Ukrainian Pilots to Receive F-16 Training in Arizona this October under US Guidance

In October, U.S. military personnel will commence training Ukrainian pilots on F-16s at Morris Air National Guard Base in Tucson, Arizona, as confirmed by the Pentagon’s spokesperson, Air Force Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder. The pilots will first undergo English instruction at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, next month to enhance their fluency to the required level for flying the planes.

This announcement marks a significant milestone in the international effort to train Ukrainian pilots on Western-supplied fifth-generation fighters. Notably, it follows President Biden’s conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Ukraine’s Independence Day, reaffirming Washington’s continued support in the fight against Moscow.

During their discussion, President Biden conveyed that the U.S. had expedited the approval for other countries to transfer their F-16s to Ukraine following the completion of the pilot training. Pentagon officials have acknowledged that it will take several years before Ukrainian pilots can operate advanced fighters in defense against Russia, a sentiment echoed by Brig. Gen. Ryder.

“This effort is focused on long-term support to Ukraine,” Ryder informed reporters. “It is not directly linked to the ongoing counteroffensive they are currently conducting.”

Ukraine has persistently sought more advanced fighter jets to protect itself from Kremlin attacks. Recently, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway pledged to provide such planes to the embattled country. To expedite the process, Washington has agreed to participate in the training program, enabling “several” Ukrainian fighter pilots and “dozens of maintainers” to resuscitate their skills.

Ryder mentioned that the training is projected to last approximately five months for experienced pilots, although it is too early to determine the exact timeline. “It will depend on each pilot’s progress and assessment,” he explained.

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