The Italian Air Force has completed the first fuel transfer from a KC-767A tanker aircraft to T-346A and FT-339C jet trainers.
The in-flight refuelling was conducted between jet trainers belonging to the 61st Wing at Galatina near Lecce and tanker aircraft from 14th Wing at Pratica di Mare, near Rome.
This training activity is T-346’s first air-to-air refuelling (AAR) to date and MB-339 aircraft’s first AAR from the KC-767A.
The refuelling was carried out by the 61st Wing’s 212 Squadron pilots and was supported by the Air Operations Command (AOC) of Poggio Renatico.
During the sorties, the mating and fuel transfer for the aircraft were implemented in order.
The 212th Squadron is responsible for providing advanced training for pilots intended for flying tactical combat aircraft.
The students at the Italian Air Force’s flight school will learn basic elements of operating fast fighter aircraft under the eight-month lead-in fighter training.
The course involves flying typical profiles of ground attack missions and air-to-air combat
Besides flight instruction, students will also undergo an intensive theoretical training programme. The students will also be offered a basic course on intelligence.
The aircraft used for the LIFT course are the Aermacchi FT339C. The new T-346A is being used since August last year.
Image: A T-346A at Pratica di Mare air force base in Italy. Photo: courtesy of SCDBob.
