The first batch of Ukrainian F-16 pilots graduated from training at the 162nd National Guard Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona after almost a year of training.
Multiple high-reliability sources confirm the core facts of this event.
How we assess confidence →Entities
Source Reports
What each source reports. "Source tone" reflects the language used by the outlet — it is not an independent verification.
The first Ukrainian pilots and ground crew trained on the US F-16 fighter aircraft have recently completed almost a year's worth of training and will soon be ready to begin combat missions against the Russian Air Force in summer.
The first batch of Ukrainian F-16 pilots have graduated from the 162nd National Guard Air Force Base in Tucson
The first batch of Ukrainian pilots graduated from the F-16 training program in Arizona
The first group of combat pilots from Ukraine has completed training on F-16 aircraft at a military base in Arizona. The pilots had been training at the 162d National Guard Air Force Base in Tucson.
The number of Ukrainian soldiers in the group was not specified citing operational security requirements.
Share This Event
Know another source?
If you've seen this event covered by another news outlet, submit it for editorial review. Approved sources improve our confidence ratings.
This event is already verified. Additional sources further strengthen the record.
Extraction metadata
Extracted: 2026-02-23T22:48:59.994Z
Source story: 33223