First group of Ukrainian pilots completes F-16 training in United State: Training to continue in Europe

Politico reports. 

According to Erin Hannigan, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Air National Guard, the Ukrainians completed training at a military base in Arizona. She called it a decisive step towards the emergence of modern fighter jets in the skies of Ukraine.

The pilots were trained at the 162nd Air National Guard Base in Tucson. The number of soldiers and the exact date of their graduation were not disclosed for security reasons.

According to Politico, the pilots are now heading to Europe for additional training.

Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Illia Yevlash said during the telethon that after completing training in the United States, Ukrainian pilots will continue training in Europe.

“Of course, the training process is not over. Now the pilots are returning to Europe and will keep on training in order to arrive in Ukraine and continue their tasks. In fact, this process is constant, unceasing, and not only pilots are being trained, but also engineers who will perform their respective tasks and share their experience with colleagues in Ukraine to effectively repel Russian air attacks,” he said.

Yevlash emphasized that even two planes will be able to perform certain tasks in the airspace and “certainly, this will be a certain reinforcement, as we are in great need of aircraft, renewal of our aircraft fleet.” He noted that Ukraine currently has Soviet aircraft that are outdated.

According to him, the F-16 fighters will be able to strengthen Ukraine's airspace in terms of patrolling and will be able to perform other tasks related to strikes on the front line.

• On May 21, the Dutch Ministry of Defense announced the completion of training for 10 Ukrainian servicemen who were trained to maintain F-16 fighter jets.

• On May 22, the Ukrainian Air Force announced that the first F-16 fighter jet maintenance specialists have begun returning to Ukraine after the training.