larger volume of information and with phenomena that cannot be perfectly replicated.

Correctly interpreting radar returns, identifying contacts, and maintaining high levels of situational awareness remain among the most challenging elements of fighter conversion training.

[Read also: First hand account: Flying the Eurofighter Typhoon in the Aggressor role during supersonic air combat training]

From Instruction to Independence

As training progresses, the instructors’ role gradually evolves. Initially, they guide students step by step through every procedure.

Later, the emphasis shifts toward developing independent decision-making. Rather than simply evaluating whether a decision was correct, instructors seek to understand the student’s reasoning process, even when the outcome is less than perfect.

The objective is not to produce pilots who merely execute procedures, but professionals capable of analysing complex situations, accepting responsibility, and making sound decisions under pressure. Throughout this journey, the instructor-student relationship gradually develops into one of genuine professional mentorship.

A Eurofighter Typhoon executing a “gate climb” in QRA configuration. | Source: Nicolò Teta The Emotion of the First Solo Flight

One of the defining moments of the entire training program is the first solo flight. After weeks of flying alongside instructors, students suddenly find themselves alone in the cockpit.

The initial tension is inevitable, but it quickly gives way to confidence. Everything that has been studied, rehearsed, and practiced in the simulator begins to feel natural.

Pilots gradually develop trust in their own abilities and build the confidence required for operational independence. For many, it becomes one of the most memorable and rewarding moments of their entire career.

Close Air Support and Joint Operations

Among the most significant additions to the modern syllabus is Close Air Support (CAS) training. These missions are conducted in close cooperation with Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs) from both the Italian Army and the Italian Air Force.

A Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) coordinates a Close Air Support (CAS) mission, likely transmitting a Nine-Line brief to the supporting aircraft. | Source: Italian Air Force

This allows future fighter pilots to better understand the needs of ground forces while developing a broader perspective of the modern battlefield. “It’s essential to understand what the personnel on the ground see, while also helping them understand how we interpret the situation from the air,” said an instructor.

This approach strengthens interoperability among the different services and enhances overall operational effectiveness.

Learning from Mistakes

Not every challenge encountered during training is technical. Many young fighter pilots are highly self-critical after a mission that falls short of perfection.

For this reason, learning how to deal constructively with mistakes forms an essential part of the training process. Mission debriefings analyse every detail of the sortie, allowing students to understand what happened and identify opportunities for improvement.

“The ability to move forward after making a mistake is one of the most important qualities a military pilot can develop,” said an instructor. It is a lesson that proves invaluable not only in flight, but throughout an entire professional career.

The Fulfilment of a Dream

The ultimate goal of the course is achieving Limited Combat Readiness (LCR) qualification before joining an operational squadron. For every student, this represents the culmination of a journey that began many years earlier—a path built on study, sacrifice, determination, and continuous professional growth.

A Eurofighter Typhoon prepares for a training sortie at Grosseto Air Base, with the iconic hangar of the Italian Air Force 4th Wing (4° Stormo Caccia) visible behind. | Source: Nicolò Teta

Looking back, many recognize that the course has transformed them not only as aviators but also as individuals. The Eurofighter represents the pinnacle of their training, yet it also marks the beginning of a new chapter.

Because becoming a fighter pilot is about far more than learning to fly a high-performance aircraft. It means joining a professional community entrusted every day with safeguarding national airspace through competence, responsibility, and a deep sense of service.

In an era where technology continues to evolve at an extraordinary pace, one element remains unchanged: the value of people. It is through the combination of innovation, the experience of instructors, and the determination of students that the next generation of Italian Air Force fighter pilots is being forged.

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