The first group of Ukrainian pilots completed training on F-16 fighters at a military base in the American state of Arizona. This was a decisive step towards the launch of modern American-made fighter jets in the sky of Ukraine, Babel reports.
Arizona Air National Guard spokeswoman Erin Hannigan announced the graduation of the first group of Ukrainian pilots, Politico reports.
The first group of Ukrainian pilots underwent training at the 162nd National Guard Air Base in Tucson.
Spokeswoman Erin Hannigan did not say exactly how many had already completed the training course or the exact date they would be released, out of “concern for their safety”.
Currently, pilots of the Air Force of Ukraine are heading to Europe for additional training.
The information about the graduation was also confirmed on the air of “Yediny Noviny” by the spokesman of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Major Ilya Yevlash.
He said that the pilots are now heading to Europe for additional training.
“Actually, the learning process is constant and unceasing. Not only pilots, but also engineers, are trained. And after the training, they will share their experience with their colleagues in Ukraine in order to effectively repel the enemy’s air attack”, — added Ilya Yevlash.
Ukrainian military pilots and technicians are already undergoing training in the United States of America, Britain, France, Denmark, as well as Romania.
It is also expected that Ukraine will have the first six F-16 fighters and 12 trained pilots already in the summer of 2024.
In total, Ukraine plans to receive more than 60 F-16 fighters from Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Belgium.
It is known that the first group of Ukrainian military technicians recently completed F-16 fighter maintenance training in the Netherlands.
