A small number of Ukrainian pilots have reportedly started training on American-made F-16 fighter jets with the 162nd Wing of the Arizona Air National Guard in Tucson.
Around 10 Ukrainian pilots are learning “F-16 fundamentals” this week at Morris Air National Guard Base, according to the Air & Space Forces Magazine, which reported the pilots are likely to undergo an expedited training program and return to combat duties in early 2024.
The outlet noted that the 162nd Wing is located at the Tucson International Airport and is the only unit of the U.S. Air Force responsible for training foreign pilots on F-16s. Though pilots typically receive significant classroom and simulator instruction before training on actual jets, German-owned Politico reported earlier this month that “the course may be accelerated due to the urgent need” for the Ukrainian pilots to return to the battlefield.
It was previously confirmed that the Ukrainian pilots selected for the training program were first housed at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, where they received English-language instruction. Those considered proficient in English left Texas for Arizona by October 13.
President Joe Biden indicated the United States will provide F-16 jets to Ukraine in August when The Associated Press reported he pledged to join an international coalition seeking to equip the country with American-made jets to aid its defense against Russia’s invasion. The Biden administration has not stated when it will give Ukraine its jets but began the training process for a small number of Ukrainian pilots in September.
The number of Ukrainian pilots being trained in Arizona had not been reported, but General James Hecker, commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe, told Air & Space Forces Magazine in September that officials “think it’s going to be somewhere up to about 10 pilots.”
Additionally, the Biden administration pledged to train Ukrainians in maintenance for F-16s. Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brigadier General Patrick Ryder told the outlet “dozens” of maintainers were set to receive training in the United States. It is unclear if the maintenance training has begun or if it will occur in Arizona.
Arizona Republicans recently called for an investigation over a Phoenix city ordinance that would have allowed officials to send nearly 600 unclaimed firearms to Ukraine.
Phoenix had passed an ordinance to send 599 unclaimed firearms to Ukraine, but Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes (D) quickly determined it violated state law. City officials then scrapped the ordinance, but a collection of Republican legislators from the Arizona House and Senate are demanding an explanation for how the ordinance was created and passed without checking for conflicts with state law.
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Georgia Star News and a reporter for the Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
