WASHINGTON — The United States continued training Ukrainian military personnel during the second quarter of 2026, including instruction for F-16 fighter pilots and ground crews, according to a joint report from the inspectors general of the U.S. Department of Defense, Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development.
The report, released on August 13 as part of ongoing congressional oversight of U.S. activities related to Ukraine under Operation Atlantic Resolve, covers the second quarter of 2026.
F-16 Pilot and Ground Crew Training
According to the report, the United States continued training Ukrainian F-16 pilots in line with commitments coordinated through the Air Force Capability Development Coalition. The United States co-leads the coalition with Denmark and the Netherlands.
The training effort also includes Ukrainian ground personnel responsible for the operation and maintenance of the F-16 aircraft.
The broader F-16 program involves training and sustainment support from several international partners. Ukraine began receiving F-16 fighter jets in the summer of 2024, while Ukrainian pilots had already begun training on the aircraft under the previous U.S. administration.
Ukrainian pilots entering the F-16 training program have generally had previous experience operating Soviet-era aircraft, including the MiG-29 and Su-27. The training also requires specialized preparation for ground personnel responsible for maintaining and supporting the aircraft.
Training on Bradley, Stryker and HIMARS
U.S.-supported training during the reporting period was not limited to aviation.
American personnel also trained Ukrainian forces to operate, maintain and repair several U.S.-supplied weapons systems. These included Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, Stryker armored personnel carriers and HIMARS rocket systems.
The instruction covered both the use of the systems and maintenance activities needed to keep them operational.
A total of 575 Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel completed training during the second quarter of 2026. The training was conducted at military bases in Germany, Poland, Romania, Spain, Kosovo, Ukraine and the United States.
The number of personnel completing training was 29 percent lower than in the first quarter of 2026, according to the report.
U.S. F-16 Training and Sustainment Support
The current training effort follows a U.S. State Department determination in May 2025 approving a possible $310.5 million Foreign Military Sale to Ukraine for F-16 training and sustainment.
The package covers aircraft modifications and upgrades, personnel training for aircraft operation, maintenance and sustainment, spare parts, consumables, repair and return support, ground-handling equipment, software, technical documentation, studies and surveys, as well as U.S. government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support.
The U.S. government said the proposed package was intended to ensure Ukrainian pilots receive effective training and increase interoperability between Ukraine and the U.S. Air Force.
The F-16 support effort is part of the wider international coalition supporting Ukraine's transition to Western aircraft. The coalition's activities include pilot and maintainer training, sustainment support and other measures required to operate the aircraft.
Continued Training Requirement
Training Ukrainian personnel on Western military systems remains an ongoing requirement because the equipment requires specialized skills for operation, maintenance and sustainment.
The inspectors general report confirms that U.S.-supported training continued during the second quarter of 2026, covering both F-16 aviation personnel and Ukrainian forces operating ground-based U.S.-supplied systems.
The report is part of the regular oversight process for U.S. programs and operations supporting Ukraine. Under U.S. law, the Special Inspector General for Operation Atlantic Resolve is required to provide quarterly reports to Congress covering U.S.-funded programs and operations related to Ukraine.
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