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Veteran pilots from the US Air Force and the Royal Netherlands Air Force are flying F-16s for Ukraine due to a lack of trained Ukrainian pilots. The integration of F-16s has faced challenges, including language barriers and insufficient training.

US Air Force General James Hecker noted significant time is needed to develop pilot expertise. The use of foreign contractors has become crucial for managing complex systems like Patriot missiles and Abrams tanks. The reliance on Western specialists highlights a broader trend of employing contractors in Ukraine's military efforts.