Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Bulgarian pilots continue F-16 training flights at the Graf Ignatievo Air Base

Photo: Council of Ministers

The Bulgarian pilots have a long period of intensive training ahead of them. This is what Major Jason Royko, who delivered Bulgaria’s first F-16 at the beginning of April and will receive the next seven aircraft, told the Bulgarian National Radio. Jason Royko will be the instructor responsible for training Bulgarian pilots at Graf Ignatievo Air Base.

"We will continue flying the F-16 here in Bulgaria. The more you fly and the more you practice, the better you become. The Bulgarian pilots have already completed their specialized training in the United States. From what I’ve seen and from working with the Bulgarian F-16 pilots, based on the training they received, I’ve already seen great progress", said Major Jason Royko.

A total of 18 pilots have so far been sent for F-16 training to the United States. Two of them have already completed the basic course for this type of aircraft. 




Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

The Russian aggression in Ukraine hinders Black Sea cooperation

“Bulgaria remains a firm supporter of Ukraine’s efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace that guarantees its sovereignty and territorial integrity”, Minister of Foreign Affairs Georg Georgiev said at the opening of the 66th Session of the General..

published on 11/24/25 12:59 PM
Lilyana Pavlova

Bulgaria will not bail out eurozone countries with debt, Lilyana Pavlova says

Bulgaria will not have to bail out eurozone countries that are experiencing difficulties. This is what Lilyana Pavlova, former vice president of the European Investment Bank, told the Bulgarian National Radio. "In the contracts we..

published on 11/24/25 11:43 AM
Georg Georgiev

Skopje must include Bulgarians in the constitution, Foreign Minister Georgiev says

I have spoken many times with Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia Timčo Mucunski. He knows our position very well. His role is to convince his own government to abide by the 2022 consensus. This was what Bulgarian Foreign..

published on 11/24/25 9:30 AM