Ukrainian pilots have commenced their training on the F-16 fighter jets at a U.S. National Guard airbase in Arizona, marking a significant step in military cooperation between the United States and Ukraine. Bridget Brink, the U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, highlighted the importance of this training in a tweet, stating that “this is a fundamental part of building Ukraine’s air defense capabilities.”
A spokesperson for the National Guard stated that the 162nd Wing of the Air National Guard in Arizona has started training a small group of Ukrainian pilots on the basics of operating the F-16 aircraft. The Pentagon anticipates that this training will continue for approximately eight months.
This development is seen as a strong indicator that Kiev is close to acquiring these fighter jets, which are deemed crucial for defending its territory. The training at Morris Air National Guard Base in Arizona follows a month of English language lessons that the pilots received at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. Earlier this month, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced that the fighter jets could reach Ukraine by next spring.
Coinciding with the training announcement, the Biden administration declared a new military aid package for Ukraine, worth $150 million. This package is set to be provided from the U.S. Department of Defense’s inventories, including 49 high-mobility GMLRS rockets, ammunition for the NASAMS air defense system, TOW anti-tank missiles, Sidewinder missiles, and 155mm artillery shells. This provision has raised concerns due to the demand for these munitions in both Ukraine and Israel’s ongoing conflicts. However, the Pentagon assured that it is capable of supporting the military needs on both fronts and even a third front, referring to Taiwan if necessary.
In addition to the training and military aid, the Ukrainian Army’s Commander, Valeriy Zaluzhny, announced that he held a tripartite military meeting with the Commander of U.S. Forces in Europe, General Christopher Cavoli, and the Chief of the General Staff of the British Army, Admiral Tony Radakin. They discussed the situation on the battlefield, Ukraine’s offensive and defensive operations, the situation on the most challenging fronts, and potential plans for Russian forces. They also addressed the Ukrainian forces’ needs for ammunition, drones, and military equipment.
This meeting occurred amidst intermittent intense fighting in Avdiivka, a city in eastern Ukraine, which has been largely reduced to ruins due to Russian shelling, and its surrounding areas in the Donetsk region. The Ukrainian military reported repelling up to 15 attacks by Russian forces in Avdiivka and its vicinity in the last 24 hours. Avdiivka has been the site of Moscow’s largest offensive in the war in months, significantly reducing Ukrainian supply lines to a narrow corridor, despite the Russian forces also facing noticeable shortages in their artillery ammunition.
