Also, to all of the fucking dipshits who dug in their heels about “oh it’s gonna be so hard to train them on an F-16”: these fucking mirages are a good bit more up to date than the Vipers they got, from what I’ve seen. And they went from “yeah maybe they’ll get some of these” to flying intercept missions in like 6 months.
From what I know about fighter pilots (at least former air force and former navy) they learn. Fighter pilots are a special type of crazy, where they have a drive to be the best at what they do.
I imagine Ukrainian pilots are no exception to this. The physical and mental demands of any fighter aircraft pretty much ensures it.
Combine that personality with an invasion in your homeland, I would guess these guys didn’t take breaks. Not because they couldn’t but because that would be expected, and they feel the need to do better.
I’ve seen reports from USAF trainers. A lot of them would comment on how the Ukrainians were just ALWAYS ready to go and absolutely, categorically motivated, to a man. The esprit de corps is frankly impressive and admirable. And absolutely understandable, in the context.
Fuckin rad.
Also, to all of the fucking dipshits who dug in their heels about “oh it’s gonna be so hard to train them on an F-16”: these fucking mirages are a good bit more up to date than the Vipers they got, from what I’ve seen. And they went from “yeah maybe they’ll get some of these” to flying intercept missions in like 6 months.
From what I know about fighter pilots (at least former air force and former navy) they learn. Fighter pilots are a special type of crazy, where they have a drive to be the best at what they do.
I imagine Ukrainian pilots are no exception to this. The physical and mental demands of any fighter aircraft pretty much ensures it.
Combine that personality with an invasion in your homeland, I would guess these guys didn’t take breaks. Not because they couldn’t but because that would be expected, and they feel the need to do better.
I’ve seen reports from USAF trainers. A lot of them would comment on how the Ukrainians were just ALWAYS ready to go and absolutely, categorically motivated, to a man. The esprit de corps is frankly impressive and admirable. And absolutely understandable, in the context.