First four Ukrainian pilots to complete F-16 training by summer

21 February, 2024 F-16 pilot. USA.

2024. Photo credits: 162nd Wing

In the U.S., the first four Ukrainian pilots are to complete training on U.S. F-16 fighter jets by summer. The Arizona National Guard stated this in a commentary to CNN.

The pilots started training in mid-October with the 162nd Fighter Wing in Tucson, Arizona. The Pentagon reported that the training process would take several months to complete. According to Capt.

Erin Hannigan, a spokeswoman for the Arizona National Guard, a second group of another four pilots began training in January, while a third group of four is currently going through English-language training, which is required to fly the fourth-generation US fighter jet.

F-16 fighter jet. USA, 2024. Photo credits: 162nd Wing

All of the pilots are expected to complete their training between May and August, said Hannigan, though the exact timeline depends on the program's progress.

The United States plans to train 12 Ukrainian F-16 pilots this fiscal year. "The training is going great. They're flying F-16s solo every day," a representative of the Air National Guard shared.

Funding to train up to 12 pilots remains in place despite a defense supplemental bill with funds for military aid to Ukraine that remains stalled in Congress. The training continues due to the fact that funds for training F-16 pilots were allocated earlier.

American pilots at the F-16 training center of the 162nd Fighter Wing in Tucson. USA, 2024. Photo credits: 162nd Wing

The U.S. is also training dozens of maintenance personnel, but they are still going through English language training in San Antonio, Texas.

Militarnyi previously reported that the Netherlands would supply Ukraine with an additional six F-16 fighter jets that had been withdrawn from the contract for the sale to Draken.