Gripen on Gripen

The F7 squadron of the Swedish Air Force and the Puma Squadron of the HDF 59th ‘Dezső Szentgyörgyi’ Air Base are conducting an exercise in Kecskemét between November 9-16.

This is the first joint training flight in which pilots of both countries are flying Jas-39 aircraft.

Lt.-Col. Csaba Ugrik, the air operations chief of the host air base of Kecskemét told us that the Swedish squadron is taking part in the exercise with three two-seat and three single-seat aircraft, 12 pilots, two plans officers and 23 technicians.

They arrived from Satenas Air Base where the Hungarian pilots receive their conversion training for Gripen. Therefore, the current flying event is important for the Swedish partners too, as they now can see how the Hungarian pilots can fly the Jas-39 after finishing their conversion training program in Sweden.

According to schedule, the pilots of the two squadrons are to take off 33-35 times during the exercise, mainly to practice defensive counter air (DCA) and offensive counter air (OCA) operations in one-on-one and two-on-one dogfights. In all instances they fly in mixed formations, and the Hungarian pilots are going to have an opportunity to “get the hang of" the guests’ combat maneuvers in the air, sitting on the rear seat of the two-seaters.

According to Lt.-Col. Ugrik, each flight is different, just like the pilots’ flying styles. They can always learn something new from each other, for example the take-off speed of the aircraft or the techniques used to keep the best turning speed.

Maj. Richard Carlqvist, the commander of the F7 squadron also pointed to the importance of the exchange of experiences during the joint training exercise. He stressed that the Hungarian pilots are seasoned airmen who have already demonstrated their high standards in Satenas. During the conversion training program, however, they were mainly practicing air-to-air combat, so in the future they have to put more emphasis on conducting air-to-ground combat and reconnaissance missions. This means that they need to spend a lot of time in the air.

Photo: Tünde Rácz

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