The REAL Truth About Ukrainian F-16 Pilot Training

In this episode two-time Moochie Award-winning military expert Justin Bronk returns for an in-depth look at what NATO-supplied gear is working for the Ukrainian military and what isn't, including details of how supplying F-16s isn't a "silver bullet" because veteran Ukrainian Air Force pilots were trained using the procedures and methods of the former Soviet Union, which makes learning how to effectively fight the Viper a big challenge.

And as an audiobook here:

[InHellBaby]

First time someone really explained why it takes so long to get F16s in theater.

[darrylwalker]

Ward, one of the many things I like about this channel is your ability to get the right people, ask them the right questions, and then let them speak. Clear, concise, compelling and informative. Bravo.

[roderickcampbell]

Justin is different. He is an excellent analyst and at the same time an excellent educator. One does not really follow him just for what he knows, but for what he can also explain to you. This is a really rare quality.

[ulrikschackmeyer]

Just one thing: Why on earth is Justin's golden info-nuggets NOT sought out by EVERY content creator? I learned more here about the F-16 subject than I have in half-years of watching other channels. This is ABSOLUTELY gold you make here, Ward.

[PomyMagnum]

Justin Bronk remains the absolute best person to listen to in the context of analysis in this war. Can’t stress enough that you can’t have this guy on your show enough.

[jclemme]

These days, there is nothing like listening to people who know what they are talking about. I grew up in different times, so this is an actual relief.

[williammrdeza]

It is refreshing to hear from Justin once again. He always has a no B.S. perspective on strategic issues and did not disappoint on this topic. Thanks Ward for bringing him back for an update and detailed description regarding the state of the Ukrainian conflict. Your last question and his answer to it (basically why does Ukraine matter to the U.S.?) was the icing on the cake.

[mikedevlin]

Justin Bronk isn’t only intelligent, well informed and analytical, he is eloquent and convincing in his presentation…. Just about 180 degrees the opposite of all but a few politicians on both sides of the Atlantic

Great show as always 👌🏻

[phillipsertich]

It has been too long welcome back Justin Brock! I was just thinking the other day that it’s been too long since we have seen him. My favorite episodes ironically enough have him in them. You need to give him the lifetime Moochie award winning to hell with two time he’s all time the mooch master all kidding aside, we are lucky that a guy like that takes the time to come onto the YouTube channel and explain the knowledge she has to the rest of us. Thank you so much for making episodes like this. My wife and son are Ukrainian and came here after the war started we have many family members still in Ukraine, it’s just the news for us. It’s our life so I say again thank you so much for doing what you do on this channel mooch and for having people like Justin on your show.Thank you.

[goddepersonno]

I am simple man
I see Justin Bronk. I watch interview. I like video.

[luisvarela]

Holy smokes, excellent analysis, great conversation. No wonder the Double Moochie.

[SpookyEng]

Any conversation with Justin Bronk is always worth a listen.

[life]

Completely agree with the Training analysis.
I served in an european army as a conscript on the LEO2 tank for2 years, 4 months was basic training to learn to operate the machine, rest was operational training based in Germany.
Last 30 years I was trained on 7 different airline aircraft types during my flying career, 8 weeks ground and simulator training followed by line (operational) training.
Point is just like Justin explained, it is far easier to 'mold' newbies than experienced crew .
It is pointless to train someone on just the machine, the ability to operate it in real life/war demands a lot of training, add to that the language barriers etc.

[pnzrldr]

US Army Armor leader here. I challenge the assertion at 21:00 - being a tank platoon leader in maneuver combat is actually just as tough to master as modern air BVR. As you maneuver, the change in relative range rings happens more slowly, but the change in pertinent sight lines changes much more quickly. This is compounded by the fact that the armor platoon leader is not 'flying' his platform. He (or she) is the vehicle commander, and must lead a four-person crew to move, scan, target and shoot, while simultaneously, directing the other 3 vehicles. This means thinking about your own vehicles' tactical movement and cover, your wingman, and your other section - when moving just a few meters can change your sightline from 20m to 4000m, exposing you to observation and fire - or exposing your other platoon elements. Toss in the added complexities of physical terrain, obstacles and mines, LOS comms, indirect fires (yours and theirs), smart weapons and countermeasures, and now drones as welll. ACM and your Fox-2/guns fight happens faster, but only marginally, and while tankers don't deal with G-forces, fighter pilots don't deal with the shock and vibe of cross country maneuver, at speed, in heavy vehicles. Really good tank PLs don't grow on trees - the benefit that tankers have, at least in the US, is that our young leaders have experienced NCOs to learn from, as well as experienced officers. I suspect this duality contributes to the success of our Army in growing solid, effective armor officers with less overall investment than the Air Force and Navy spend on training fighter pilots. Not that military pilots don't also learn from their NCOs, but I suspect (without direct experience) that most of the tactics and combat application learning they get is from more senior officers or peers.

[enriquekramer]

As usual, Justin is absolutely clear in explaining and conceptualizing what is going on and in what the connections between different military and geopolitical elements are. BRILLIANT!

[antibulletdodger]

I could listen to Justin Bronk for hours. Great at explaining.

[wyskass]

Ward's comment about switching from football to hockey is a very insightful analogy for the challenges involved in pilot transitions. Both about putting objects into the opposing territory, and both pro athletes with 2 arms and legs, but everything else is different. Commonly misunderstood.

[callenclarke]

One of the best pieces you've posted on this topic. Justin Bronk has really mastered delivering a clear rational breakdown of policy and strategy. Very well done indeed, Ward. Excellent job.

[bonose]

My training unit got the first former East German MiG 29 IP to become an IP in the T38 in the US. He was older and English was not strong. We worked our butts off with him but he could not get halfway through the upgrade before he was pulled out by the Germans. It was obvious he was NOT going to make it through.
This analysis of former Soviet tactics and equipment is on point. I like this Brit, he’s sharp. Thx Ward.

[tim]

Interesting article I recently read commented the the air-launched SDB version had remained fairly effective, unlike the the ground launched version. Theory was the operational mode made the difference. The SDB was being launched from low altitude at targets near the front lines, where the GLSDB was fired up to high altitudes against deep strategic targets. The russians can see the GLSDB launch and have effective jamming around the strategic targets.