It was not immediately clear when the first F-16s might enter the conflict as Ukrainian pilots will also have to undertake at least six months’ training.
The Pentagon is sending the Thomas Hudner, a destroyer, and F-35 fighter jets after Iran tried to seize two oil tankers near the strait early this month.
A senior defense official says the U.S. is beefing up its use of fighter jets around the strategic Strait of Hormuz to protect ships from Iranian seizures.
U.S. Air Force Capt. David Brown, who's an F-16 pilot, said at the Paris Air Show this week that training takes about a year for American military pilots.