US Agrees To Train Ukraine's F-16 Pilots as Norway Becomes Latest To Supply Jets to Kyiv

The United States has agreed to train Ukraine's F-16 pilots in Arizona as Kyiv is set to receive a supply of fighter jets from Denmark, the Netherlands, and most recently, Norway.

On Thursday, the Pentagon revealed that the scheduled training sessions will be held this fall as the Biden administration is planning to expand America's role in the fighter jet training program as Kyiv pleads for more assistance.

US To Train Ukrainian F-16 Pilots

In a statement, Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder said that the F-16 pilot training at Morris Air National Guard Base located near Tucson will be held by the Air National Guard's 162nd Wing, adding that it was planned to begin in October.

The Pentagon official added that the training would include dozens of Ukrainian maintenance personnel and at least several pilots. The latter will first undergo English language training at a different base in Texas in September. The exact number of people that will be involved in the training program has yet to be determined, as per the Washington Post.

The decision to host F-16 pilot training for Ukraine follows the Biden Administration's previous statements that U.S.-based instruction would only happen if demand exceeded the capacity of European nations that were leading the instruction program. It also reflected a conclusion that their limit would be reached sometime in the future.

Ryder said that they wanted to do everything they could to assist efforts that support Ukraine's continued fight against Russia's invasion. The Pentagon official argued that acknowledging and learning forward in order to help with the current situation is crucial for that objective.

The Pentagon's announcement of the F-16 pilot training program comes after Ukrainian officials complained that it was moving too slowly to meet Kyiv's wartime needs. Additionally, Ukraine's high-anticipated counteroffensive started two months ago but its forces are still struggling to push through enemy lines.

Ukraine's Counteroffensive Operation

The situation comes as Norway becomes the latest country to offer Ukraine a supply of F-16 jets, joining Denmark and the Netherlands, which both announced such decisions on Aug. 20, 2023. The latest development was made during Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre's visit to Kyiv on Thursday, according to Reuters.

The fighter jets have long been on Ukraine's wish list due to their destructive power and global availability. The aircraft model is equipped with a 20mm cannon and is capable of carrying bombs, rockets, and missiles.

In a statement, Støre said that his country is planning to donate several F-16 fighter jets to Kyiv, noting that they will reveal more details about the effort in the near future. Norwegian Defense Minister Bjoern Arild Gram also noted that the donation of the planes will significantly bolster Ukraine's military capabilities.

The U.S.'s Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Mark Milley, said that Ukraine's counteroffensive was met with heavy Russian reinforcements who had several months to prepare defenses, including minefields, tank ditches, and dragon's teeth tank obstacles.

Milley added that Kyiv has had partial success with its operation but argued that it has been going slower than what Ukrainian officials estimated, said Yahoo News.