US govt shutdown could impact F-16s training for Ukrainian pilots, warns Pentagon

The Pentagon has warned that a potential government shutdown in the United States due to disagreements in Congress could pose a threat to the training of Ukrainian pilots preparing to learn how to fly American-made F-16 fighter jets. “Absolutely, there could be impacts to training,” said Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh, during a press briefing on Thursday. She explained that in the event of a shutdown, civilian trainers would likely be furloughed, putting additional pressure on their uniformed counterparts to compensate for the staff crunch. An active-duty trainer might have to assume the responsibilities of multiple roles if civilian employees are sent home during a shutdown, stretching them thin. “So, it’s definitely going to have an impact on training,” she said. US government funding expires on 30 September. The lawmakers have less than 48 hours to reach an agreement that would prevent a shutdown of non-essential services. Some House Republicans have pledged to oppose a short-term resolution that would temporarily maintain government funding unless it includes substantial spending cuts, thereby granting Congress more time to negotiate a budget deal. Singh stressed the seriousness of a shutdown, describing it as “literally the worst-case scenario for this department.” She expressed a strong desire to avoid having “to go through making painful decisions like this.” She had earlier cautioned that over one million military service members and furloughed civilian staff would not receive their pay during a shutdown. Currently, Ukrainian pilots and ground crews are undergoing language courses at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, to acquire the specialized English skills required to operate and maintain F-16s. Flight and maintenance training is slated to commence next month at Morris Air National Guard Base in Tucson, Arizona. Last month, the Netherlands and Denmark agreed to supply Ukraine with dozens of F-16s, a decision that required approval from US President Joe Biden’s administration. In August, Denmark started the training of eight Ukrainian pilots. While Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed the F-16 deal as a “breakthrough agreement”, the US officials have downplayed the fighter jet’s potential impact on the conflict. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall had cautioned that the F-16 would not be a “game changer” in Ukraine. Earlier this week, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said in a CNN interview that US aid aid to Ukraine may hit a road block if Congress fails to pass a spending bill on time. “We’ve got a little bit more funding to go, so I think we’ll be ok for the next few weeks or so. But without the supplemental request that we asked for, it will absolutely have an effect on our ability to support Ukraine well into the fall and into the winter months.” The US has thus far committed over $100 billion in aid to Ukraine since the war started in February 2022. However, there has been growing Republican scepticism about funding Ukraine. Before becoming the House Speaker in January this year, Kevin McCarthy had warned that Republicans would not write a “blank check” for Ukraine when they get back the majority. Republicans secured a narrow majority in the US House of Representatives in the 2022 midterm election.