Pentagon’s Ryder: U.S. training of F-16 pilots and ground crews will complement training already underway in Europe, to ensure the aircraft are fielded to Ukraine as quickly as possible

2 comments

1. Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder to the press:

   >“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 that 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.

   >He said Ukraine will ultimately determine the number of pilots that will require the training.

   ^1 https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3504621/us-will-train-ukrainian-f-16-pilots-ground-crews/

2. US position changes all the time and sometimes one cannot even find any rational explanation for the delays and feet-dragging. I mean – tiny (as related to US) European countries have promised training and jets themselves – and no escalation from Putin! But US government still looks very reluctant. Just a few days ago there was information that they will only help in training if European countries basically fuck up/can’t cope. Now they say they will actually do it. But no fighters for Ukraine yet. What is the reasoning behind all this? Again – this cannot be escalation fear unless they are completely out of mind – the great military and nuclear superpower of DENMARK is not afraid of escalation! Is it somehow related to upcoming elections?