Italian Air Force 156th Squadron To Begin F-35 Training Exercises At Luke Air Force Base In Arizona

The Italian Air Force is establishing a new operational conversion unit (OCU) in the 156 Gruppo (Squadron) to train Italian Air Force pilots to fly the F-35 Lightning II (aka Panther). Since Italy does not have large areas, the F-35 OCU will be located at the US Air Forces Luke Air Force Base in Phoenix, Arizona. This decision translates into a good time to look at Italy’s relationship with the F-35.