Shutdown in the US will affect the training of Ukrainian F-16 pilots – Pentagon
The probable shutdown of the United States government agencies due to funding disagreements in Congress (the so-called shutdown) will have an impact on the training of Ukrainian pilots who are learning to use F-16 fighter jets.
This was reported by Deputy Spokesperson of the US Ministry of Defense Sabrina Singh.
According to her, the probable shutdown will partially affect the program of mastering F-16 fighter jets by the pilots of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as the personnel servicing these aircraft.
– Firstly, a shutdown is the worst scenario that the Ministry can face, – she said, commenting on the training of Ukrainian pilots.
A Pentagon deputy spokeswoman says that while the U.S. military continues to perform its duties during the shutdown, civilian employees, the majority of whom are being forced to go on unpaid leave.
– That is, the impact on civilian personnel who train Ukrainian pilots, such as, for example, learning English… In this sense, the impact (of the shutdown, – Ed.) is quite possible, – she explained.
Sabrina Singh says the US Department of Defense is hoping for bipartisan and bicameral agreement on bills in Congress that will help avoid a shutdown.
Previously, the Pentagon said that the pilots of the Armed Forces of Ukraine will arrive in the United States for training on F-16 fighter jets in the near future.
For Ukrainian pilots, English courses will be held first, and then a several-month flight program will begin.
Earlier, Fakty ICTV wrote that the United States Congress could not reach an agreement on the financing of the American government, in particular due to the issue of financing Ukraine.
Subsequently, The Hill publication wrote that Republicans from the House of Representatives of the Congress also took $300 million for Ukraine from the draft defense budget.
