Posted on 06/07/2024 9:06:02 AM PDT by MinorityRepublican
Ukraine is urgently pressing the US and its allies to free up seats at their F-16 training schools so Kyiv can use the dozens of warplanes gifted by NATO members, Politico reported.
But the outlet reported, citing three anonymous sources familiar with the situation, that Ukraine's Western allies cannot train all the pilots Kyiv is asking for.
Politico reported on Wednesday that Ukraine is expected to field about 20 F-16 pilots this year and is asking the US if it can train an additional 30.
Yet, the F-16 school in Tucson, Arizona, can at most accept only 12 Ukrainian trainees at a time since other countries also have contracts to train their pilots at the facility, per Politico.
"We understand they don't want to break those contracts, but they could move their American pilots to a different base for training," Sasha Ustinova, a Ukrainian lawmaker who frequently lobbies Washington for aid to Kyiv, told the outlet.
The dozen Ukrainian F-16 pilots at Tucson are still being taught to fly their fighters or were part of the first batch reported in late May to complete their training, which the National Guard is providing.
There's also a training facility in Denmark. But, per Politico, it's only taken eight Ukrainian pilots and is set to close its F-16 program in November as it switches to the F-35.
Another training program in Romania, run by Lockheed Martin and subcontractor Draken, is expected to start soon. However, it's costly, and according to Politico, it plans to take only eight Ukrainian pilots.
(Excerpt) Read more at businessinsider.com ...
“ Ukraine is urgently pressing the US and its allies to free up seats at their F-16 training schools”
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GIBS ME THOSE SEATS!
😂😂😂 I was going to suggest the same.
Japan had better numbers for pilots to fly this type of mission back in 1945...
Enough to divide in three parts.
I don't blame Ukraine. We're not serious about giving Ukraine what they need to beat Russia.
The MIC would like to see the Russo-Ukranian War to last 10 years. After all, it's good for business.
Ukraine said that they were only sending veteran fully-qualified MiG-29 pilots for F-16 training, so the training is type familiarization, not a full flight school. the Ukraines should be able to handle putting together their own school with their first batch of F-16 trained pilots.
What weapon systems would you add to make America's effort more serious?
“Who wants to ride that chrome three-wheeler?
Who wants to make that first mistake?”
-Bob Seger
Ukraine ping
Biden continues to throttle the Ukrainian war effort by limiting the Ukrainian fighter trainee intake. He agreed to let NATO allies supply warplanes only after they threatened to supply them without his permission. Even after this agreement, he is hampering the speed at which European-suppplied airframes can be deployed by holding up training efforts.
Biden isn’t senile. He’s the same devious underhanded person he’s always been. Denmark and the Netherlands forced his hand on the aircraft transfer. He’s striking back by delaying their use in combat for as long as he can.
An it's’ Not Ukraine....it's war Whore -monger Zelensky.
As of January 2023, the U.S. military had an estimated 3,500 M1A1/A2 Abrams tanks in storage.
We need to get our factories going with artillery shells.
But we're not really doing any of that.
Everyone else first, America last.
Or, just as under Obama, “leading from the rear”.
Could/should the UKEs use some of the war aid they are getting to hire experienced pilots, tank driver/gunners? Would 1000 M1 Abrams out of storage and with ammo, fuel and experienced crews make a difference? Are there experienced potential crews out there for the right price? Have the Ukes already explored this with their NATO supporters?
Heck, don’t WE send military grade contractors to do operations that we wish to not be so closely connected to?
Didn’t we in Iraq and Afghanistan, Syria, Etc? I would think some of those folks aren’t quite dead of old age yet and might want to fight for pay to keep up with Biden’s inflation.
“As of January 2023, the U.S. military had an estimated 3,500 M1A1/A2 Abrams tanks in storage.
We need to get our factories going with artillery shells.
But we’re not really doing any of that.”
Probably alot more than 3500 in storage, since like 11k have been made and less than 2500 are active in service.
There are 3 new artillery shell manufacturing plants coming on line soon.
All that and Ukraine-Russia is still needless war.
Easier to defend the territory plus with planes. The Russians won't be able to make a breakthrough.
Tell that to Putin.
Russia should focus on taking out the pilots. Screw the planes.
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