Base Visits
Borgosesia - Italy
The Borgosesia HEMS base serves as a vital mountain rescue hub in northern Piedmont, operating since 1988. Utilizing a specialized Leonardo AW139 equipped with a hoist, the base ensures rapid medical intervention in challenging alpine terrain. The mission highlights the seamless coordination between specialized aircrews and mountain rescue teams to provide life-saving assistance in remote areas.
Mirosławiec - Poland
After more than 40 years of service, the Polish Air Force retired its legendary Sukhoi Su-22 “Fitter” on September 11th, 2025. This final flight marks the end of an era for Soviet-designed jets in Poland, closing a significant chapter in European military aviation history.
Ghedi, Brescia - Italy
In 2024, the Italian Air Force celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Panavia Tornado’s first flight. The event featured two aircraft with special liveries (MM7067 and MM7051) honoring the jet’s legacy and European cooperation. This milestone pays tribute to five decades of service as the iconic “swing-wing” jet nears its operational retirement.
Malbork - Poland
From March to July 2024, Malbork Air Base hosted the “TFA 4th Wing” Air Policing mission, involving Polish MiG-29s and Italian Eurofighter Typhoons. Our visit captured the 41st Tactical Squadron’s Fulcrums in action alongside the Italian Typhoons, performing training sorties and QRA scrambles. This report highlights the final years of the Polish MiG-29 fleet before its scheduled retirement in realy 2026.
Payerne - Switzerland
On May 25th 2023, the world’s last civilian operated Mirage III (HB-RDF) performed its farewell flights at Payerne Air Base. After 15 years of airshow displays and passenger flights, the iconic French-Swiss jet was permanently grounded due to flying permit expiration. It now rests as a centerpiece at the Clin d’Ailes Museum, marking the end of the Mirage III flight era in Europe.
Soon-To-Be Published
Maspalomas HEMS Base
El Berriel - Spain
The HEMS base at El Berriel (Maspalomas) is a critical asset for emergency medical services and SAR operations across the Canary Islands. Operating a versatile Bell 412, the base provides rapid response capabilities for both offshore maritime incidents and complex inland mountain rescues. This strategic hub ensures essential medical coverage for the archipelago’s diverse and demanding terrain.
6th Wing's Flying Activity
Ghedi, Brescia - Italy
The June 2023 Ghedi AFB Open Day showcased the 6th Wing’s transition from the iconic Panavia Tornado IDS/ECR to the F-35A. We captured the operational synergy between legacy cold-war era platforms and 5th-gen stealth assets during high-tempo flight operations. This event offered a premier look at the “Diavoli Rossi” as they redefine the strategic capabilities of the Italian Air Force.