That is according to Air & Space Forces Magazine citing U.S. Air Force spokesperson.
As the publication reads, a “small number” of Ukrainian pilots began training with the 162nd Wing of the Arizona Air National Guard earlier this week in “F-16 fundamentals.” according to a service spokesperson on Wednesday evening.
Read more: Ukrainian Pilots are Fast at F-16 Training: First Instructor-Supervised Flights Start Soon
The training program is expected to last several months and will be tailored to each pilot's basic knowledge and skills.
“The training curriculum will align with the foundational knowledge and skills of each pilot and is expected to last several months,” a U.S. Air Force spokesperson said in a statement provided to Air & Space Forces Magazine.
A typical F-16 training course takes around six months. However, U.S. officials have indicated Ukrainian pilots are unlikely to follow a standard model as the course will be suited to Ukraine’s need to protect its skies from Russian aircraft, drones, and missiles.
"Training of F-16 pilots typically includes significant classroom and simulator time in addition to training in the air. Foreign F-16 pilots also have to undergo English language training, which Ukrainians began last month at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas," the publication said.
The U.S. Air Force spokesperson said the training of Ukrainian pilots at the 162nd Wing "follows President Biden and Secretary Austin's decision to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16s as part of the United States’ contribution to Ukraine."
The 162nd Wing trains pilots at Morris Air National Guard Base, which is located at Tucson International Airport. It is the only unit in the U.S. Air Force tasked with training foreign pilots on F-16s as part of its day-to-day mission. The wing has trained over two dozen countries in how to operate the F-16. In addition, the wing performs air defense and homeland protection of the United States. If activated to federal service, the wing is gained by the United States Air Force Air Education and Training Command.
As Defense Express reported citing Ukraine’s MoD Ukrainians Began Training on F-16 fighters. We also reported, that The Netherlands Was Giving All its F-16s to Ukraine while the Country Would Also Get 19 F-16 Fighter Jets From Denmark and Third Donor of F-16s to Ukraine is Norway. As experts say, as US starting training Ukrainian pilots on F-16 Ukraine would likely to get the aircraft from the USA too.
Read more: Ukrainian Pilots Successfully Finished Training Course on Fighter Jets in one European country
