The training is expected to begin in October at the Morris Air National Guard Base in Tucson, Arizona, and will be facilitated by the Air National Guard's 162nd Wing, Ryder said on Thursday.
The US-led training is "in support of the international effort to develop and strengthen Ukraine's long-term defenses," Ryder said, as quoted by the US Defense Department.
The United States last week greenlighted sending F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine from Denmark and the Netherlands to help Kyiv fight Russia's invasion, according to reports at the time.
The Netherlands and Denmark have announced their intentions to make F-16 aircraft from their fleets available to Ukraine, the US Defense Department noted on Thursday.
"The training provided by the United States will complement the F-16 pilot and maintenance training that's already underway in Europe and further deepens our support of the F-16 training coalition led by Denmark and the Netherlands," Ryder told reporters.
"Moving forward we will remain in close consultation with the Danes, the Dutch and other allies to ensure U.S. training complements the broader coalition training efforts," he added.
In May, US President Joe Biden told his Group of Seven (G7) counterparts at the bloc’s summit in Hiroshima, Japan, that the United States would allow allies to provide American-made F-16 and other advanced fighter jets to help Ukraine fight the Russian invasion, and would also train Ukrainian pilots to use the aircraft.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, launching the largest military campaign in Europe since World War II.
Friday is day 548 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
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Source: PAP, defense.gov
