This was learned when the first group of pilots completed F-16 training

The first group of Ukrainian pilots, consisting of four people, will complete the F-16 aircraft training program in the summer of 2024. CNN reported this on Tuesday, February 20.

It was indicated that the group began training to fly the F-16 in mid-October 2023. A second group of four more Ukrainian pilots began training in January. Meanwhile, a third group is now taking English courses, which are required to fly fourth-generation fighters.

All pilots are expected to complete training between May and August, although the exact schedule depends on how they progress in the program, said Erin Hannigan, a spokeswoman for the Arizona Air National Guard.

Ukrainian pilots train in Tucson, Arizona, where the Arizona Air National Guard’s 162nd Fighter Wing is based. Language training takes place in San Antonio (Texas), where the Defense Language Institute English Language Center is located.

Last summer, a coalition of countries led by Denmark began training Ukrainian pilots on US aircraft. The Netherlands, Denmark and Norway have promised to provide Ukraine with F-16 aircraft when the training program is completed. The US has also promised to approve the transfer of the aircraft once the exercise is over.

We remind you that Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte named the minimum number of F-16 for Ukraine. In total, his country has 42 such aircraft in service.

Denmark will also provide 19 fighter aircraft. The transfer of F-16s was also announced by Norway, which has about 60 aircraft.