The REAL Truth About Ukrainian F-16 Pilot Training
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- Опубліковано 9 лют 2025
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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.
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but what i dont understand is " from former pilot and congressman (not me) should only take 2 week for training for flying the millennium falcon as well as aviation boats and from enthusiasts??? and equivalent air frame mig 29 fulcrum has about same avionics my own thought is systems missiles and bomb trouble from our side ie ammrams and jammers and gps bombs . is where Ukraine pilots problems ???
Ukrainians are smarter than the average American so I find it unlikely they can't learn to fly. Are you Russian paid?
Aloha Mooch.
I’m guessing you don’t have any control over the ads that precede your videos…….as handsome as Donny Jr. is, I will not be sending him or his Dad 5 bucks. 😂
I am however interested in a Ridge wallet!
Cheers.
@@benjaminperez7328 Don Jr.? Yeah, that's not under my control.
Russia's economy is the same size as Italy's.
Europe has 4X the population and 20X the economy as Russia.... so as they mobilize the Russian threat should be readily neutralized.
Mr Bronk emphasizes that Europe is really stepping up, but then says that the temporary pause in American aid caused an almost complete shutdown in Ukrainian training etc.... which is stunning evidence that after 2 1/2 years of war, Europe has not really begun to mobilize or take the threat seriously.
I support Ukraine, but as a Vietnam era veteran, I detest doing other people's fighting for them. The more we do for our "allies", the less they need to do for themselves.
(Btw, i read that Taiwan increased its defense spending to 2%!
Really! Only 2%! Perhaps the threat is not as great as we are told. Otherwise it should be 12% or higher!
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.
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.
These people are clowns...they are liars who pro US which means they are biased, and dont tell the actual truth, which means americans are lied to, and the truth will come out when Rissia wins or Ukraine accepts Russian terms
This guy was definitely not the right people. He's just a part of the delusional establishment that is playing Risk with other people's lives.
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.
@jclemme1
I prefer to listen to Hollywood Stars, because they are Famous
/snark
What is conveniently omitted is that Russia will likely accept pre-war borders if Ukraine & western powers accept the 2014 government. Western powers refuse to concede on the 2014 state of things.
@@stevenwiederholt7000I think Tom Cruise has more credibility than this 🤡
Know what they are talking about? These same types were telling us 2 years ago that Russia was toast. Cause unlike the West they didn't have high tech equipment, etc etc. So the Russians are fighting this war with T55's and tin shacks on tracks while the Leopards and Abramses are burnt out trophies in Moscow. All it took was one look at history and one look at a map and the outcome should have been obvious to anyone. OR as the old saying goes: KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID. Fancy kit breaks, and it's difficult or impossible to fix. But AK's and T55's just keep on going.
@@normanberg9940 Reformer detected, opinion rejected
First time someone really explained why it takes so long to get F16s in theater.
When our AF was near the acquisition of the F-16, one of the major problems was the F16 APU. The required infrastructure at each base where the aircraft would be stationed, specially trained personnel to handle hydrazine and emergency response personnel and equipment in the event of a hydrazine accident was one of the major problems that would require more time to integrate even than the integration of new weapon systems in operational unit tech team.
@@dinkoz1 The APU uses hydrazine? Well, that explains why the ground infrastructure requirements are taking so long. That stuff is insanely dangerous, even in small quantities.
Yes, explanation is good and applies to most advanced weapon systems. Major problem is that need is urgent. Ground and lives are being lost, because Russia is pushing masses and masses of troops, no matter how much of them die. For Soviet Union, now Russia, lost lives just don't matter.
He also explained it in previous interviews. E.g. you need hazard suits & training for the mechanics.
Millenium 7 did many many months ago.
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.
Because it goes straight over the heads of most mainstream demographics, and they are the ones that generate the most views and therefore ad revenue. Money and accessibility are sadly the driving factors, not a desire for truth or depth.
One more subscriber!
Because not every content creator discusses these aspects of air power and because Justin has a very heavy workload and schedule.
But yes, he's a world-class expert and provides an invaluable perspective.
For me, his greatest value is as an advisor to government and military leaders. Fingers crossed.
I agree. It makes sense after hearing it, but I wouldn’t have been able to figure this out on my own.
@@B.D.E. Military Aviation History has had him on numerous times. You just need to subscribe to better channels.
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.
100% best argument against isolation I’ve ever heard.
@@CaptainBanjo-fw4fq Bronk is a coward and a chicken hawk. If he wants military intervention then he should risk his own hide instead of talking a lot without saying anything.
@@CaptainBanjo-fw4fq Here's the snag
Most voters can't think two steps ahead .....
The reason its vital requires multiple parallel steps 4 & 5 steps ahead.
Let's be honest - The previous POTUS couldn't grasp this either - And that is deeply worrying
@@CaptainBanjo-fw4fq
Please Volunteer For Ukraine 🇺🇦
@@babboon5764
You Wanting WW3 IS Deeply Worrying
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 👌🏻
AND telegenic!!!
@@codedlogic
Justin for the next 007!
@@benjaminperez7328 He also have the looks and speech patterns to make for an excellent Young Sherlock Holmes reboot.
Lol you mean about being @@Macro-Mark?
@@Macro-Mark
Putin would know, having been a KGB stooge and all.
3 day victory that's been going on for 2 years now, how's that been working out for ya?
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.
This guy sounds like he gets all his information straight from the Ministry of Defence. It's impossible to overstate the profound stupidity of taking such claims to be even remotely credible.
_Oh, those incompetent Russians, they're only succeeding because of their human wave attacks, throwing masses of bodies armed with shovels into the maw of Ukrainian defences. They're relying on old soviet weapons cause they can't produce anything modern, and there gonna run out of ammunition one of these days!_
You have to never listen to anyone outside the western bubble to not laugh out loud at this crap.
Damn that was an impressive briefing.
He’s among the best, certainly for air warfare. You can see PerunAU for the economical/logistical analysis.
Very good assessment. Should be doing pilot recruitment from the best 18 to 24 year old Ukrainians. Apply USAF or Navy testing standards to vet the recruits and train from the ground up.
Except Justin is full of BS.
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 UA-cam 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.
I am simple man
I see Justin Bronk. I watch interview. I like video.
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.
Ukrainian pilots are very experienced, we're not talking about cherry pilots. We also don't know the extent of the training they have received - one thing is what the media has reported on and, on the other hand, the training that has actually been done.
@philosopher2king lol no they aren't. Anyone who had experience is dead.
@@OzzyBlokewhere did you source your information?
The point is that if you are too experienced in one system, its very hard to learn a totally new and forget the old. Thats why newbies are better.
Issue you're ignoring, while you're in the military training never truly ends. It's systemic. Through the whole career you're in the military. Basic training needed for qualifying to fly/operate is different entirely. Going by US standards, for example basic training can take up to one year for a new pilot, issue is this is for new pilots. Course B training takes around 4 months which happens after a pilot graduates basic. If we are assuming these men were already through basic flight training. Well it isn't without reason to believe training on F-16's for people already familiar with flying fighter aircraft is actually within reason. You have to remember when pilots go through basics training they're not normally trained on the aircraft they will be flying so much of Course B is also getting familiarized with the aircraft they're going to be trained to actually fly.
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.
I think an even more apt analogy would be American football players coming up to Canada to play in the CFL. i.e: only 3 downs, a wider field, 55 yards to centre field, slightly larger football, 12 players, movement on the line, and a larger end zone. It ends up being much more of a passing game than running. It takes a while to adjust, esp. for defensive backs
@@daleenright8869 Ya good points, I agree. I think your is more apt for the Soviet to NATO fighter role transition as the goal is the same. Ward's I think was in context of Attack pilots going to Fighters or multirole (dropping bombs to dog fighting), which is a more different game of course. Then combine doctrine, mission and equipment changes and even more difficult. Good insight on how more experienced pilots are harder to train to transition.
My 2 cents... (Strange, there is no cent symbol on my keypad. Never noticed that.)
It is much easier to fill a jar that is empty than to fill one that is already full of something that you don't want.
And Glocksters hating on 1911s & vice-versa.
It just takes training & practice. (Lots of it).
@@daleenright8869 I liked your analogy (since I'm Canadian) but it wasn't nearly extreme enough. The first Canada-USSR hockey series was incredible. The Soviets were a well-oiled machine, our NHL players were talented stars thrown together. Imagine taking one of those Russians and sticking him in the NHL. Even the language difference alone would be huge.
Sounds like canadas experience from 101/104 to the f18
Any conversation with Justin Bronk is always worth a listen.
Thanks!
Thanks for your generous support!
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.
Thank you sir
Holy smokes, excellent analysis, great conversation. No wonder the Double Moochie.
Hank you
F-16 talk starts at 14:00
Thank you
You da real MVP
Thank you!
👍
Thank you!
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.
Basically Ukraine has been yanking the boosters off and attaching the SDBs to their Su-24s & MiG-29s. They’re pretty damn good at improvising that way. 🙂
My thinking was that the SDB was not internally hardened for the stresses involved in a rocket launch. Like how the AIM-7 Sparrow was not made to be subjected to several catapult launches and arrestor cable landings.
I am disappointed, as I had such high hopes for the effect GLSDB was going to have on the battlefield. I was expecting "GMLRS v2.0".
SDGB was meant to be deployed with anti-radiation missiles in the strike. GLSDB isn't coming in as a strike package! 😊
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.
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.
The biggest difference, IMO, is our NCOs. Comparing tank platoon command to a fighter section lead is like asking whether it's harder to play quarterback or point guard. Anyplace at the top of a profession is a tough test.
.
I'm not Army Armor, I'm an old Navy NFO like Mooch. I cannot imagine an army or navy without NCOs. That is a different world. The Russian military is a different profession.
With a good crew a plt Co doesn't have to fight 9:25 his tank as much . I started out as a tanker in 1978 and switched to Infantry. Retired after 30 years
Very informative! Thank you!
He didn’t say it was the same….he said they didn’t have enough time to train OMG and that, whilst complex is simpler than a 4 ship opperation.
@@mac22011964 ????
A brit saying “It's fairly serious” Now I'm scared
😂
Exactly what I was thinking and he is biased he is just saying how it Is
Will never tell you the UA loss rate though...
We are at "stiff upper lip con two..."
@@lukewhitehouse4103Of course not, why make the Russians job easier .
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!
Very smart on military issues. Less so on the geopolitical issues. For him to say that there's no gray area in Russia's justification for the invasion is absurd.
I could listen to Justin Bronk for hours. Great at explaining.
Same. He is legit.
I listen to Justin Bronk in awe. He is so analytical in his arguments, so detailed and so matter of fact. A first class lesson in what is happening in Ukraine and what we need to do to support them. Thanks Ward!
I was starving for an update from Justin. Thanks for getting him on. It's too bad Patriot missile systems weren't discussed. I don't know if there's any more to give Ukraine, but I'd imagine that they would come in really handy during the next few months.
This guy, bronk, is a true gem in his interviews. He’s truly amazing. I’d listen to him all the time
Justin has a subtle way of communication, highlighting important facts that are not always obvious!
Well done Gentlemen great show.
It took five years in WWII of defensive attrition for the allies to build factories, design and develop weapons and ammunition, train personnel and implement successful tactics. A year later it was all over.
Generals like to fight the last war. This idea of artificiel lines we shouldn't cross was proven a great way to waste equipment and men in Korea and Vietnam. One would think we would have learned something by now.
Integrity means more than standing up to your contractual obligations. It means honoring your word.
Very intelligent comment sir
Read David Hackworth’s multiple books and papers. He made his “bones” in the RVN.
But every piece of equipment or gear lost, every munition sent, reserves, products, transport, food, and stockpiles needed to operate this monstrous machine... has to be replaced by a g'ment contractor.
Follow the money; it is the game itself.
Not really - many of the designs and factories were scaled up prior to the war in world war 2, Germany never developed a heavy bomber for example the RAF and USAF only had them because they'd started the programs before the war, thosse planned during the war didn't arrive until after world war 2, and that's world war 2 with the largest nations on the world commiting their largest industrial effort ever made.
Integrity: An attribute that does not exist in DC.
How can you explain the essence of war against Russia so convincingly? Give this guy a podium, he should be heard all over the world.
Was just thinking the other day that we haven't heard anything from Justin for a while on the channel.
“Strategically illiterate “ ouch
This is common.
At first it sounds a lot more polite then "a complete fool" but then it sinks in what the statement really implied...
@@andersjjensen that's how the british do it, masterful
Arrogant Westeners from countries that haven't won a war against a serious foe for DECADES calling Ukrainians "stategically illiterate" tells more about these clueless fools than about the people they are trying to smear. Every credible military strategist says Ukrainians will be highly desired as trainers for WESTERN armies once the war is over, as unlike the US & her allies (who frequently lose wars to goat herders with Kalashnikovs), they will have experience defeating an enemy WAY stronger than their country ever could be on paper. Our military strategists know a lot of THEORY, but we saw how accurate their predictions were when they all agreed Ukraine wouldn't last 2 weeks in a conflict with Russia.
If Ukraine loses, you will see how well Western forces fare against Russians very soon. And I doubt you will like the outcome very much. We should be grateful for the fact that we can defeat Russia without having a single Western soldier risking his life in the process (I'd rather send arms than soldiers), and help a country that has proved it wants to be part of the Western family of nations by sending troops when America asked for it in her hour of need (Afghanistan). Besides, the reason Ukraine is in trouble is because Western politicians promised to help them if they gave up their share of the Soviet nuclear arsenal, so it is the honourable thing to do to help them.
Ouch it is ..... *but very VERY true*
The US government in particular has a lot of ready access to military experience
So how the only one of the 2 Political parties which is enthusastic to help Ukraine .....
*Tied one arm behind Ukraine's back - It seems inconceivable*
As far as the counter offensive is concerned a common complaint from the Ukrainian side was insufficient training as Justin stated. But the general impression I had reading various interviews/articles was that the training didn't really factor in modern warfare conditions like drones or EW and also dramatically underestimated the amount of mines the Russians used. It also didn't help that the KA-52s were able to pick off tanks/APCs from a distance due to the lack of ATACMs being provided at the time. I'm not completely convinced more training on NATO tactics would have helped immensely.
I wonder if it's not necessarily the worst thing in the world if Ukrainian pilots don't strictly adhere to NATO doctrine/training with the F-16s because they don't have the rest of the supporting infrastructure to do so. It might be in their best interest to use their experience and knowledge to develop custom tactics. I am deeply concerned about their maintenance and vulnerability on the ground as Justin pointed out though.
More training on some nato tactics would have and will make a big improvement.
On the other hand, nato needs some new tactics to deal with the ever-changing environment.
I don't think nato even has tactics for how to fight a ground war without first establishing air superiority. Unfortunately Ukraine is being forced to do what NATO wouldn't even consider.
This. I think you are spot on with this analysis. Insane amounts of mines, laser guided Krasnodar artillery and KA-52s being able to get near enough to pick them off is also what I`ve seen and read about. No amount of NATO training or tactics will counter that. NATO armour doctrine is a combined arms effort where air assets seek to maintain air superiority keeping the likes of KA-52 out of firing range. They fly so low that they are hard to detect and intercept by fixed SAM systems alone. This and the political hesitance not giving UA the proper tools like ATACMS to hammer KA52 airfields did not help at all. NATO\US military advisors must have been pulling their hair as they must have known there was key elements missing prior to the counteroffensive.
nato has no tactics for ground attack against a superior force through massive minefields with NO air support while the other side has air superiority if not total dominance.
@@ronblack7870 Nobody has tactics that work in that situation. You have to be defensive until you can create opportunities for offensive action at certain points.
@@ronblack7870 It does, but there is a difference between a manual written in the Cold War and the training and equipment based on the manual. An example between manual and training is the Apache could always carry Stinger and Sidewinder missiles, but ask any U.S. Apache pilot and they will tell you they were never trained for air to air fighting.
Mooch and Justin are an unbeatable combination that are a pleasure to listen to. Intelligent, factual, articulate and educational.
Not surprisingly. One of our instructors said that he would rather teach a new person from 0 than train a MIG/SU pilot. Old habits, Truck vs F1 car
And little niggly things. The artificial horizon is the opposite. Always a chance of an experienced pilot forgetting that in heavy stress circumstances.
Dude, your videos are awesome, keep it real
This was one of the best discussions of the UKR war I have seen. Thanks.
sobering
Re: the difference in cockpit autonomy, it sounds similar to issues I often have in the private sector. So many people complain about being micro-managed yet when parked in a macro-managed environment, more often than not, they fail. Many, perhaps even most, are so accustomed to being micro that they really have no way to deal with the autonomy, they simply don’t know how to work without it anymore.
The other one I’ve noticed with the change from micro is that now the accountability is on them, there’s no way to finger point at the one that told them what to do.
Moving to an autonomous, objectives based, method of working is difficult for many, and downright impossible for some, they just have to go elsewhere.
"If they only had this one thing".
Yeah, the nukes we talked them out of in 1994...
They literally couldn't afford to keep them.
The pickle they're in now, looks like they couldn't afford not to.
We'd already be glowing.
they were russian nukes
@@frankrenda2519no such think as russian nukes, that’s a russian lie they belonged to the USSR…… russia’s claim to be the USSR successor state is full of lies.
Hey ward! awesome interview it’s nice to hear a conversation that’s fact based versus what people want to hear. 👍🏼
It's sobering to see a realistic analysis of the situation and the cost of the months of delay in getting the Ukrainian pilots started in training on western equipment and tactical doctrine.
They've been training for well over a year I thought.
@@LRRPFco52 Some completed a year or more of training early this year. The official US training started later than some of the other NATO members.
So then Ukraine should have honoured agreements with Russia. Equipped and trained a new NATO force, equipped with NATO weapon systems including aviation and then. broke their treaty with Russia. Instead they rushed into a conflict and have suffered grievously for it
@@lukewhitehouse4103 Putin initiated the Donbas War after Putin lost his puppet, Yanukovych in March 2014. Putin initiated the full-scale invasion in Feb 2022. There were no plans for any F-16s all these years because Ukraine had Su-27s, Su-24Ms, MiG-29s, and Su-25s.
@@lukewhitehouse4103 What? Ukraine was years away from being able to join EU or NATO. If ever. They didn't break a treaty with Russia. Russia broke the 1994 Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances in 2014, and again in 2022.
Justin is a smart and well informed man, enjoy his perspective always. Thanks Ward
One of the finest, most logical and strategic overviews that I can recall. Well done, Ward
Possibly the best global strategic analysis I've heard so far. Thanks.
Great discussion, could listen to Justin all day long. Thanks
Thanks Justin and Ward, I am so pleased that Justin mentioned, why would other trust the US if Nato and Ukraine cant?????
Ukraine isnt in NATO. I think it makes the argument that if a country expects help, they need to be a party to a defense agreement.
@@ascot4000 Ukraine made a strategic blunder by deciding to become a threat to Russia and opening their mouth about geting nukes. Noone in their right mind will allow a puppet state next door to get nukes when it's hostile to the core.
@@ascot4000 The whole point of Ukraine continuing to fight is to cause maximum casualties for both sides. US was never intending to honor it beyond sending instructors and weapons.
It would be interesting to hear Justins take on the AWACS planes from Sweden.
AWACS haven't been fairing well in this conflict, even when they're not flying over or near Ukraine. Russia has long range SAMs and BVRAAMs that will keep AWACS too far from being of much use due to curvature of the earth.
@@LRRPFco52what do you mean with "curvature of the earth"? That has been debunked a long time ago.
@@Leo_Pard_A4 Exactly what I said. If someone tells you they’ve debunked the curvature of the earth, especially in a discussion about RF wave propagation through airborne sensors, run away and fast from them.
In practice, it means that if I put my AWACS into a pattern outside of the Weapons Employment Zone of the Russian R-37 BVRAAM, I will have limited sensor reach over much of the important airspace because RF waves don’t travel through the surface of the earth that is between me and them.
This is basic Airborne Radar applied physics. You can only fly so high to extend your sensor reach, resolution, detection, and tracking ranges. Beam width gets larger and weaker the farther it extends, with less resolution. The farther away you position the flight pattern for the AWACS bird, the less you are able to see over the horizon, nullifying the whole purpose of AWACS. You also lose early detection of surface-launched weapons.
@@Leo_Pard_A4 🤣
@@LRRPFco52 There is a legitimate restriction of the curvature of the Earth. AWACS typically operates around 9000 ft, with a horizon just beyond 200 miles. And, of course, there are the waterfalls at the edge of the flat earth! (Sorry... couldn't control myself!)
Always a privilege to get an update from Justin Bronk. Thanks, Ward. For those who wonder why Ukraine doesn't simply cede territory to Russia, not only would that be a huge strategic blunder (Putin wouldn't stop there). But also, how many Americans or Britons would gladly cede a big chunk of their own country to an invader?
Americans will get that question if Putin win this war and the next few wars. He will demand Alaska (it may take 50 years, but with body doubles etc he may last that long sort of).
And it would be a green light for China to invade Taiwan.
Crimea is gone and the breakaway regions don't want to be part of Ukraine. Do they not have a right to independence and self governance?
This is like the UK just deciding they want Ireland unified and back under the crown.
Ukraine need to stop wasting men and material on people who do not want to be part of Ukraine.
@@lukewhitehouse4103I'll believe the breakaway regions are pursuing self-governance when I see Russian advisors and politicians leave the breakaway regions. They're puppets at best.
Honest question: Any hard facts to support the claim that "the breakaway regions" don't want to be part of Ukraine? (Referenda executed by Russia of-course does not count.)
The claim that the Ukraine situation is the same as the UK wanting the Republic of Ireland back is totally upside down. It would be more fitting to say that the Russian claims on Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts, and Crimea, would be like the UK claiming the Republic of Ireland back.
As long as they can use the F-16s for boosting GBAD and delivery of stand-off munitions, it's still a massive help. Expecting them to fly into hostile territory and take on enemy GBAD and air assets is completely unrealistic. As Justin said, we wouldn't even do that ourselves.
Unfortunately, the general public expects the war to over w/in a month of the F-16s becoming operational in Ukraine. No one even talks about how the F-16s that Ukraine will be getting aren't going to be close to the latest Block 70/ Viper upgrade and they won't have the latest long-range weapons either. The Russian Su-30s, 34s and 35s all outrange the F-16s with their radars and weapons and they are supported by much more frontline GBAD as well forcing Ukrainian F-16s to fly and fight low which is a big disadvantage.
@@brodieboy3
Don't be surprised when they fly if there's a friendly nation AWAC's type aircraft just across a border in friendly airspace jamming all that Russian equipment, with as heavily defended as all that airspace is where the fight is happening I can't see their plan being to just have those F16's flying around without any type of support like that, they won't have them long if they do and you can bet the people planning this know that.
@@dukecraig2402 would these be the same geniuses that were 'planning' Ukraine's failed 2023 offensive that failed miserably? Don't delude yourself that the US is backstopping everything the little comedian Zelensky decides that he wants try because he's arrogant and not a military man. Just like in 2023 - the US and the West are gonna hope for the best, but they are telling Zelensky exactly what Justing Bronk is saying which is that you've got too be really circumspect as to what you do w/ your F-16 fleet in the face of still significant Russian GBAD (that's admittedly getting attrited to some extent) and superior Russian air assets - that have longer range weapons and the advantage of being able to fly high and fast behind their lines to deliver glide bombs.
My guess is that like last year's failed offensive - Zelensky will - for political purposes - try and push the F-16s into action and hope/ expect that they'll somehow be successful in turning the tide of the war. I just don't think it's gonna happen and I think Ukraine is gonna start losing F-16s - just like they starting losing Leopard 2s and Abrams at which point the 2 sides will start making excuses and blaming each other when the simple fact is that there are just very real limits as to what F-16s can be expected to do given the current threat environment.
@@dukecraig2402 dont be surprised if Russians down those AWACs.
@@harryflashman4542 LOLOLOL! How the fck can you guys keep thinking that anyone even has the slightest military respect for Russia at this point?
MY GOD WARD, IF THERTE IS A PERSON ON THIS PLANET TO HELP MAKE SENSE OF THINGS IT IS JUSTIN !!! JUST BRILLIANT !
Thank you Mr. Carroll 🫡🇺🇸
I am glad you have sponsers, you are one of the best sources of accurate information. Edit for typo
That's laughable. He is a mouthpiece for the Military Industrial Complex. Nothing more.
sponsor
@@BBBJOT You are correct, I was sure spell check would have caught that. I am a bit dyslexic and a bad typist.
Ground news is literally a CIA project
@@Ryanboy2020 There's always an idiot in the chat and you just confirmed your status.
These interviews are one of the very few long form content on UA-cam that I watch every second of.
Dr. Justin Bronk always specific and on point.
Same issue as earlier interviews: his choice of soundscape from where to broadcast. (The booming).
I ask you to choose a better space for interviews, Dr. Bronk.
Small request, but big improvement.
Thanks for this. Great to hear informed, sober conversation amidst all the noise. Well done.
That last part - the why ukraine and what's in it for us? Is absolutely unquestionably correct. Civilization as we know it hinges on keeping Europe squared away.
Sure it's better for the US if Europe is free, but Bronk's BS blathering that all of Europe, Taiwan, Japan, the Philippines, S. Korea and Australia will ally themselves w/ Russia and China if the US doesn't agree to defend them with everything we've got is pure Horse-sh*t and insulting. Those countries - just like Ukraine - have their in own self-interest in not being gobbled up by Russia, China and/or N. Korea - or becoming vassal states to Mordor. That doesn't mean the US shouldn't help and that we don't have some self-interest in helping, but Europe, Japan, S. Korea, Australia, Taiwan, etc. all have (or should have) their own very selfish reasons for not wanting to be dominated by the evil Overlords in Russia, China, Iran and N. Korea. The US can't be more committed to wanting these countries to be free than they they do. If they are ambivalent and/or otherwise become solely reliant on the US - then they are going to fall and good riddance from my perspective.
Ukraine is not Europe's problem. Ukraine is the problem.
No it doesn't
No, it doesn't. It hinges on not pissing off peer states.
@@Max_Da_Gyou mean allowing them to do whatever they want?
One comment concerning the Chinese threat to the Indo Pacific countries.
The word trust is often talked about as though it is binary ... you either do or you don't.
However, in reality, there are many different levels when it comes to trust.
It's important to note that Japan, S. Korea, Taiwan, the Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, and India understand China's strategic intentions and want no part of it.
These countries understand, while they may not completely trust the U.S. they are far better off having the U.S. as an ally than going it alone.
I've gotta say, Ward's titles ("Deep Intel!", "REAL truth") turn me off enough that I sometimes avoid his videos, but like almost all of them this one is excellent. Justin Bronk is one of the most credible sources out there for this sort of stuff.
It's sad to see knowledgeable creators be forced to rely on tacky clickbait-y titles like that.
Has anyone considered hiring MERCENARY PILOTS to fly the F-16? I've seen videos of experienced US F-16 pilots who have already volunteered to fly F-16s for Ukraine! Why hasn't this happened already?
Cause those pilots know it'd be a suicide mission.
It's illegal in many western countries to be a mercenary.
@@ibrahimcehajic Then why did they VOLUNTEER? They must have already took that into consideration and wanted to do it anyway. Something else is preventing this from being done, and it needs to happen ASAP.
@@ibrahimcehajic Soviet sympathizer
@MD-xb5jt there is a video on yt of two packs of dogs barking mad at each other through a gate,as soon as the gate opened up both sides stopped barking and were just looking at each other, the gate closes and they start barking mad at each other again.
These are the most informative briefings available to civilians. Thanks!
Europe sees benefit from more of US defense spending than just what is spent on NATO or in Europe though. Europe benefits from the US navy patrolling the oceans all over the world for example.
Europe being expected to spend 2% on defense is asking Europe to act in its own self interest.
I didn't note the time stamp but at 1 point he did explicitly mention that Europe has been slacking for decades. Even many European politicians have come around to that realization and admitted it publicly.
@@jerseyshoredroneservices225 Its been in the interests of the US to have Europe slacking... The US wants europe to spend more on US gear, but not on EU gear.The US want Europe to defend its interests through the US, not by itself.The EU is the US biggest market and having control over it is the priority at any cost, what the United States spends by "picking up the Euro slack" is absolutely nothing compared to what benefit it brings, it's not a bug, it's a feature.
@@jerseyshoredroneservices225 If I smack you on the noise, it is hard to ignore it.
@@redwithblackstripes That would be very silly, it takes a team to do it.
@@redwithblackstripesIncorrect on all accounts, at least based on what I'm seeing. The US biggest trade partners are Mexico, Canada, China, then EU in that order.
US can't even fulfill orders for domestic military demand for high end systems fast enough, let alone EU.
That's with the US and its current 4 open fighter assembly lines and 2 additional lines in Japan and Italy for F-35, all of its missile production lines, explosives manufacturing, sensors, launch platforms, comms, etc.
4 Fighter lines:
F-35 DFW
F-16V SC
F/A-18E/F STL
F-15EX STL
Two of these lines are behind on order fulfillment, especially F-16 & F-35.
Definitely adding "strategically illiterate" to the lexicon. Great episode. After the last one I was wondering when we'd get to hear from Justin again. Sobering to hear him talk about the real costs of delaying aid to Ukraine and it saddens me that the politicians responsible will likely never feel guilt or shame associated with those decisions.
I would dispute the US public are divided over support for Ukraine, all polls show a big majority in favour. The only problem is a minority of Republican politicians who seem to be in Moscow’s pocket for whatever reason.
@@paulmcneil9971it truly is sad that, bewildering as to why, charges of treason have not been brought against some of the useful idiots the Kremlin has not only in USA but globally.
@@paulmcneil9971 Many of my US friends bought into the narrative that actual tax $ are being sent to Ukraine, instead of that money going into US industry and supplies to replace the storage/near expired equipment that is being sent to Ukraine. They only feed on Fox News and so are utterly oblivious to the reality of the situation.
@paulmcneil9971 Rs in Putin's pocket, please. The story of this war is Dems' belief Putin tilted 2016. This is a revenge war for that. Granted Ukraine deserves its freedom, but to deplete US strategic stores while still not demanding Europe get on a war footing is disloyal to the US. While Europe has clearly said they will not support us in a Taiwan and Israel defense scenario, we are expected to support a non-NATO country that's Germany's worry? A disservice to this nation, bordering on malfeasance.
By far the most informed balanced and comprehensive analyst of war in Ukraine 🇺🇦
The only major disagreement I have is the characterization that US defense isn't in NATO. The US has stationed 100,000~ soldiers in Europe. The US can shift a division from Japan to Germany with all of its equipment in a month so, while yes the US is protecting allies in the Pacific, that force still counts as a contribution towards NATO. The fastest way to sour an Americans opinion of NATO IMO is to blame the US for not doing enough for Europe while countries like Germany have spent the last thirty years refusing to contribute to the collective defense and taking every chance they had to complain about US militarism.
You make a fair point. A month can be a very long time in modern warfare though. Think Crimea/ Donbass in 2014
Meanwhile the USA does more to protect Europe than Europe does lol. And we’re also sending Ukraine billions and billions while they have an extremely corrupt government. We “the USA” have an extremely corrupt government also at the moment. So hey what can you do haha.
The last few times Germany or Japan were fully armed had led to disaster.
The two countries deliberately neutered their war making machinery to prevent a repeat.
It is practically a part of their constitution.
One side effect it had was that the US became a de facto guarantor of their safety.
Most nato countries are buying our military equipment so it works out well for employment numbers.
Not to mention that for many years, Germany (& Europe) themselves were belittling the Russian threat, warming up to Russia, and making themselves dependent on Russia oil/gas/energy.
So that makes it even more annoying when they try to superiorly finger-wag against the US on anything, when their own naivety and poor judgement has been so heavily exposed.
What did you want from woman who ruled Germany little less than Pootin Russia. And looking on her work results she collaborated with Russia and worked in interests of Russia.
As for training F-16 pilots it is easier to start with a blank slate of new pilots than to take an experienced Russian trained pilot and erase his old training and reprogram him to new tactics. Also, training the pilots is easier and quicker than training the F-16 ground crew and maintainers.
I wonder if foreign ground crews are considered foreign combatants. Especially if they're dressed in jeans and t-shirts. (Half joking.)
@@FarTooFar They are, the same with the French/British crews that are programming Storm Shadow/Scalp and US "volunteers" operating the Patriot/HIMARS
I learn more listening to Justin for just 5 minutes than reading hundreds of articles.
Always an education listening to Justin. Really enjoyed this episode.
JUSTIN'S KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING AS ALWAYS ARE OUTSTANDING.
What a fascinating chap, very switched on and upto date . Thanks to you both for sharing these insights.
Great episode. Thank you for giving us access to the knowledge and expertise of yourself and Mr Bronk.
Thank you! Seems me this conflict would benefit more from focusing on achieving air superiority through Patriot and similar systems rather than air to air.
Patriots don't work if they're constantly jammed
@@mikel1062 Incorrect. Only in Ukrainian airspace.
Yes & no. Getting long-range fires into Ukraine is vital. Single-platforms that can only be air-launched, however, are not ideal.
GBAD Is an important component of an air campaign. However, by itself it cannot create air superiority. The patriots and other systems that Ukraine has been provided so far have been about 20% of what they actually need. Even if they had the whole country covered with those systems they would still benefit greatly from an Air Force for things like CAS, SEAD and deploying JASSM, Storm Shadow, JDAM, etc.
Great update & Interview, thank you.
More people need to listen to Prof. Justin Bronk!! He gets it!!
He is full of shit.
Very interesting and informative. Justin Bronk is one of the best experts to listen to.
Absolutely brilliant concise update on the war in Ukraine - unbeatable!
Justin Brink is well informed and has a clear way of explaining difficult problems.
That was amazingly informative! Thank you!
We need to get the new pilots Louis Gossett Jr and some walkmans... Then we can speed up their training with a montage, It is the only way!
Well said 🤙🏽
Au-toh-Matic!
Always good to hear from Justin Bronk.
Dr Bronk is always great to hear from.
Thank you Ward for an informative discussion.
IMHO the AWACS planes will make a big difference.
Won't the AWACS planes be sitting ducks over Ukraine
I don't think so, their detection range is about the same as the R-37 range which was designed to kill Awacs. These won't be safe like Nato Awacs planes
I've been under the impression that other countries have been providing that service from the beginning.
I'm concerned about how Ukrainian awacs will be protected.
@@jerseyshoredroneservices225Difference is, I highly doubt that any of the NATO AWACS are transmitting targeting data, rather that they provide general intelligence and early warning
@@jerseyshoredroneservices225 Ukraine is a large country, about 1000 km wide, so they can only cover parts of Ukraine (about 5-600 km I think?).
Mr. Carroll........Ward........... Mooch........ You do a singularly masterful job and I am sure that it's your nature to over-perform..... a characteristic of most fighter pilots I know. Thank you and your guests, particularly the supremely literate, erudite, and brilliant Justin Bronk.
I wish you had justin on every day. He does a great job explaining why he has come to his conclusions.
Good analysis and a brilliant speech from Justin in the closing minutes of the interview. Hope it reaches the ears of those who can make an impact.
Brilliantly informing clarity. Thanks Justin and Ward
Thanks Ward. Unfortunately Youth and Health (mine) have left the building, otherwise I'd be there now.
Excellent content Ward. I find all your videos very informative.
Justin simply lays it out there. There’s no political posturing, just, “this is how the real world works” without breathless screaming.
Thank you very much for getting Justin on again. I find that he is tremendously insightful with a real depth of knowledge and communicates it really well for us members of the the general public. Great channel. Thanks again. 🙂👍🙂
He makes a saliant point- the tactics... it is the piolet that wins the fight, the aircraft is simply the tool.
Just found your channel - it’s great to find a you tube channel hosted by Naval Aviator!
I always value hearing from Justin Bronk. Too bad you didn't ask him about Mirage 2000.
This conversation happened before France made that announcement.
As always Justin explains things very well and distinctly clearly!
Fascinating, mature and valuable discussion. I only regret that I have but one thumbs-up to give.
Brilliant analyst! Always love hearing him talk.
This has been highly informative. Great work guys
Dr. Bronk again proving why he's a Moochi winner...💯
It’s always good, helpful (& dare I say helpful?) to listen to a sober, fact-based analysis of a complex situation by those with detailed knowledge & experience in the area.
Much appreciated.
Another great point from Justin: Even back during the Cold War, we NATO fighter pilots were taught about the significant differences between the Warsaw Pact air forces being heavily based on GCI and centralised command and control, compared with the far more dynamic tactics within NATO air forces and units.
American politicians always make the right decision after trying all the wrong ones. From the very beginning of the war, the Allies needed to fly their F-16s themselves with volunteer pilots (Ukraine could have given them Ukrainian passports in 5 minutes to reassure public opinion and the UN), and train local pilots during the course of hostilities, so that don't waste people's time and lives. There are many examples of the participation of foreign pilots in military conflicts in history - the Spanish Civil War of 1936-39, the Korean War of 1950-53, the Vietnam War of 1957-1975, multiple military conflicts in Africa and Yugoslavia. Not entering Ukraine with planes until the local crews are prepared is the stupidest decision that could be expected.
The situation was saved by the fact that Putin got involved with the wrong people and broke his teeth on them!
Thanks to Justin Bronk for analyzing the problem!
♠
You forget- the US air superiority is a system working together with information being fed to the pilots. It is not a bunch of independent Red Barons up there dog fighting. Our pilots are trained in that system from the start, that’s how we obtain air superiority. You can’t throw that together in a few weeks.
@@williamcondra3811 Yep. That's why the training should have started back in 2022.
@@williamcondra3811 Everything is clear about training, I’m talking about American and European volunteer pilots entering the battle on their planes in the initial period in order to hold back the russians, perhaps with Ukrainian passports, in order to avoid “howling in the swamps.” Those, a full-fledged NATO air force was supposed to enter Ukraine. At first, it was possible to simply play defensively, holding back russian airstrikes, and only later carry out offensive actions. And training local pilots had to be carried out in parallel. After all, the russians could have crushed Ukraine back in 2022-23 if the people had not given a decisive rebuff. Then there would be no point in teaching someone to fly the F-16.
I couldn't agree more. Hearing that the training of Ukrainian pilots started 1.5 year into the war with *3 months English course* just made me sad. One would expect at least more foresight. The training could have started way before any political decision to donate the western jets.