Dutch defence chief recalled Juice at F-16 training centre
During the opening of a training centre for F-16 pilots in Romania, the head of the Dutch Defence Ministry recalled Ukrainian ace pilot Andriy Pilshchikov.
Dutch Defence Minister Kajsa Ollongren recalled Ukrainian ace pilot Andriy Pilshchikov "Juice" in her speech during the opening of the F-16 pilot training centre in Romania. About this Kaisa Ollongren wrote in the social network X (Twitter).
During the speech I remembered the deceased Andriy Pilshchikov, a Ukrainian ace pilot with the call sign "Juice". He was a big proponent of the transition to F-16s. Thanks in part to his efforts, we are now able to train a new generation of pilots," Kaisa Ollongren wrote.
The first European F-16 Training Centre (EFTC) opened on 13 November in Romania. The training centre is designed to train Romanian and Ukrainian pilots in the F-16.
The opening took place in the presence of the US and Ukrainian ambassadors to Romania. Manufacturer Lockheed Martin was also represented.
According to Ollongren, training Ukrainian pilots and supplying F-16 aircraft to Ukraine will be an important step in Ukraine's defence against Russian aggression.