Mass communication junior Stephen Parr practices using a flight simulator in CSC Commanche Friday, Oct. 6. MSU hosted an exhibit showcasing 100 years of the Italian Air Force. (Cecil Witherspoon)
For 40 years, MSU and Sheppard Air Force Base have partnered with NATO to provide English classes to NATO pilots, including the Italian Air Force. The ITAF held an exhibition celebrating its 100th birthday in the Clark Student Center from Oct. 2 to Oct. 6, with a presentation showcasing Italian-American friendship on Oct. 6.
The ITAF annually sends 34 pilots to Sheppard for the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program. Each of these pilots comes through MSU for a seven-week-long English program where they learn aviation terminology.
Mauro Lorenzini, the Console General of Italy in Houston, visited MSU for the exhibition and presentation and spoke about the relationship between the U.S. and Italy.
“So it was thought as a way to establish a partnership between all the pilots of the alliance in a way that they can operate, like, in an integrated manner. And still today, I mean this experiment, as shown, it’s important. Still today, 50% of Italian pilots, they come to train here at the Sheppard base,” Lorenzini said.
“I would like the audience to hear about the relationship between the U.S. and Italy. This relationship, this bilateral relationship, is really the strongest we have with another country. It’s a historic one, and it’s a strategic one, but it’s also about friendship,” he added.
Colonel Andrea Cerri presents on the collaboration between the Italian Air Force and MSU, Oct. 6. (Stephanie Garcia)
The Global Education Office, headed by Michael Mills, is responsible for the Intensive English Language Institute. The GEO employs certified instructors to teach NATO pilots English. The GEO also works to immerse international pilots in American culture.
Mills said introducing pilots to local events helps with immersion.
“Then, as part of those classes, we encourage them to participate in things like trivia night, local restaurants, because we feel like that helps additional language training, and also getting to know Wichita Falls and the local community,” Mills said.
Members of Italian Air Force stand in honor of the Italian national anthem, Oct. 6. (Stephanie Garcia)
Colonel Andrea Cerri is in charge of the ITAF personnel on Sheppard AFB. He is an experienced pilot who completed the GEO’s language program in 2001.
“It has been really good. The partnership with MSU was really, really good. I also have been a part of this experience myself twice. So it was good. And when I came first time as a student, I think half of this campus was not here,” Cerri said.
For many pilots, training in Wichita Falls is their first experience in the U.S.
Cerri said many pilots experience culture shock upon arrival.
“So they’re kind of amazed when they depart Italy; they don’t know what to expect. We tell them it’s in Texas, we tell them about cowboys and stuff, so some of them come with an idea which is more wild than what it is,” Cerri said.
Cardboard cutouts displaying every major historical event in ITAF history from 1923-2023 covered the CSC atrium, while pilots set up a VR flight simulator where participants flew a plane using the same equipment, skills and techniques professionals use. Cerri gave a presentation in BAC Lonestar about the alliance between NATO nations, explicitly focusing on the United States and Italy. All of the events served as a reminder to the campus community of the ties between MSU and the pilots.
The Italian Air Force performs a flyover above Jesse Rogers Promenade, Oct. 6. (Stephanie Garcia)
The ITAF ended its weeklong exhibition by flying fighter jets over MSU’s promenade, further solidifying the partnership between the ITAF, Sheppard and MSU.
