Embraer and its Portuguese subsidiary OGMA have successfully completed the first scheduled 24-month maintenance check on a C-390 Millennium tactical transport aircraft operated by the Hungarian Air Force. The milestone, announced on June 23, 2026, marks the initial execution phase of a comprehensive service agreement signed earlier this year to support the European operator’s fleet.

In a press release issued Tuesday, Embraer confirmed the maintenance activities took place at OGMA’s facilities in Alverca, Portugal. The completion demonstrates the manufacturer’s localized support ecosystem for European operators of the multi-mission aircraft. Hungary currently operates two C-390 Millennium jets, having received its fully contracted fleet by late 2025.

Operational readiness and localized support

The recent maintenance event represents the practical application of a dedicated service agreement finalized between Embraer and the Hungarian Air Force on February 4, 2026. The contract leverages Embraer’s European footprint to provide ongoing logistical, technical, and maintenance support for the tactical airlift fleet.

Douglas Lobo, Vice President of Customer Support and Aftermarket Sales for Embraer Services and Support, highlighted the strategic importance of the European maintenance hub.

This maintenance event for the Hungarian Air Force’s C-390 Millennium is a significant step in strengthening our support capabilities in Europe. Working together with OGMA, we delivered a robust and efficient service that supports operational readiness and long-term customer satisfaction.

The Hungarian Air Force expressed satisfaction with the process. Brigadier General Tamás Bali PhD, Commander of the Hungarian Air Force, stated in the release that the close collaboration between the military branch, OGMA, and Embraer ensured a well-coordinated process, citing the high level of technical expertise demonstrated by the maintenance teams.

Fleet performance and specialized capabilities

Hungary became the second NATO operator of the C-390 Millennium and the first nation globally to receive all of its contracted aircraft for the type. Embraer delivered the first airframe on September 5, 2024, followed by the second on November 21, 2025.

According to reporting by AeroMorning, the first Hungarian C-390 has achieved a 99 percent mission completion rate since entering active service. The publication also noted that the Hungarian fleet is uniquely equipped with a modular roll-on/roll-off medical Intensive Care Unit (ICU), allowing the aircraft to conduct specialized medical evacuation and humanitarian missions alongside standard cargo and troop transport profiles.

AirPro News analysis

The successful completion of this 24-month check at OGMA is a critical proof of concept for Embraer’s European support strategy. As the Brazilian manufacturer secures additional C-390 orders from NATO members like the Netherlands, Austria, and the Czech Republic, demonstrating a mature, localized maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) network is essential. Relying on OGMA in Portugal prevents European operators from needing to send aircraft back to Brazil for heavy maintenance, reducing downtime and logistical friction. We view this milestone as a key selling point Embraer will likely leverage in ongoing European airlift procurement campaigns.

Sources: Embraer

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Aircraft Research and Development Unit (ARDU) hosted students and instructors from the United States Air Force (USAF) Test Pilot School at RAAF Base Williamtown in New South Wales, marking the first time in several years the American unit has deployed to Australia.

Announced by the Australian Department of Defence in a press release on June 22, 2026, the collaborative exercise utilized Pilatus PC-21 Commercial-Aircraft to facilitate knowledge exchange and explore varied testing methodologies. The visit shifts a long-standing training dynamic by bringing US personnel into the Australian operational environment to build procedural trust and tactical interoperability.

Reversing the traditional training dynamic

For decades, the RAAF has sent its pilots, mission aircrew, and engineers to the United States to complete the rigorous one-year USAF Test Pilot School program. Hosting the American contingent at RAAF Base Williamtown provides joint crews the opportunity to operate across different aircraft and environments.

The joint exercise focused on shared real-world experiences. Flight Lieutenant Mitchell Jensen, an E-7A Wedgetail test pilot with the RAAF, highlighted the practical advantages of the ongoing Partnerships.

“The relationships built during Training provide immediate, real-world benefits,” Jensen said. “Recently, I resolved a complex issue in a single day by quickly collaborating with a USAF Test Pilot School colleague whom I met during my training.”

Strengthening tactical interoperability

The deployment of the USAF Test Pilot School to Australia demonstrates a broader effort to integrate test and evaluation capabilities between the two nations. By flying the Pilatus PC-21 together, crews from both Air-Forces can align their testing methodologies and operational procedures.

Jensen noted that the relationships formed during the visit will enable the RAAF to work more closely with the USAF in the test and evaluation environment. He stated that this collaboration strengthens their ability to deliver outcomes as an integrated team.

AirPro News analysis

We view this deployment as a practical step in deepening the allied defense posture between the US and Australia. Moving test pilot collaboration from the familiar airspace of Edwards Air Force Base to the Australian operational environment forces both RAAF and USAF personnel to adapt to different airspace Regulations and procedural nuances. As both nations prepare to field advanced collaborative combat aircraft and next-generation platforms, establishing a unified approach to flight testing and evaluation will be critical to reducing development timelines.

Sources: Australian Department of Defence

This is a developing story. Information may change as official details are released.

This article summarizes reporting by The Associated Press by Josh Funk.

Four United States Coast Guard (USCG) personnel sustained injuries when their Sikorsky MH-60 Jayhawk helicopters crashed near Harbor Mountain in Sitka, Alaska, on June 22, 2026. All crew members survived the accident and were transported to a local medical facility for treatment.

The aircraft was assigned to Coast Guard Air Station Sitka and was conducting a routine training flight at the time of the crash. According to official statements from the USCG and local emergency responders, the cause of the accident remains under investigation.

Emergency response and rescue operations

At 10:07 a.m. local time (18:07 UTC), the Coast Guard Arctic District command center received an initial distress signal via a personal locator beacon (PLB). Three minutes later, the Sitka Fire Department received a disconnected 911 call. According to a statement from the City and Borough of Sitka, a dispatcher returned the call and obtained confirmation of a helicopter crash on Harbor Mountain.

Sitka Interim Fire Chief Brian McLaughlin arrived at the crash site at 10:35 a.m. local time. An ambulance carrying five rescue personnel reached the scene shortly after. By 11:00 a.m., rescue crews had transported all four USCG crew members to Mt. Edgecumbe Medical Center. The exact nature and severity of their injuries have not been officially disclosed by the Coast Guard or the hospital.

Investigation and safety protocols

The USCG has initiated a formal investigation to determine the factors leading to the crash. In a public statement, the Coast Guard noted that the cause is currently unknown, adding that a formal inquiry will examine the circumstances surrounding the event.

Another official USCG statement emphasized that the immediate priority remains the safety and well-being of the involved personnel.

AirPro News analysis

Search and rescue (SAR) training in the Alaskan theater presents inherent environmental and operational challenges. The loss or severe damage of a Sikorsky MH-60 Jayhawk represents a reduction in available SAR assets for the Coast Guard Arctic District, a region heavily reliant on rotary-wing capabilities for maritime and inland emergency response. We anticipate the forthcoming investigation will follow standard military aviation protocols, examining weather conditions, mechanical performance, and flight data to determine the sequence of events.

Sources: The Associated Press