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 pilots are actively lobbying the U.S. for F-15 and F-16 fighter jets to counter Russia's technological air superiority and protect their skies.
They argue their current aging fleet is severely outmatched, making aerial engagements "almost a suicide mission" and necessitating modern aircraft for defense.
A bipartisan U.S. bill has been proposed to train Ukrainian pilots on F-15/F-16 platforms, a move welcomed by Ukraine, which asserts its pilots are ready and capable of quick training.
While the U.S. is finalizing a new aid package with advanced air defense and artillery, it has not yet committed to providing fighter jets, having previously supported and then scrapped a fighter aircraft swap.
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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