Posted on 08/25/2023 3:27:15 PM PDT by bimboeruption
The Pentagon announced Thursday it is ready to train Ukrainian aircrew to fly F-16 fighter jets at a National Guard base in Arizona as soon as this October.
The U.S. last week cleared other nations to donate the American made jets to Ukraine – despite initial fears the move may antagonize Moscow.
Several countries including the Netherlands and Denmark quickly responded and the Pentagon has indicated it will train the aircrew to enable the Ukraine to take the sophisticated warplanes into combat with Russia.
NATO-member Norway has also indicated it is ready to join the program.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken flagged the United States’ intentions to approve the third-party transfer of the U.S.-made F-16s to Ukraine in a letter to his European counterparts.
Now that has been followed by a commitment to training Ukraine forces in U.S. air space using donated local facilities and trainers.
“The training provided by the United States will complement the F-16 pilot and maintenance training that’s already underway in Europe and further deepens our support of the F-16 training coalition led by Denmark and the Netherlands,” Ryder said. “Moving forward we will remain in close consultation with the Danes, the Dutch and other allies to ensure U.S. training complements the broader coalition training efforts.”
Ryder added by announcing the training, the U.S. is preempting any training capacity constraints in Denmark and the Netherlands’ training pipeline to ensure the aircraft are fielded to Ukraine as quickly as possible.
(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...
Why would they be willing targets for the Russians? Russian gunners get enough target practice as it is.
By the time training is finished and the pilots go home, home will be Russia.
“How many of these pilots and other trainees will return to Ukraine? Why would they be willing targets for the Russians?”
Some people are patriots, and are willing to put it all on the line for their country. Which seems to be a conviction with which you are wholly unfamiliar.
Remember when this administration said fighter jets would be crossing a line, the neutrality line. I guess that was before we did it by blowing up the pipelines.
Now that line is water over the dam. WWIII.
You beat me to it. I was going to ask how many of them will disappear during their training.
Just returned from a very successful and important visit to Ukraine with Senators Blumenthal and Warren. Eighteen months after the invasion, Ukraine is on the offense recapturing land that was illegally seized by Russia, NATO has increased in size, the Russian economy is in decline, the Russian military is being decimated, and Putin is facing an international arrest warrant for war crimes involving children.
It is imperative that America continues to support Ukraine's military. Specifically, the need for long range artillery - ATACMS - is urgent. America should also take over the F-16 transfer program to speed things up.
2:03 PM · Aug 25, 2023
Nice to broadcast these plans to the world. I’m sure Russia is not paying attention.
Get off it Pansy...you may as well just wear the jacket and baseball cap with your owners names on them...just like NASCAR ya know...
Anyone know about how long it takes to train a F-16 pilot? I imagine language barriers would cost time too.
Gawd, the American military is getting dumber every day. We have no business getting involved with that war, and to this level especially. I think folks may be right, we might not make it to the next election....
So, ought-six, you can tell I hate America from the statement I made about a Third World Crap Hole?
News Flash! I love this country. My husband, father, father-in-law, grandfathers, uncles and cousins fought for America. 18 of my ancestors fought in, or financially supported the Revolutionary War.
My love is deep and never-ending.
America is worth fighting for.
Says some poontang on his couch behind a keyboard.
Go volunteer Neocon trash.
When this stupid plan was approved, the pilots (who are already trained as Ukraine Air Force jet pilots) were supposed to be trained and flying over Ukraine by now. That was somewhere past "ambitious schedule" and a lot closer to "full on lie".
Won't be until next year and they won't fly near the types of missions that would need to in order to make a difference.
Quit questioning others patriotism - shithole apologist. Especially long term FReepers... while your lips are sewn to the asses of Biden, Soros and Schwabb.
You and your mealy-mouthed posts.
Under optimal circumstances - with full and direct parts/logistics/support, you will never see more than HALF a squadron of foreign F-16s operational on a good day.
Ask anyone who's tried it.
It started with aid...then advisors...then troops to protect the advisors...then troops to protect the troops and so on.
But weren't F-16s a no go for putin? Weren't they a trigger for nukes?
“If need be, I’ll take up arms against you and Lindsey Graham.”
Sounds like a threat.
“America is worth fighting for.”
It is indeed.
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