Ukrainian F-16 Training could be affected by US Government Lockdown

Ukrainian pilots have arrived in the U.S. to train to fly F-16s. In the past few days, several pilots arrived at Lackland AB, Texas, to begin English language training. Maintainers would be arriving in the U.S. soon. However the timeline may be affected by the impending government shutdown. It appears highly likely as the House struggles to move forward with any bill to fund the government. 

Training for the Ukrainian pilots is scheduled to occur with the Air National Guard, which is treated more like the civilian workforce during a shutdown than Active-Duty units, according to DOD guidance. The 162nd Wing is the nation’s primary F-16 schoolhouse for foreign F-16 pilots.

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