Italy to Host First F-35 Training School Outside the United States Aviation News – Italy has announced that an air force base in Sicily will become the first F-35 training school outside the United States, underlining rising European demand for pilots as more countries order the stealth fighter. The Italian defense ministry said the F-35 Joint Program Office and Lockheed Martin will oversee preparations at Trapani-Birgi Air Base, with initial ground training scheduled to begin by December 2028 and a dedicated Lightning Training Centre due for completion by July 2029.

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Alenia Aermacchi T-346A photo by David James Clelford Italy - Air Force | Alenia Aermacchi | T-346A | MM55155 | UK - England, Fairford (FFD - EGVA) | Photo taken by David James Clelford

MM55155, Alenia Aermacchi T-346A, Aeronautica Militare - Italy Air Force, Fairford EGVA / FFD, RIAT 2025, 20th July 2025. #aviation #photography #avgeek #aircraft #military #militaryaircraft #militaryaviation #ItalyAirForce #AeronauticaMilitare #Leonardo #planepics #RIAT #planespotting #aeroplane

Aermacchi MB-339-A/PAN photo by David James Clelford Italy - Air Force - Frecce Tricolori | Aermacchi | MB-339-A/PAN | MM54551 | UK - England, Fairford (FFD - EGVA) | Photo taken by David James Clelford

MM54551, Aermacchi MB-339-A/PAN, Italy Air Force - Frecce Tricolori, Fairford EGVA / FFD, RIAT 2025, 20th July 2025. #aviation #photography #avgeek #aircraft #military #militaryaircraft #militaryaviation #planespotting #planepics #FrecceTricolori #ItalyAirForce #RIAT #RIAT2025 #aeroplane #jets #EGVA

Eurofighter Typhoon photo by David James Clelford Italy - Air Force | Eurofighter | Typhoon | MM7349 | UK - England, Fairford (FFD - EGVA) | Photo taken by David James Clelford

MM7349, Eurofighter Typhoon EF2000, Italy Air Force, Fairford EGVA / FFD - RIAT 2025, 20th July 2025. #aviation #photography #aircraft #avgeek #aviationgeek #military #militaryaircraft #militaryaviation #RIAT #eurofighter #typhoon #Fairford #airdisplay #italyairforce #airforce #Italianairforce