As reported by La Sicilia on January 7, 2026, Italy’s Ministry of Defense has approved €112.6 million to establish a multinational F-35 Lightning II pilot training center at Trapani-Birgi Air Base in Sicily. The facility, the first dedicated F-35 training facility located outside the United States, will serve both as Italy’s third operational F-35 base and as an international training site for NATO and European Joint Strike Fighter partner nations. Initial training capability is scheduled for 2028, with full operational status planned for 2029. Read full defense news at this link... An F-35 Pilot Training Center is a dedicated facility where military aviators from the United States and allied nations learn to fly, operate, and employ the F-35 Lightning II fighter jet in real-world mission scenarios. (Picture source: Italian Air Force) Read more... from World Defence News https://ift.tt/jlkBreQ via IFTTT
The United Kingdom played a decisive behind-the-scenes role in a recent US military operation that led to the seizure of the tanker BELLA 1, a vessel assessed as Russian-linked and operating in violation of Iran sanctions, according to information released by the UK Ministry of Defence on January 7. While US forces conducted the physical interception and boarding northwest of Britain and Ireland, the operation relied heavily on UK-provided basing access, intelligence sharing, surveillance coverage, and maritime logistics support, highlighting the integrated nature of US-UK military enforcement activities in the North Atlantic. Read more . Screenshot from a video released by the US Coast Guard showing USCGC Munro approaching the Russian oil tanker M/V Marinara (BELLA 1) after the operation. (Picture source: U.S Coast Guard) Read full Defense news. from World Defence News https://ift.tt/S1sAUKb via IFTTT