The US National Guard still has enough funds to complete the training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets, even though the United States is running out of money to send additional weapons and aid to Kyiv.
Source: European Pravda, citing Associated Press (AP)
Details: Dan Hokanson, Chief of the US National Guard, said they have the resources to continue the training that has already commenced.
“If we decide to increase that [tranche] obviously we’ll need the resources to train additional pilots and ground support personnel,” the military official stressed.
The pilots’ training began in October at Morris Air National Guard Base in Tucson, Arizona.
Background:
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Earlier, reports emerged that Ukrainian pilots in the United States undergoing training on F-16 fighter jets are expected to complete their flight programme in 2024.
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At present, a group of Ukrainian pilots is continuing their flight training at an air base in Arizona.
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Before that, a small group of Ukrainian pilots who arrived in the US in September received language training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas.
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The Ukrainians initially learn the basics of F-16 operation in the classroom and on simulators and then move on to flying the actual aircraft. However, the course may be speeded up due to the necessity for Ukrainians to rejoin the war effort at home.
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In addition to the United States, Ukrainian pilots are being or will be trained in Romania, Denmark, France and the United Kingdom. Six Ukrainians completed their basic training, including English language courses, in the UK before Christmas.
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