Ukrainian officers meet ANG counterparts in California visit

By 1st Lt. Patrick Bagley
California National Guard

Members of the 144th Fighter Wing of the California Air National Guard recently met with Ukrainian Air Force officers, who were visting the unit as part of the National Guard State Partnership Program. California has relationships with Ukraine and Nigeria through the program. (Photo by 1st Lt. Patrick Bagley, California National Guard)
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FRESNO, Calif., (11/30/09) - It was a brisk fall morning here, as four Ukrainian Air Force officers walked across the flight line to greet their American counterparts.

In days gone by, this might have been a scene out of a Tom Clancy novel full of international intrigue. In this era, however, we have become a nation interested in building relationships and extending a helpful hand to former satellites of the Soviet Union.

The Ukrainian officers visited the 144th Fighter Wing of the California Air National Guard here this month as part of the National Guard State Partnership Program. California has relationships with Ukraine and Nigeria through the program.

Airmen of 144th shared information and an F-16 training flight with the Ukrainian officers, who traveled more than 6,000 miles to receive expert instruction with an eye toward modernizing and streamlining Ukrainian Air Force operations. The F-16 fighters that the 144th flies are similar to Ukraine’s Russian fighters.

“The Ukrainians use fourth-generation aircraft. They are very capable,” said Lt. Gen. Serihy Onyschenko of Ukraine.

He added that the November training mission focused solely on operations, not aerial combat. “The system [Ukrainian forces] use was established during the Soviet times, but this system has been changed.” 

The Ukrainian delegation also visited Sacramento to meet Guard leaders at Joint Force Headquarters and tour the recently renovated museum at McLellan Park. The Ukrainian service members shared their love of aviation and vintage military aircraft with their American counterparts, and a friendly debate ensued about which country possesses the better aircraft.

“Flying the MiG is like strapping yourself to a rocket,” one of the Ukrainian officers said. “It is very fast.”

In addition to the training opportunities and benefits of having a partner in Eastern Europe, Maj. Gen. Dennis G. Lucas, commander of the California Air Guard, said there is a greater goal in mind for the State Partnership program with Ukraine.

“This exchange effort is aimed at getting the Ukrainians ready to integrate with the United States and European military forces so they can successfully and hopefully one day be a part of NATO,” he said.

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