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Ukrainian Pilots Fly Transport Helicopters While Waiting for F-16 Jets
Content TypePackage
LanguageEnglish
Transcript/ScriptUSAGM
PLAYBOOK SLUG: TV Ukraine Transport Helicopters – Kosstutschenko
HEADLINE: Ukrainian Pilots Fly Transport Helicopters While Waiting for F-16 Jets
TEASER: One crew can fly up to four times a day, aircrew commander says
PUBLISHED AT: 06/26/2023 9:40am
BYLINE: Anna Kosstutschenko
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Donetsk region, Ukraine
VIDEOGRAPHER: Pavel Suhodolskiy
VIDEO EDITOR: Pavel Suhodolskiy
SCRIPT EDITORS: KEnochs; Reifenrath
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA, Story Hunter
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO __
TRT: 2:17
VID APPROVED BY: KE
EDITOR NOTES:
((INTRO))
[[While Ukrainian pilots could soon be training to fly U.S.-produced F-16s, analysts say the jet fighters won't be seen on the battlefield anytime soon. In the meantime, the Ukrainian military is using a variety of aircraft in the field. Anna Kosstutschenko has the story.]]
((NATS)) ((Helicopter whirring))
((NARRATION))
In their battle against Russia, Ukrainians are using the Mi-8, a medium twin-turbine helicopter equipped with unguided missiles.
The multipurpose Mi-8s can also transport cargo and fight fires, explains helicopter aircrew commander Yevgen.
VOA is omitting his last name and those of other fighters from this report to ensure their safety.
((Yevgen, Mi-8 Helicopter Aircrew Commander)) ((UKR))
“There are three components to a successful assignment — to hit the targets, to come back alive and to bring the helicopter undamaged back to the base.”
((NARRATION))
The coordinates of each target are set by an experienced air gunner, explains another helicopter aircrew commander, Maksym.
((Maksym, Mi-8 Helicopter Aircrew Commander)) ((UKR))
“Army aviation collaborates directly with infantry units. Before takeoff, we receive target coordinates and prepare meticulously for effective operation. Then we work under conditions of strong electronic warfare suppression, which means there are some nuances during our work."
((NARRATION))
The pilots just got back from yet another sortie. The air gunner will announce the results later.
If the target was not hit, the helicopter will be reloaded and prepared for another sortie.
((NATS)) ((Helicopter reloaded))
On average, one crew can fly up to four times a day, Maksym says.
((Maksym, Mi-8 Helicopter Aircrew Commander)) ((UKR))
“I want to fly again; I want to know the results – and fly again!”
((NARRATION))
Finally, the air gunner announces the sortie was successful – the helicopters have hit all the targets.
((Maksym, Mi-8 Helicopter Aircrew Commander)) ((UKR))
“The most important thing is to finally win, and for the world to finally understand that imperial Russia is not a friend, but an enemy.”
((NARRATION))
Ukrainian pilots will continue to fly Mi-8 helicopters. Some pilots could begin training to fly F-16 jets in the coming months, according to NATO officials.
Last month U.S. President Joe Biden said he would allow NATO allies to provide F-16s to Kyiv, but so far, none have announced plans to send jets to Ukraine.
((Anna Kosstutschenko, for VOA news, Donetsk region, Ukraine))
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