The United States has started training Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16 aircraft in Arizona, a U.S. Air Force spokesperson said in a statement provided to Air & Space Forces Magazine.
“A ‘small number’ of Ukrainian pilots began training with the 162nd Wing of the Arizona Air National Guard earlier this week in ‘F-16 fundamentals,” according to a service spokesperson on Wednesday evening.
The training program is expected to last several months and will be tailored to each pilot’s basic knowledge and skills.
A typical F-16 training course takes around six months. However, U.S. officials have indicated Ukrainian pilots are unlikely to follow a standard model as the course will be suited to Ukraine’s need to protect its skies from Russian aircraft, drones, and missiles.
European nations are also training Ukrainian pilots in how to operate the F-16.
“Training of F-16 pilots typically includes significant classroom and simulator time in addition to training in the air. Foreign F-16 pilots also have to undergo English language training, which Ukrainians began last month at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas,” the publication said.
The U.S. Air Force spokesperson said the training of Ukrainian pilots at the 162nd Wing “follows President Biden and Secretary Austin’s decision to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16s as part of the United States’ contribution to Ukraine.”