Swedish fighter pilot students have for the first time been awarded Italian pilot wings at a ceremony at the Galatina airbase. The graduation day marks a shift in the training of fighter pilots, since parts of the training have been moved to Italy after the training aircraft SK 60 was decommissioned.
The training begins in Sweden on the training aircraft SK 40 and concludes at the Italian Air Force's international flight schools. At the same time, Swedish flight instructors participate in the training on-site in Italy alongside colleagues from other countries.
– It is a significant moment for the Air Force as our first Swedish fighter pilots now receive their Italian pilot wings – it marks a shift in era. We are very proud of their achievements, says Carl Bergqvist, head of the Air Combat School, in a press release from the Swedish Armed Forces.
The ceremony was conducted together with 18 other pilot students from Italy, Singapore, and Greece. According to the Swedish Armed Forces, the Swedish students have shown very good results during the training.
– I am very impressed by the students' endurance and fighting spirit in a sometimes very demanding training and for us a completely new environment, says Ola Höglund, head of the Flight School.
The Swedish Armed Forces also highlight that the international setup contributes to early experience of cooperation within NATO and frees up personnel in Sweden for active operations in the fighter squadrons.