10 Ukrainian soldiers “graduate” important training course on F-16

The Dutch Ministry of Defense announced on May 21 that 10 Ukrainian soldiers had completed a training course on maintenance of F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets in the Netherlands.

The Netherlands, a NATO and EU member state, has pledged to provide 24 US-made fourth-generation jets to Ukraine as Kiev seeks to bolster its air force. Maintenance is a necessary part of the modern but aging aircraft.

The soldiers practiced maintaining all the vital components of a fighter pilot, including the plane's oxygen system, helmets and parachutes. The training also included assembling and testing emergency survival kits. These kits, which include items such as food and medical supplies, can help a pilot survive for several days after an emergency landing.

The training course prepares soldiers for all possible risks during F-16 sorties, thereby providing better protection and peace of mind for Ukrainian pilots. The course was developed by the Flight Safety Equipment (VVU) consortium.

“F-16 pilots essentially entrust their lives to the military maintenance personnel of the aircraft. When they take off, they know that they can rely on the knowledge and skills of these people and that the aircraft will continue to operate normally,” the Dutch Ministry of Defense said.

Maintenance personnel play a vital role in determining the safety of F-16 fighter pilots. Photo: Defense News

Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren said in early May that Amsterdam plans to begin delivering F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine this fall. Denmark, Norway and Belgium have also pledged to provide Ukraine with dozens of “Kestrels.”

Together, Denmark, the Netherlands and the United States have led an international coalition formed last year to provide Kiev with F-16 fighter jets and train Ukrainian pilots.

In addition, the Netherlands is one of the initiators of the European F-16 Training Center (EFTC) in Romania. The EFTC has been provided with 11 F-16 aircraft. Several other countries have also provided some of their F-16 jets to train Ukrainian pilots.

CNN reported in February that the first group of Ukrainian pilots were expected to complete US-led training on F-16 fighter jets this summer .

Minh Duc (According to Kyiv Independent, Ukrainska Pravda)

Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/10-binh-si-ukraine-tot-nghiep-khoa-huan-luyen-quan-trong-ve-f-16-a664828.html