In a significant step forward for Ukraine's defense capabilities, the first batch of Ukrainian pilots has successfully completed the F-16 training program in Arizona. Erin Hannigan, a spokesperson for the U.S. Air National Guard, confirmed this milestone in a statement to Politico on May 23. This development marks a crucial moment in the ongoing international support for Ukraine amid its conflict with Russia.

 

Ukraine is set to receive dozens of American-made fourth-generation fighter jets from several European countries, including the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, and Norway. This transfer is part of a broader effort by the international community to bolster Ukraine's aerial combat capabilities. The U.S., alongside these nations, has committed to providing the necessary training to Ukrainian pilots through a collaborative framework known as the fighter jet coalition. The specifics of the number of graduates and the exact date of their graduation were withheld by Hannigan, citing safety concerns. The pilots will continue their training in Europe, as detailed by an anonymous source cited by Politico.

 

The initial training for these pilots began last October at Morris Air National Guard Base in Tucson, Arizona, under the guidance of the Air National Guard's 162nd Wing. The comprehensive program is designed to equip Ukrainian aviators with the skills needed to operate and maintain the F-16 aircraft effectively.

In addition to the training in the U.S., other Ukrainian pilots are undergoing similar programs in Denmark. Romania has also established an F-16 training facility to contribute to this international effort.

 

Complementing the pilots' training, the Dutch Defense Ministry recently announced that the first group of ten Ukrainian military personnel has completed F-16 maintenance training in the Netherlands. This initiative ensures that Ukraine will not only have trained pilots but also the technical expertise necessary to maintain and support their new fleet of fighter jets.

 

The integration of F-16 fighter jets into Ukraine's military arsenal represents a substantial enhancement of its defense capabilities. The F-16 is known for its versatility, advanced avionics, and combat effectiveness. With these aircraft, Ukraine will be better equipped to defend its airspace and conduct various military operations.

 

The successful completion of the initial F-16 training by Ukrainian pilots underscores the ongoing international collaboration aimed at supporting Ukraine. This training, alongside the provision of advanced aircraft and maintenance skills, highlights the commitment of the U.S. and European nations to Ukraine's sovereignty and defense.

 

As the Ukrainian pilots continue their advanced training in Europe, the international community remains vigilant in its support. This collective effort is not only a testament to the solidarity with Ukraine but also a strategic move to enhance the country's defense capabilities in the face of ongoing challenges.

 

Credit: Yahoo News 2024-05-25

 

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On 5/25/2024 at 8:38 AM, Social Media said:

Complementing the pilots' training, the Dutch Defense Ministry recently announced that the first group of ten Ukrainian military personnel has completed F-16 maintenance training in the Netherlands. This initiative ensures that Ukraine will not only have trained pilots but also the technical expertise necessary to maintain and support their new fleet of fighter jets.

Wow, a whole 10 of them. One suspects they will be rather busy then. I wonder how many mechs there are in western airforces to maintain dozens of aircraft, but IMO it would be rather more than 10.

Of course it could be that it will be so long before any of them are in Ukrainian skies that the war will be over, so it won't matter.

2 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Wow, a whole 10 of them. One suspects they will be rather busy then. I wonder how many mechs there are in western airforces to maintain dozens of aircraft, but IMO it would be rather more than 10.

Of course it could be that it will be so long before any of them are in Ukrainian skies that the war will be over, so it won't matter.

What an aggressor supporting creep.........

Let's hope they are as well trained as the infantry units being sent to the front. 

22 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Of course it could be that it will be so long before any of them are in Ukrainian skies that the war will be over, so it won't matter

 

Or it could be that the 10 planes will be in Ukraine air space for such a short time that maintenance wont matter.

1 minute ago, johng said:

 

Or it could be that the 10 planes will be in Ukraine air space for such a short time that maintenance wont matter.

That had occurred to me, but I was trying to be brief in my post.

 

I suspect a repeat of the "Leopards will win the war" saga- substitute F 16 for Leopard.

Edited June 7, 20242 yr by thaibeachlovers

5 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

saga- substitute F 16 for Leopard.

Exactly  spot on.

17 minutes ago, johng said:

 

Or it could be that the 10 planes will be in Ukraine air space for such a short time that maintenance wont matter.

Another aggressor loving creep has arrived........

17 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

That had occurred to me, but I was trying to be brief in my post.

 

I suspect a repeat of the "Leopards will win the war" saga- substitute F 16 for Leopard.

Any and all pro Kremlin propaganda occurs to you by default.

Putin's decision to invade in the first place proves how dumb he really is.

 

Edited June 7, 20242 yr by Jingthing

Godspeed to the brave Ukrainian defenders against the imperialistic genocidal aggression of "Mother" f-er Russia!

Russia will be ready to shoot them down like all the others. 

Many believe that Putin was poked,prodded,provoked,goaded into the "invasion"  by NATO expansionist policy,murmurings of Ukraine joining NATO and EU   not to mention the happenings in 2014  the thousands killed in the Donbas region following it, the peoples of that region asking for protection from Kiev bombings and subsequently voting to become part of Russia.

 

Putin should have just let those people suffer at the hands of Kiev  and allow NATO to advance right  up to his western border ?

Edited June 7, 20242 yr by johng

8 minutes ago, BobBKK said:

Russia will be ready to shoot them down like all the others. 

How do you know that, more guesswork from an aggressor supporter...?   🤭

19 minutes ago, BobBKK said:

Russia will be ready to shoot them down like all the others. 

How many Russian military aircraft have Ukraine shot down so far?

10 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

How many Russian military aircraft have Ukraine shot down so far?

 It depends on who you believe. Both sides will lie, obviously, but I suspect very few.

23 minutes ago, transam said:

How do you know that, more guesswork from an aggressor supporter...?   🤭

 You don't think Russia will be ready? That's an odd thing to say - this thing is escalating towards WW3

4 minutes ago, BobBKK said:

 It depends on who you believe. Both sides will lie, obviously, but I suspect very few.

Video and image evidence of planes coming down or in a pile of debris on the ground are pretty convincing.

 

Russia 105 lost

Ukraine 75

 

 

“But often, we just don’t get the weapons systems at the time we need them — they come when they’re no longer relevant,” another senior officer said, citing the F-16 fighter jets as an example. A dozen or so F-16s are expected to be operational this summer, after basic pilot training has been completed. “Every weapon has its own right time. F-16s were needed in 2023; they won’t be right for 2024,” he said.

 

https://www.politico.eu/article/ukraine-great-risk-front-line-collapse-war-russia/

40 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

Video and image evidence of planes coming down or in a pile of debris on the ground are pretty convincing.

 

Russia 105 lost

Ukraine 75

 

 

 
Must be true then LOL  

42 minutes ago, beautifulthailand99 said:

“But often, we just don’t get the weapons systems at the time we need them — they come when they’re no longer relevant,” another senior officer said, citing the F-16 fighter jets as an example. A dozen or so F-16s are expected to be operational this summer, after basic pilot training has been completed. “Every weapon has its own right time. F-16s were needed in 2023; they won’t be right for 2024,” he said.

 

https://www.politico.eu/article/ukraine-great-risk-front-line-collapse-war-russia/

 Won't be long now UNLESS the West escalates to WW3 then it won't matter

1 minute ago, BobBKK said:

 
Must be true then LOL  

I would guess its near the mark, can you find anything to refute it?

 

In total, the Russian Air Force (VVS) has so far lost 105 aircraft, according to specialized open-source intelligence site Oryx (which only counts losses verified by visual documentation). On the Ukrainian side, losses since the start of the invasion amount to 75 combat aircraft. 

https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2024/03/12/ukraine-is-catching-up-with-russia-in-aerial-warfare_6608793_4.html#:~:text=In total%2C the Russian Air,amount to 75 combat aircraft.

1 hour ago, BobBKK said:

 You don't think Russia will be ready? That's an odd thing to say - this thing is escalating towards WW3

I never said that, I asked you a question...........🙄

WWIII, blame your chum Putin for that, the wannabe communist....

22 hours ago, Bkk Brian said:

I would guess its near the mark, can you find anything to refute it?

 

In total, the Russian Air Force (VVS) has so far lost 105 aircraft, according to specialized open-source intelligence site Oryx (which only counts losses verified by visual documentation). On the Ukrainian side, losses since the start of the invasion amount to 75 combat aircraft. 

https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2024/03/12/ukraine-is-catching-up-with-russia-in-aerial-warfare_6608793_4.html#:~:text=In total%2C the Russian Air,amount to 75 combat aircraft.

 You trust a French news source? They reported that Napoleon had won Waterloo! 

1 minute ago, BobBKK said:

 You trust a French news source? They reported that Napoleon had won Waterloo! 

Do you think  they would lie about the source Oryx?

2 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

Do you think  they would lie about the source Oryx?

Oryx is known to be a Dutch pro-Ukrainian site, and you know it. It does not report both sides equally. The truth is we don't know, but as Russia is far superior in air warfare, I think it's way ahead:

Russia: 4,255
Ukraine 321

Source:  https://www.statista.com/statistics/1296573/russia-ukraine-military-comparison/#:~:text=Comparison of military capabilities of Russia and Ukraine 2024&text=Russia's military capabilities outnumbered those,Armed Forces possessed 321 aircraft.

Just now, BobBKK said:

Oryx is known to be a Dutch pro-Ukrainian site, and you know it. It does not report both sides equally. The truth is we don't know, but as Russia is far superior in air warfare, I think it's way ahead:

Russia: 4,255
Ukraine 321

Source:  https://www.statista.com/statistics/1296573/russia-ukraine-military-comparison/#:~:text=Comparison of military capabilities of Russia and Ukraine 2024&text=Russia's military capabilities outnumbered those,Armed Forces possessed 321 aircraft.

Wait. First you were attacking the French website with some crazy rant. Now the source.....lol

 

Yet you have nothing to disprove either credible claim. Says it all

 

1 minute ago, Bkk Brian said:

Wait. First you were attacking the French website with some crazy rant. Now the source.....lol

 

Yet you have nothing to disprove either credible claim. Says it all

 

I can see Brian that you have NO HUMOUR

Ukraine is losing fast, and you know it - the quicker, the better, so this tragedy is over, and we can get rid of the unelected Zelensky and bring peace.

2 minutes ago, BobBKK said:

I can see Brian that you have NO HUMOUR

Ukraine is losing fast, and you know it - the quicker, the better, so this tragedy is over, and we can get rid of the unelected Zelensky and bring peace.

Then after failing at discrediting the claims you make up things about my humour in stampy feet angry capitals.....

🤣

28 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

Then after failing at discrediting the claims you make up things about my humour in stampy feet angry capitals.....

🤣

Mentioning Waterloo is a joke?  Jeeze - you're not french are you LOL