Turkish pilots to keep training on F-35s - Pentagon
Turkish pilots will continue to train with F-35 fighter jets at a U.S. Air Force base in Arizona, the Pentagon said on April 2. "Turkish pilot and maintainer training at Luke AFB is continuing," Air Force Lieutenant Col. Mike Andrews, a Defense Department spokesman, told Anadolu Agency.
As the source reports, the remarks are in contrast to comments made earlier in the day by Senator Jim Inhofe, who said a decision was made to stop training the Turkish pilots.
"I'm not aware of any delay in training at Luke. I have confirmed that the training is continuing. If that changes, we'll let you know," said Andrews.
The U.S. announced on April 1 that it would be suspending all "deliveries and activities" related to Turkey's procurement of the stealth fighter jet over Ankara's plans to purchase Russia's S-400 surface-to-air missile system. Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said on April 2 he expects to resolve the dispute between the U.S. and Turkey over the S-400s.