A U.S Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 555th Fighter Squadron takes flight at Aviano Air Base, Italy, October 24, 2019. The unit performs air and space control and force application roles of counterair, strategic attack, and counterland including interdiction and close-air support in support of the joint, NATO, and combined operations. [U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ericka A. Woolever]
Key Takeaways:
Ukrainian combat pilots are lobbying U.S. lawmakers for advanced fighter jets like F-15s and F-16s to overcome Russia's significant air superiority and enhance their air defense capabilities.
They argue their current aging fleet is technologically outmatched, making air-to-air combat extremely dangerous, and emphasize their readiness to quickly train on U.S. aircraft.
A bipartisan bill in the U.S. Congress proposes training Ukrainian pilots on F-15 and F-16 platforms, a move welcomed by Ukraine, though the White House's latest aid package focuses on "advanced air defense capabilities" without specifying fighter jets.
Ukraine has stepped up pleas for U.S. fighter jets, as two of the country’s top pilots left combat with Russia to lobby Washington, D.C. lawmakers.
The pilots, who go by callsigns “Juice” and “Moonfish” to protect their identities, say U.S. fighter jets would help level the technological playing field for the Ukrainian Air Force as the Russian invasion enters its fourth month.
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