US to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16s in Arizona.
US to Train Ukrainian Pilots to Fly F-16 Fighter Jets
The United States is taking a significant step in supporting Ukraine’s defense against Russian forces by training Ukrainian pilots to fly U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets. This training program will commence at an Air National Guard base in October, as announced by the Pentagon on Thursday.
This initiative is part of a joint effort between the U.S. and Europe to provide Ukraine with advanced fighter jets. The announcement coincided with President Joe Biden’s conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, where they commemorated Ukraine’s Independence Day and reiterated their commitment to combat Russian aggression.
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During their conversation, President Biden assured President Zelenskyy of an expedited approval for other nations to transfer their F-16s to Ukraine once the training is completed. This commitment was confirmed by the White House in a statement.
Expressing his gratitude, President Zelenskyy took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to thank President Biden, Congress, and all Americans. He acknowledged the crucial leadership of the U.S. in rallying global support for Ukraine, stating that it has enabled their struggle and shifted the course of history towards good.
While it will take years of training to fully deploy F-16 squadrons, U.S. military officials emphasize the long-term support they are providing to Ukraine. Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon spokesman, clarified that this training program is not directly related to the ongoing counteroffensive but rather aims to enhance Ukraine’s defense capabilities in the future.
The training will be conducted at Morris Air National Guard base in Tucson, Arizona. Ukrainian pilots will first undergo English instruction at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, to ensure their fluency meets the requirements for operating the aircraft. This language training will commence next month, according to Brig. Gen. Ryder.
Ukraine has persistently sought American fighter jets to safeguard its cities and forces against Russian artillery and aviation. In recent days, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway have also pledged to supply aircraft to Ukraine. To avoid delays in bringing Ukrainian pilots up to speed, the United States has decided to join its European allies in this training program.
Brig. Gen. Ryder confirmed that the U.S. training program will accommodate several Ukrainian fighter pilots and dozens of maintenance personnel for the F-16 jets. The duration of training for experienced pilots can range around five months, covering various courses.
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