CaliToday (11/10/2025): Ukrainian fighter pilots are pushing the limits of Western airpower, adapting American-made F-16s to the brutal realities of high-intensity warfare against Russia. In a stunning revelation, these jets now account for nearly 80% of all Ukrainian combat sorties, turning the conflict into what one expert calls a "living laboratory" for modern air combat.
The insight comes from retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant General David A. Deptula, writing in Air & Space Forces Magazine. His analysis followed an October 6th briefing at the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, which hosted one of Ukraine’s top F-16 pilots, known by his callsign "AB." As the deputy commander of a fighter squadron credited with downing over 1,000 Russian Shahed-type drones and cruise missiles, his visit offered an unfiltered look at how the Ukrainian Air Force is evolving under fire.
"Ukraine's defense against Russian air attacks reveals a significant and massive shift in combat capability enabled by pilots like 'AB'," Deptula stated, highlighting the transformative impact of the Western aircraft.
From Soviet MiGs to a Western Workhorse
AB, who first flew Soviet-made MiG-29s long before Russia's 2014 invasion of Crimea, is now part of a small but elite group of Ukrainian pilots operating NATO-supplied F-16 Block 10 and Block 15 jets. Despite limited infrastructure and constant Russian bombardment, these aircraft have become the backbone of Ukraine's air operations. They are tasked with everything from intercepting cruise missiles and Iranian-designed Shahed/Geran drones to acting as precision-guided weapons platforms.
"The number of F-16 pilots is relatively small, but they now account for approximately 80 percent of the Ukrainian Air Force's total sorties," Deptula wrote. He called this achievement a testament to both the jet's reliability and the pilots' extraordinary skill.
While Ukraine continues to fly its aging fleets of MiG-29s and Su-27s, keeping them operational is an ever-growing challenge. "That makes it all the more essential that the West support the sustainment of their F-16 fleet," Deptula noted.
Innovation Under Fire: Pioneering New Tactics
The F-16's advantages in radar, situational awareness, and precision strike capabilities have fundamentally changed Ukraine's combat potential. Missions now span both counter-air defense and ground attack. Without contractor support or established doctrines for this specific conflict, "Ukrainian pilots and ground crews have rapidly taught themselves how to maintain, arm, and effectively employ the aircraft," the article states.
They are also pioneering new approaches to Agile Combat Employment (ACE), a U.S. Air Force concept designed to ensure operations can continue despite heavy attacks. "Ukraine's F-16 force is, in many ways, pioneering a technique the USAF calls agile combat employment, executing the concept in real-time while under continuous assault from Russia," Deptula wrote.
Operating from dispersed airfields, Ukrainian squadrons are constantly on the move to evade Russian targeting. "Ukrainian pilots have proven the real-world value of ACE better than any exercise or simulation ever could," Deptula added. Despite relentless missile strikes, "not a single one of Ukraine’s air bases has been destroyed or put out of action," the article highlights, underscoring the adaptability of the pilots and the resilience of their support crews.
The Invisible War and a Direct Appeal
AB also described the mounting challenge of Russian electronic warfare (EW). "Jamming, spoofing, and interference must be overcome on a daily basis," he said, stressing that "more effective EW systems and countermeasures" are critical to maintaining air superiority. "Victory in modern air warfare depends not only on aircraft performance but on the ability to dominate the information and electronic domains," he added.
While expressing profound gratitude for ongoing U.S. support, which he called crucial to Ukraine's defense, AB warned that more is needed. When asked what the U.S. could do to most improve their success, his answer was direct: "Unblock 70 more F-16s and many more missiles. There are a lot of targets to shoot down."
A Missed Opportunity and a Warning for the West
Deptula argues that Ukraine's experience offers critical lessons for the United States and its allies. "The Ukrainian F-16 experience is more than a story of resilience; it is a living laboratory for aerial warfare," he said, adding that its pilots are refining tactics and applying ACE principles under actual combat conditions.
He warned that U.S. policy still prevents American personnel from assisting or observing these operations on the ground. "That’s a missed opportunity to capture lessons learned in real time in one of the most dynamic air campaigns in modern history," Deptula wrote.
As Russia adapts to Ukraine's air tactics, other adversaries are watching closely. "As Russia adapts to Ukraine's tactics, so will China, North Korea, and Iran," Deptula cautioned. "Every day the U.S. hesitates to provide full and unrestricted support to Ukraine’s air efforts is another opportunity for these potential adversaries to learn how to counter Western combat capabilities."
He concluded with a clear message: "The sooner the U.S. fully commits to ensuring Ukraine's success, the stronger our own national defense posture will be."
