The United States has confirmed the commencement of flight training for Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets at an airbase in the state of Arizona. This was stated in a spokesperson's announcement from the U.S. Air Force, as reported by the specialized publication Air & Space Forces Magazine, according to European Pravda.
A representative of the U.S. Air Force noted that a "small number" of Ukrainian pilots began training on the "fundamentals of F-16 operation" at the 162nd Wing of the Arizona Air National Guard earlier this week.
"The training program will correspond to each pilot's basic knowledge and skills and is expected to last for several months", - added the U.S. Air Force representative.
Prior to this, a small group of Ukrainian pilots who arrived in the U.S. in September underwent language training at Lakeland Air Base in Texas.
It is expected that in Arizona, Ukrainians will initially study the basics of F-16 operation in classrooms and on simulators before progressing to actual flight training. At the same time, the course may be expedited due to the need for Ukrainian pilots to return to participate in combat operations in their homeland.
Earlier, in the U.S., it was predicted that the first Ukrainian pilots undergoing F-16 training might complete the program in three months, but they would perform combat missions later. In October, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced the establishment of several "capability coalitions" for Kyiv, including the training of Ukrainian Air Force personnel, led by the United States, Denmark, and the Netherlands. According to Austin, the first F-16s may arrive in Ukraine no earlier than the spring of 2024.