US military to train Ukrainian pilots in F-16s in Arizona

Air Force Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder would go through English language training in Texas before beginning the military training.

By Charlotte Hazard

Published: August 25, 2023 5:29pm

Updated: August 25, 2023 5:31pm

The Pentagon announced that the United States military is set to begin training Ukrainian pilots on flying F-16 fighter jets at Morris Air National Guard Base in Tucson, Arizona beginning in October.

“The Department of Defense is announcing today that the United States will soon begin training Ukrainians to fly and maintain F-16 aircraft in support of the international effort to develop and strengthen Ukraine’s long-term defenses,” Air Force Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder said during a press conference Thursday.

He also said that pilots would go through English language training in Texas before beginning the military training.

Ryder added that “several pilots with dozens of maintainers” are going to participate.

President Joe Biden recently approved the transfer of F-16s from Denmark and the Netherlands to Ukraine.

He has also said the U.S. would back Ukraine “as long as it takes” for the country to get back the lost territory from Russia.