Author: Alistair Zammit Farrugia

Earlier this afternoon, two Leonardo T-345A aircraft from Lecce Galatina Air Base conducted a navigational training exercise that included a first time visit to Malta International Airport, highlighting the type’s active role in routine cross-country training missions across the central Mediterranean. The Aermacchi/Leonardo T-345A (company designation M-345) is a modern jet trainer developed by Leonardo S.p.A. as part of Italy’s effort to modernise its military pilot training pipeline.

Introduced into Italian Air Force service in June 2025, the aircraft replaces the long-serving MB-339 (T-339A) and is designed to cover the intermediate phases of training (Phase II and III), bridging the gap between basic instruction and advanced training on the T-346A. The T-345A is integrated into a wider training system that combines live flying with simulators and networked training environments, enabling realistic and cost-effective preparation of pilots before they transition to front-line fighters.

Within the Italian Air Force, the T-345A is currently operated by the 61° Stormo based at Galatina Air Base, one of Europe’s principal military flight training centres. At this base, the aircraft has been assigned to training squadrons including the 214th Squadron for Phase II training and the 213th Squadron for Phase III, progressively taking over duties from the MB-339. The introduction of the T-345A reinforces the role of the 61st Wing as a hub for both Italian and international pilot training, working alongside the more advanced T-346A fleet to provide a complete, modern training syllabus from initial jet instruction through to lead-in fighter training.

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A Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Hercules visited LMML earlier this afternoon following a period of scheduled maintenance at Cambridge, briefly returning to Maltese skies before continuing its journey back toward the Middle East. The aircraft belongs to the Royal Air Force of Oman’s Hercules fleet, which has formed the backbone of the sultanate’s tactical airlift capability for decades. Oman first introduced the C-130 to its inventory in the 1970s as it expanded and modernized its armed forces, selecting the type for its rugged reliability, ability to operate from austere airstrips, and versatility across transport, humanitarian, and military support roles.

Over the years the Omani fleet evolved from earlier C-130H models to the more advanced C-130J-30 variant, a stretched and significantly upgraded version featuring modern avionics, more efficient engines, and improved payload capacity. Operated primarily from RAFO’s main transport bases, these aircraft support a wide range of missions including troop and cargo transport, disaster relief, medical evacuation, and regional logistical support. Their long range and ability to operate in harsh desert environments have made the Hercules a key strategic asset for Oman, enabling rapid response across the country’s remote regions and contributing to international humanitarian and cooperative missions when required.

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High above the snow-covered peaks of the Alps, the helicopter crews of the Austrian Air Force are once again pushing their skills to the limit during their annual winter mountain flying training. Operating in extreme cold, thin air, and rapidly changing weather, pilots and crews rehearse precision landings, rescue scenarios, and complex alpine navigation in some of Europe’s most demanding terrain. This unique training ensures readiness for both national defense and emergency response missions in the high mountains. A full in-depth feature article on this extraordinary winter operation including maps, aircraft profiles, and behind the scenes insights can be found on the following link.

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On the 27th of January 2026, a USAF Boeing TC-135W sporting serial ’62-4129′ visited LMML on a technical stop on its way from Al Udeid to RAF Waddington.

The Boeing TC-135 is a specialized training aircraft derived from the Boeing C-135 family, which also includes the KC-135 Stratotanker and the RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft. Its primary mission is to train aircrews for the highly complex intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations conducted by the RC-135 fleet. While it does not normally perform operational intelligence missions itself, the TC-135 plays a crucial role in maintaining the readiness and effectiveness of U.S. Air Force reconnaissance forces.

More information on this very unique aircraft type can be found on the following link.

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Naval Air Station Kingsville, located in South Texas, is a major U.S. Navy jet training installation and home to Training Air Wing Two (TW-2). The base’s primary mission is to conduct intermediate and advanced jet training for Navy and Marine Corps student aviators using the T-45C Goshawk, preparing them for operational fleet aircraft and carrier operations. NAS Kingsville hosts two T-45C squadrons: VT-21 “Redhawks” and VT-22 “Golden Eagles.” Both squadrons provide rigorous instruction in formation flying, strike tactics, and carrier qualification, playing a critical role in developing skilled, fleet-ready naval aviators.

A report highlighting my visit in March 2024 to NAS Kingsville, Texas can be found on the following link.

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Lackland Air Force Base, located in San Antonio, Texas is part of Joint Base San Antonio and functions as the primary entry point for enlisted members of the United States Air Force. It is the only location where Air Force Basic Military Training is conducted. Each year, thousands of recruits pass through a demanding training program lasting approximately seven and a half weeks, at the conclusion of which they earn the title of Airman. Many graduates remain at Lackland to continue into follow-on technical training in career fields such as cybersecurity, medical specialties, security forces, and other Air Force occupations.

A report highlighting my visit in March 2024 to San Antonio, Texas can be found on the following link.

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Morris Air National Guard Base in Tucson, Arizona, is home to the 162nd Fighter Wing, one of the larger Air National Guard units in the United States. The primary focus of this wing is training pilots to operate the F-16 Fighting Falcon, supporting missions tied to homeland defense and participation in a range of international activities. The wing employs advanced flight simulators to create realistic training environments, helping pilots prepare for real operational demands. Additionally, the base has extensive maintenance infrastructure to keep its aircraft in peak condition and ready for missions.

A report highlighting my visit in March 2024 to Tucson, Arizona can be found on the following link.

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The 93d Fighter Squadron, known as the Makos, is part of the Air Force Reserve Command’s 482d Fighter Wing at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Florida. First activated in 1943, the squadron flew C-47 Skytrains in World War II operations including D-Day, Operation Market Garden, and the Siege of Bastogne. Reactivated as a reserve unit in 1949, the Makos have flown multiple aircraft over the decades and have operated the F-16C/D Fighting Falcon since 1995, conducting air superiority missions during Operations Northern Watch and Iraqi Freedom. As shown hereunder, the 93rd Fighter Squadron has also represented the United States Air Force through their participation in exercise Iniochos 2025

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The last military movement of the year 2025 at LMML consisted of a Kuwaiti Air Force Lockheed KC-130J Hercules. The Kuwait Air Force operates a fleet of three Lockheed Martin KC-130J Hercules aerial refueling and transport aircraft, acquired via a U.S. Foreign Military Sale contract signed in 2010 and delivered by early 2014. These extended-range tankers enhance Kuwait’s air mobility and provide in-flight refueling for fighter jets like its F/A-18s, while also performing tactical airlift, airdrop, humanitarian support and disaster-relief missions as needed. The KC-130J combines the proven Hercules airframe with modern engines and systems, and sustainment support for the Kuwait fleet is managed through ongoing contracts with allied partners and the U.S. Naval Air Systems Command.

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