WSJ: Ukraine’s F-16 squadron faces extended timeline as US trains younger pilots
The US is shifting F-16 training for Ukraine to younger cadets, potentially delaying squadron deployment by months.
The United States has decided to refocus its F-16 training program for Ukraine on younger cadets rather than experienced air force members, a move that could potentially extend the timeline for deploying a full squadron to the battlefield by several months, according to WSJ.
Unnamed US officials told WSJ, this shift in strategy is primarily due to a lack of experienced Ukrainian pilots with the necessary English language skills who can be spared from active duty. Some officials also suggested that younger cadets might be more receptive to Western-style instruction.
The training program, which has been ongoing for the past year, has been conducted at three locations: Morris Air National Guard Base in Arizona, the recently closed Danish military air base in Skrydstrup, and the newly opened Fetești Training Center in Romania. So far, twelve pilots have completed the course, with eleven currently flying in Ukraine.
A senior Pentagon official stated,
“It is a mix. Some have been experienced pilots, and we still are receiving more experienced pilots. But there’s also those that do not have that kind of pilot training and experience.”
The decision to include more cadets in the program means that these rookies must spend a year learning basic flight skills in the UK and France before moving on to the F-16 course in Arizona and Romania. This extended timeline could push the deployment of a full F-16 squadron – consisting of 20 planes and 40 pilots – to spring or summer 2025 at the earliest, WSJ notes.
The training course has come under scrutiny following a fatal crash in August, which claimed the life of one of Ukraine’s top fighter pilots on the first day Ukraine used F-16s in combat. This incident raised questions about the adequacy of the accelerated training program.
According to WSJ, President Biden announced last month that the US would expand the number of positions in the program from 12 to 18 total in Arizona and Romania, set to take effect next year.
Related:
- Russian source claims Ukrainian F-16’s first shootdown of Russian manned aircraft, Su-34 bomber
- Ukraine receives initial batch of Dutch F-16s, more to follow in coming months
- Netherlands retires F-16 fighters, readies them for Ukraine
- Ukraine in talks for Gripen and Eurofighter jets, Defense Minister says
- Politico: US considers sending medium-range missiles to Ukraine for F-16s
- First group of Ukrainian pilots completes Alphajet aircraft training in France
- Denmark to deliver batch of F-16 aircraft to Ukraine by end of 2024 – Defense Minister
- NBC News: Zelenskyy says details of F-16 crash in Ukraine to be revealed after investigation completion
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