January 6
Interesting situation. Fast-tracking F-16 training gets pilots flying sooner but skips important stuff like advanced combat tactics, using the jet’s weapons systems, and handling emergencies. The F-16 is a whole different beast compared to something like the P-51 Mustang from WWII. The P-51 was simple—fly, aim, and shoot—while the F-16 is packed with high-tech gadgets like radars, guided missiles, and electronic warfare systems that take way more time to learn.
Now, about the A-10—it’s definitely simpler than the F-16 in some ways. It’s slower, tougher, and built for ground attack, which Ukraine really needs right now. Plus, it’s a bit more forgiving for new pilots. But it can’t do everything the F-16 can, like air-to-air combat. So, I would guess, it’s about on what Ukraine’s priorities are—quick ground support or long-term air superiority.
2 replies
January 6
▶ Raf
Looks to be coming to Baptism by fire.
January 6
My experience is that the military can order language training, with a learn this or else, message, in immersive schools with all the labs, headsets and good teachers, and take youngsters who have never learnt another language and make them fluent, speaking and writing in six weeks.
Same method does not work with civilians as the “or else” part is less frightening.
Intelligence Corps used to be good at it.
So I suspect the problem is complicated, or over complicated systems, rather than language.
January 6
How many months was originally required for F16 training in the Ukrainian Air Force, four?
I guess it really doesn’t matter. They got the planes for free. We should have sent them a bunch of Stearman. The outcome will still be the same.
1 reply
January 6
▶ Raf
It would be helpful if we knew the intended mission they want to use the Viper for. It might just be an airborne platform to launch long range munitions and therefore additional training for air to air combat can come later. They are a pretty savvy bunch, I doubt they will squander lives and equipment.
January 6
The F-16 is a modern multi-role fighter, so yes, it is complex. It is also designed for english-speaking crews. Just my opinion, but this aircraft is probably the best option for Ukraine. They will deal with the complexity and will probably end up teaching us new tactics for it’s employment. The Viper is a lethal air-to-mud bomb dropper as well as a lethal air-to-air fighter. It has an awesome radar and is capable of carrying a wide variety of weapons. Mastering the aircraft and tactics to make it an effective fighter for this conflict is the difficult task ahead for the Ukrainians, but judging by their past accomplishments, it will happen.
January 6
Ft. Ord had the US Military language school. And yes, my understanding was students totally dumped into a new language 24 hrs a day and in very short order became proficient. A very disciplined school though.
January 6
Ukraine has no air cover of any sort. Ukraine has now suffered 600,000+ dead soldiers, among them pilots with several of the original old F-16’s lost. Ukraine has lost the war, US has lost virtually all its credibility, violating multiple peace treaties the US had signed and agreed to, and Russia now has a superior army, superior IRS, superior fire power, and has defeated all US/NATO technology. These F-16’s cannot be based in Ukraine. They can only be based outside of Ukraine making every potential sortie a legal case for Russian attack on those NATO bases these 40 year old, worn out, outdated airplanes are launched from. Any F-16 sortie is immediately known by Russia and ends up being aerial cannon fodder. The only use for these airplanes is launching nuclear weapons. The only country to ever nuke anther country is the US. The only country threatening to use a nuke is the US. F-35’s only have 30% daily operational readiness at $300 millions a copy. We are a global Mike Tyson, flabby, old, not in shape, living in an 80 year old WWII past believing we are the only indispensable superpower picking fights with anyone…trying to demonstrate global hegemony. And I am sick and tired of funding global carnage led by morally, ethically, politically, bankrupt politicians from essentially a uniparty that lies to all of us via an equally complicit press, that it’s our global way or the highway of so-called diplomacy. This aviation news that Ukraine can shorten training on old 4th gen F-16’s is a clear demonstration we don’t care about Ukraine, it’s pilots, while opening the door to global nuclear war, which will annihilate us all. For what? Our military is tapped out, our ability to produce has been gone a long time . We are lying to our young people we have superior military capability. Plus, we are financially bankrupt with no way to support logistics required for all these wars, let alone fix our equally worn out infrastructure. What could possibly go wrong in sending more old US airplanes into another battle fought by inexperienced people against a demonstrated superior military, led by corrupt, NAZI leadership, that is currently in power via martial law, paid for by you and me… with no opportunity for discussion or debate? That’s democracy? NO! That’s BRAVO SIERRA at best!
3 replies
January 6
▶ tommy
Good for you, Tommy. Thanks again for your wise and inciteful comments. Here’s your cookie.
January 6
▶ Love2fly
OK, feel better now? and your solution is…
January 6
That was right on Love2fly! Suspect you’re a pilot or former pilot like me. Also suspect you must be listening to some of the same news feeds I listen to and not buying into the Bravo Sierra (as you put it) fomented by the MSM and our government patsies. Refreshing to know someone else has a handle on reality!
January 6
Hummm. How much money did the new Ussr has been paying to these some commentators?
January 6
First I am all for supporting Ukraine. I will not support American boots on the ground in Ukraine, that’s Europe’s responsibility. So they got F16’s and I understand that they need strength in the air.
So the country’s that sent F16’s need to keep a close eye F16 wins & losses. If they are acceptable keep supplying them with what they
need. If F16’s are dropping out of the sky like they are being flown by the US Army then it’s time suppliers pull in the reigns.
January 7
What an excellent set of viewpoints. A few that need to be mitigated. Heres another:
- most of the F-16 comments are based on the premise that they will be dogfighting Russian fighters. NOT! Ground attack? NOT.
- the mission is to keep the Russians away from the front lines. Thats “stand off, shoot and scoot” . Perhaps avoiding the odd ground to air missile …incoming.
- F16 radars can look way further than any Russian MIG or Sukhoi fighter and its armaments can shoot at a Russian something that can’t see you to shoot back. I’m pretty sure the Ukrainian Airforce can handle that mission. Yes/No?
- Ukraine gave up its nukes for peace and sovereignty. Its actually in writing! A Putin trick F$€k? Yup!
- Ukraine purged it’s political Putin allies from government. A revolution of sorts, or perhaps a “Jan 6” that was actually justified and successful. Good on them. Its not like Western politicians are saints(unfortunately)
- I like the idea of supplying Stearman aircraft to confront the Russian threat of trojan RC AN2’s
- Ukrainians are clever and innovative. Don’t underestimate them. Look at them take out tanks with a $1000 or less drone. Did you see that coming? I didn’t but I’m certainly impressed.
- Are the Ukrainians better or worse off with F-16’s pulled out of the desert or others about to go to the desert? Don’t take too long to answer!
- Given the pilots are Ukrainians, who cares if their training is shortened? Whats it to any of us? Get your popcorn and watch with a glass full.
- Additional boots on the ground must be strictly European. Absolutely!
- Ignore Putin, let him have his way with Ukraine, why should we care? Whoa…Time to climb out of your hole and study some history. Foreign affairs requires intelligent policy and containment is one of the effective tools. No more USSR thank you very much.
- Shut down the UN, its a distraction and a money sucking machine. What next? Create a crisis to solve a problem. Lets go back to a couple of Red phone on the president’s desk?
