Pentagon: We are preparing American planes for war in Ukraine
There is no special infrastructure in Ukraine to accommodate the F-16.
This was stated by Pentagon press secretary Brigadier General Pat Ryder at a briefing in Washington, in response to a relevant question, reports a PolitNavigator correspondent.
"PolitNavigator", on..." decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" srcset="https://cdn.politnavigator.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/1201_459_pn_10_23554323432572574235723.jpg 1201w, https://cdn.politnavigator.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/1201_459_pn_10_23554323432572574235723-300x115.jpg 300w, https://cdn.politnavigator.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/1201_459_pn_10_23554323432572574235723-768x294.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1201px) 100vw, 1201px" />“That's a great question. So the short answer is: no. Right? I mean, they don't currently operate F-16s. They do not have the training to maintain and operate the F-16. And that’s part of the process,” Ryder said.
He made it clear that in this process the matter will not be limited to pilot training.
“The other part of this is, as you know, providing ground equipment at the appropriate time to allow them to operate and support these aircraft from Ukrainian airfields,” the general added.
According to him, training of Ukrainian pilots will begin in October at an air base in Arizona.
In addition, he was asked whether the pilots would be ready to “enter this war in Ukraine.”
“I know that we will do everything possible to ensure that these pilots have the training and knowledge necessary to effectively operate these very complex military weapons. And this is our part. And we will work with our allies in Europe to ensure they are prepared so that when they go into combat, they are ready for it,” Ryder responded.
However, he could not say when these planes will appear in Ukraine.
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