The US is shifting F-16 Training for Ukraine to younger Cadets, which could delay squadron deployment months.
According to WSJ, the United States has decided that its F-16 training program in Ukraine will be refocused on younger cadets, rather than experienced airforce members. This could potentially delay the deployment of a full squadron onto the battlefield by several month.
Ukraine urgently requires more F-16s with trained pilots in order to push Russian bombers and fighters back from the front, and to strengthen its air defenses which are struggling under Russian aerial attacks. These strikes are crippling military capabilities as well as critical civilian infrastructure including the power grid.
Unnamed US officials told WSJ that this shift in strategy was primarily due to a shortage of experienced Ukrainian pilots who have the necessary English language abilities and can be spared active duty. Some officials suggested that younger cadets may be more receptive of Western-style training.
The training program, which is ongoing since the last year, has been conducted in three locations: the Morris Air National Guard Base, Arizona, the recently-closed Danish military airbase in Skrydstrup and the newly-opened Fetesti Training Center, Romania. Twelve pilots have already completed the course. Eleven are currently flying in Ukraine.
According to a senior Pentagon official,
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