Lecce–Galatina Air Base (ICAO: LIBN), officially “Fortunato Cesari,” is a key training installation of the Italian Air Force located near Galatina in the Apulia (Puglia) region, not far from the city of Lecce. The base is home to the 61° Stormo, which oversees advanced jet and lead-in fighter pilot training. Equipped with a control tower, maintenance hangars, administrative buildings, and classrooms, the base supports a modern and comprehensive training infrastructure.
A major recent development: on 12 June 2025, the base officially transferred from the older T‑339A (MB‑339) trainer to the new T‑345A (M-345) in a symbolic “passaggio di consegne.” This marks a generational leap in pilot training, as the T-345A features modern avionics, lower operating costs, and is well-aligned with the later-stage T‑346A used by the training wing.
Starting in July 2025, the first training course on the T-345A began at Galatina. This new syllabus (Phase II of pilot training) includes not only Italian but also Dutch student pilots, highlighting the international dimension of the school.
The base also continues to develop as a training center: on 3 February 2025, the Chief of Staff of the Italian Air Force visited Galatina and took part in a flight demonstration tied to the T‑345A’s integration. Overall, the T‑345A is now being flown by the 214° Gruppo Volo of the 61° Stormo for the basic and basic-advanced training phases.
In addition to training, Galatina remains active in community and institutional initiatives. In 2024, the base conducted several solidarity activities, including donations to the pediatric oncology ward of Lecce’s “Vito Fazzi” hospital. Despite modernization, some long‑standing infrastructure issues remain: there are reports of access and scheduling challenges at the airfield shared by flying and maintenance units.
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