Ukraine F-16 Update as First Pilots Complete Training

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Newsweek

Published May 24, 2024 at 11:23 PM EDT


The first round of Ukrainian pilots have completed F-16 fighter jet training at a military base in Arizona, advancing Kyiv one step closer to using the modern aircraft in its war against Russia.

Air National Guard spokesperson Erin Hannigan told Politico's Lara Seligman that the pilots had been training at the 162nd Wing of the Arizona Air National Guard in Tucson. They are now headed to Europe for additional training.

Hannigan did not provide an exact number of how many pilots graduated "out of abundance of caution for their safety." Newsweek reached out to the Air National Guard via email late Friday night for additional comment.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky repeatedly asked for F-16s to boost Kyiv's air defense capabilities before a coalition of Western allies—including Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands and Belgium—agreed to provide Ukraine with the American-made aircraft. Training programs to get Kyiv's pilots comfortable manning the jets have been conducted in partnership between France, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Romania and the U.S.

Read more: https://www.newsweek.com/ukraine-f-16-update-first-pilots-complete-training-1904709

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This is the group that trained in the U.S.

The group that had their basic training in the UK were done a couple months ago and have gone on for advanced training in France - https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143214043

Ukraine was hoping to start operating some in theater, "after Orthodox Easter" (May 5) - https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143234226

[marble falls]

1. On notice ...

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[paleotn]

6. Opens up a new range of capabilities.

Not necessarily a complete game changer but may keep the Russians from gaining air superiority over patches of the battlefield. And allow Ukraine to do close air support in certain circumstances. Something they've not been able to do since the start. Plus, they'll actually have a modern air force with modern avionics and integrated weapons systems with vastly superior capabilities then what they've had so far. Less need for "franken-systems." Western missiles heavily modified for use by Ukraine's ancient, Soviet aircraft.

[oasis]

16. "Hell's comin"

Putin has reaped the whirlwind.

[FirefighterJo]

2. The F16

Is one of the best fitgher Jets ever made. Time to kick ass ukrain! Slava ukraina!

[paleotn]

5. Yes it is. Even the hand-me-downs Ukraine is getting.

A time tested and effective airframe with relatively modern upgrades. They're a match or better than anything in Russia's inventory. Even the faux-stealth SU-57 Russia still can't build in anything remotely resembling quantity.

[FirefighterJo]

9. I know

And combined with that unique ukrain spirit..
Popcorn time I guess

[GB_RN]

3. To Borrow A Line From The Original Top Gun...

“Go get ‘him, Mav!”💥
🤘🥃

[FirefighterJo]

10. The F14

Personnally on a shared first spot with the F16. Smoke 'm when...

[GB_RN]

15. Love The F-14.

That plane had such an iconic look. Badass.

[mitch96]

4. I wonder how many "International/mercenary" pilots and ground crew will be employed by Ukraine?

I bet there is a bunch of retired F16 jocks just itch'n for a fight..
Ruskies did it in Korea and Vietnam so why not reciprocate??
m

[Talitha]

7. Fantastic, but IMO we should have given Ukraine everything they wanted right from the get-go.

[BumRushDaShow]

8. Their pilots were trained on Russian planes

that were vastly inferior and completely different from the U.S. F-16s. So they have had to basically learn how to fly all over again using our jets, plus none of the panels are in the Ukraine language or Russian, so they had to have some amount of English proficiency. Finally, there was also a need to train the maintenance staff on how to repair them and keep them in good operating order.

I know I have posted some of the videos that explained some of the issues that would need to be resolved for them to get to this point.

Here is one -

[Talitha]

11. It goes without saying that 'everything' would have included training.

[marble falls]

12. It shuts down Russians over Ukraine and it will have an effect on SUs in Russian air launching glide bombs.

[BumRushDaShow]

13. This training effort literally started over a year ago

between the planning, designation of training facilities, selection of eligible pilots and so on. So they are about done.

The one big issue here is that they are not a part of NATO nor in the EU, so everything has to be done carefully and in coordination with both our NATO allies and EU allies so as to avoid literally starting an expanded WWIII.

[JustAnotherGen]

14. This is wonderful!