Photo By Maj. Jason Sanchez | U.S. Air Force Capt. Sean “Zeus” Rabeneau, a pilot with the 194th Fighter...... read more read more
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The California Air National Guard and Ukraine achieved another first during a State Partnership Program training event in September at the 144th Fighter Wing, Fresno, California.
Six Ukrainian Air Force pilots and one translator visited the 144th FW September 3-9 as part of a State Partnership Program training, which familiarizes the Ukrainian pilots with U.S. Air Force flying procedures and techniques. As part of the visit, all six Ukrainian pilots were able to experience American airpower through familiarization flights in the F-15C Eagle.
“The last time Ukrainian pilots flew in California was in the F-16 in 2005. The professionalism and the gains the Ukrainian pilots have achieved over the last 15 years is notable,” said Col. Robert Swertfager, 144th Operations Group commander and former State Partnership Program director. “I see Ukrainian Air Force leadership leading the way and increasing their interoperability with NATO,” added Swertfager.
This visit was the second part of a training program that began during Clear Sky 2018 in Ukraine. “This visit afforded our Ukrainian partners the opportunity to see how a U.S. fighter squadron operates and functions on a day to day basis,” said Lt. Col. Jonathan Burd, 194th Fighter Squadron pilot and project officer for the visit.
The visit allowed the Ukrainians to compare U.S. flying operations, especially the support and administrative functions, to their own programs and take these lessons back to Ukraine to implement into their squadrons.
“The main goal was to familiarize ourselves with the flight procedures and techniques of the Air National Guard,
and we are very thankful that our U.S. partners showed us both the theoretical and the practical part of their flying program,” said Col. Oleksandr Diakiv, Chief of the Department of Aviation, Personnel, Retraining, and Requalification for the Ukrainian Air Force. “Theory without practice is nothing, so we are very grateful to have been able to put so much theory into practice this visit. We learn so much each time we are with our CA ANG partners and it helps us grow... you make it look easy.”
The Ukrainians were surprised at the training syllabus of U.S. pilots. “You give so much more responsibility to your pilots and give them a greater level of decision making authority,” added Diakiv. “We want to bring this concept back to Ukraine.”
Col. Diakiv had the privilege of flying with U.S. Air Force Capt. Sean “Zeus” Rabeneau, a pilot with the 194th Fighter Squadron, and said observing Rabeneau’s confidence was the best part of the familiarization flight.
“I was amazed how confident he was while flying the Eagle, it was like Zeus and the jet were one,” said Diakiv.
Ukrainian Air Force pilot, Capt. Oleksii Mes, a senior pilot with the Ukrainian 144th Tactical Aviation Brigade, experienced aerial refueling during his familiarization flight, a first for any current member of the Ukrainian Air Force.
The California Air National Guard and Ukraine have enjoyed a 25-year long relationship as part of the State Partnership Program, but not until now has a Ukrainian pilot been able to witness how U.S. fighter aircraft refuel in the air.
Capt. Mes, was flown by U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Russ “Spicoli” Piggott, with the 194th Fighter Squadron, where he was able to observe the F-15C Eagle refuel twice during his flight. Mes underwent pilot training in the U.S., which made his experience unique because he could compare the flight to what he learned in pilot training, and how flying missions are accomplished in Ukraine.
“Pilot training in the U.S. teaches you how to push the envelope, but U.S. pilots max perform the
aircraft each and every time, which is amazing to witness,” said Mes. “The takeoff was awesome;
I couldn’t believe the power in an unrestricted takeoff.”
The familiarization flight allowed Capt. Mes to see the full capability of American airpower. “Mes said he couldn’t believe how low we could fly and how vast our airspace was,” said Lt. Col. Piggott. “I was able to show him the value
of a wide variety of terrain and aerial refueling in achieving air superiority.”
When asked what his favorite part of the flight was, Capt. Mes responded immediately, “High aspect Basic Fighter Maneuvers–it was amazing!”
“It’s great to see our young officers learning and working together, knowing these partnerships will last the duration of their careers,” added Swertfager. “It was a significant event to host the Ukrainian fighter pilots. They have been hosting us for the past 15 years, so we were honored to host and learn from our partners that are fighting aggression on their eastern border.”
| Date Taken: | 09.12.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 03.04.2020 12:48 |
| Story ID: | 361922 |
| Location: | FRESNO, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 871 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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