Poland, Denmark, and the Netherlands have each operated dozens of F-16s over many decades… that’s got to add up to a bunch of retired F-16 pilot officers over the years. Worldwide, it seems like several thousand by my rough estimate.
Even if only 1% want to fly for Ukraine, that would still come to dozens of pilots instantly available. They would be able to put much of the F-16 donation pool to use right away.
This is the thing that Ukraine has lacked so far when it comes to air power. It gets around all the reasons why developing a new cadre of pilots has taken so long.
If this works, it actually is something that will make an immediate and dramatic difference in Ukraine’s war.
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Poland, Denmark, and the Netherlands have each operated dozens of F-16s over many decades… that’s got to add up to a bunch of retired F-16 pilot officers over the years. Worldwide, it seems like several thousand by my rough estimate.
Even if only 1% want to fly for Ukraine, that would still come to dozens of pilots instantly available. They would be able to put much of the F-16 donation pool to use right away.
This is the thing that Ukraine has lacked so far when it comes to air power. It gets around all the reasons why developing a new cadre of pilots has taken so long.
If this works, it actually is something that will make an immediate and dramatic difference in Ukraine’s war.
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