March 31, 2024 (by Lieven Dewitte) - On Thursday the Venezuelan Air Force reported that one of its F-16 fighters shot down an aircraft declared hostile after it violated national airspace.
The aircraft was declared "hostile" as it did not have a flight plan nor an authorization from air traffic control to operate in the area.

The news was reported through the force’s official Twitter account, which also provided a video of the fighter jet’s firing run. At the time of this publication, neither the National Bolivarian Armed Forces nor the AMB have issued an official statement providing further details on the incident that occurred.

In the video sequence you can see how the pilot of the F-16 fighter from the 16th Fighter Air Group made a firing run that resulted in the downing of the hostile aircraft. It can be presumed that all protocols were followed for such unauthorized flights, including attempts to communicate with the aircraft orders to land at an airport specified by the authorities, with shooting it down as a last resort.

The Venezuelan F-16s have been carrying out various deployments in recent months to guard sovereign airspace. One of the most relevant was their participation in the joint military exercise “General Domingo Sifontes,” amid tensions with Guyana over the Esequibo territory. More recently, the combat aircraft based at El Libertador Air Base conducted an air-to-air missile launch exercise. This activity involved the participation of three F-16A/B aircraft (two single-seaters and one two-seater) armed with AIM-9L Sidewinder and Rafael Python 4 missiles.

March 27, 2024 (by Lieven Dewitte) - Danish Minister of Defense, Troels Lund Poulsen, arrived in Argentina on March 26 to seal the agreement for the purchase of 24 to 28 F-16MLU fighter jets, decommissioned by the Danish Air Force (RDAF), putting an end to the exaggeratedly long search for a supersonic multi-role fighter for the Argentine Air Force (FAA).
On Tuesday Troels Lund Poulsen signed a letter of intent with Defense Minister Luis Petri of Argentina for a deal worth approximately US$ 300 million. US Ambassador Marc Stanley was also present at the ceremony as a token of Washington's acquiescence to the operation.

The purchase of the F-16s would benefit from generous U.S. financing, whereby Argentina would have six years to pay for the nearly $700 million involved in the operation. This budget would be divided almost equally between the purchase of the aircraft, spare parts, simulators and training of FAA personnel, and the acquisition of the guided armament to be carried by the fighters.

The final contract will be signed next month in Copenhagen when Petri travels to the European country. Economy Minister Luis Toto Caputo was also reported to have greenlighted the expenditure.

Denmark is donating 19 F-16s to Ukraine, and the Danish government has decided to sell 24 Danish F-16 fighters to Argentina.

The transaction involving these aircraft for the Argentine Air Force ends all previous talks with India, and particularly with China, whose JF-17 model was also a likely option.

With this choice, Argentina's military forces and systems will be technically in line with those of the United States. Had Argentina opted for the JF-17s, Buenos Aires would have lost security and defense cooperation agreements with Washington.

The contract with Denmark and the United States was discussed by Petri last Monday with British Ambassador Kirsty Hayes, given the UK's military embargo on Argentina following the 1982 South Atlantic war. The F-16s are said not to have any UK-made components.

In 2017 Argentina phased out the French-built Dassault Mirage after four decades of service.

March 26, 2024 (by Lieven Dewitte) - The Dutch government has committed to an aid package valued at over EUR 350 million for Ukraine. The Netherlands will procure ammunition worth more than EUR 150 million specifically for the F-16s that will soon be transferred to Ukraine. This ammunition is being directly purchased from the industry.
The Netherlands is also investing more than EUR200 million in the purchase of new intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) drones for Ukraine, together with partner countries.

Ten Ukrainian pilots have undergone basic flight training in the United Kingdom and will now move to advanced flying training provided by the French Air Force before learning to fly F-16 fighter jets.

The Netherlands, Denmark and the United States co-lead the Air Capability Coalition — that also comprises Belgium, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden and the United Kingdom — as part of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG).

Eighteen Dutch fighter jets were provided for training in Romania. The remaining 24 aircraft are intended for delivery to Ukraine in the second half of 2024. An undisclosed number of these operational jets are now being made ready for transfer to Ukraine, the Dutch Ministry of Defence (MoD) said.

The Netherlands is contributing F-16s to Ukraine as part of the wider ‘F-16 coalition' that also comprises Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

March 13, 2024 (by SrA Karla Parra) - Airmen assigned to the 80th Fighter and Fighter Generation Squadron and F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft concluded participation in Joint Exercise Cobra Gold 2024 at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, on March 8. The 43rd iteration of the exercise brought together service members from seven nations from February 26 to March 9 to enhance regional peace and stability.
Throughout the two-week multinational exercise, 80th Fighter Squadron pilots flew 96 sorties and more than 160 flying hours over the skies of Thailand, executing 13 large force exercises that combined offensive and defensive counter-air measures as well as six combined joint all-domain operations with aircrew from the Royal Thai Air Force. The squadron, consisting of several young pilots, credits Cobra Gold 24 with equipping fliers from both sides of the Thai-American alliance with valuable experience with interoperability.

"This was a great opportunity to test mission planning procedures at the multinational level," said Lt. Col. Brandon July, 80th Fighter Squadron commander. "Cobra Gold 24 allowed us to solidify what integration looks like on both sides of the alliance [Thai-American] and became a rather seamless process that proved we can come together to get after common objectives for the region."

An annual exercise, Cobra Gold is designed to provide the U.S., its allies and mission partners a venue to execute complex and realistic operations. The 80th Fighter Generation Squadron and 8th Maintenance Squadron personnel benefited from the exercise’s realistic scenarios and change in location.

"Our team executed well in a contingency-like environment, with live munitions building and loading, and unconventional aircraft generation… all of which should give us a lot of confidence in our ability to execute the mission from anywhere," said Capt. Sophie Rizzo, 80th Fighter Generation Squadron director of operations. "Whether it was collaborating with the Royal Thai Air Force maintainers to mitigate constrained resources, working with our 934 Air Wing reserve partners for military airlift, or coordinating with U.S. and Thai Army on munitions employment, the Juvats showcased commitment to partnership."

Kunsan Air Base has maintained participation in Cobra Gold annually throughout the exercise’s 43-year history and looks forward to the training it provides personnel.

"This is an exercise we always look forward to," July said. "Taking the team on the road, interacting with our international partners and weaving what we do into the larger picture… the combined force’s plan with the other services, is a highlight in the grand scheme of our tours at Kunsan."

March 20, 2024 (by Lieven Dewitte) - An Ohio National Guard F-16 experienced an "in-flight emergency" during landing at the 180th Fighter Wing in Swanton Wednesday at 11.20h. The pilot exited the aircraft safely.
It is currently unknown what led to the incident, but the 180th said the emergency is under further investigation.

The 180th Fighter Wing - the only F-16 fighter wing in the state of Ohio - was scheduled to conduct an air defense exercise over eastern Michigan between 08.00h and 11.00h, according to a press release issued from the base Wednesday.

March 20, 2024 (by Lieven Dewitte) - A Hellenic Air Force F-16 that took off from Larissa AB crashed near the island of Psathoura at 13:33h today during a routine training flight.
A Super Puma helicopter took off from Lemnos airbase to locate the missing pilot.

The F-16 block 52+ single-seater belongs to the 337 Squadron, 110 Fighter Wing (FM) crashed in the sea near Psathoura, a Greek island in the northern Aegean Sea.

A Super Puma helicopter from the 130th Battle Group at Lemnos airbase was dispatched to the area to rescue the pilot. The pilot managed to safely eject and has been found alive and well.

March 12, 2024 (by Lieven Dewitte) - In a significant milestone for Bahrain’s military capabilities, the first three of 16 F-16 Block 70 jets landed at Bahrain’s Isa Air Base on Friday, March 8.
These fighter jets constitute the first batch of aircraft included in the Royal Bahraini Air Force (RBAF)’s ‘Hamad Falcons’ fleet.

They left the Greenville production facility in South Carolina bound for Bahrain on March 6th.This first ferry flight cell came one year after the first F-16 Block 70 was officially presented to the Bahraini Air Force during a ceremony in Greenville in March 2023.

Imagery released by Lockheed Martin showed two single-seat F-16C and one twin-seat F-16D aircraft on the ramp prior to departure.

Bahrain became the first F-16 operator in the Gulf Cooperation Council in the early 1990s, and in June 2018 it became the launch customer for the F-16 Block 70. The RBAF will also upgrade its 20 block 40 F-16C/D aircraft to this latest standard to make a total fleet of 36 F-16 Block 70 aircraft.

Lockheed Martin has already produced five F-16 Block 70 jets for Bahrain, with an additional 11 in various stages of production and testing. Two aircraft are currently performing flight-test missions at Edwards Air Force Base, California, with the US Air Force (USAF) 416th Flight Test Squadron.

The F-16 Block 70 jets are equipped with state-of-the-art features including the APG-83 AESA Radar, advanced avionics, modernised cockpit with new safety systems, and sophisticated weapon platforms.

Moreover, these jets boast additional enhancements such as conformal fuel tanks for extended range, improved performance engine, and an extended structural service life of 12,000 hours. Notably, the Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System (Auto GCAS), introduced in late 2014, has proven crucial in safeguarding pilots’ lives, showcasing the aircraft’s superior safety standards and performance capabilities.

The F-16 Block 70 program has a current backlog of 133 aircraft for six countries. Lockheed Martin anticipates delivering 19-21 jets this year from its production line in Greenville.

March 6, 2024 (by Liz Lutz) - Lockheed Martin marked a significant milestone with the departure of the first ferry cell of three F-16 Block 70 jets from Greenville, South Carolina, to Bahrain.
This event highlights Bahrain's role as the first Gulf Cooperation Council member to operate the F-16 and now the first to integrate the F-16 Block 70 variant into its fleet.

To date, Lockheed Martin has produced five F-16 Block 70 jets for Bahrain, with an additional 11 in various stages of production and testing. The initial aircraft are performing flight test missions at Edwards Air Force Base, California, with the 416th Flight Test Squadron.

OJ Sanchez, vice president and general manager of the Integrated Fighter Group at Lockheed Martin, emphasized the importance of the F-16 in the joint 21st Century Security battlespace. "With the introduction of the F-16 Block 70, we are witnessing a significant leap in fighter capabilities. The integration of this proven platform will allow the Royal Bahraini Air Force to safeguard its skies effectively and partner with allies worldwide," said Sanchez.

"More than 3,100 F-16s are operational in 25 countries, demonstrating the F-16's reputation as a highly reliable and versatile fighter." Sanchez also acknowledged the enduring partnership between the U.S. government, Bahrain, and Lockheed Martin, a relationship that reflects shared values in defense, economic growth, and cultural ties.

The F-16 Block 70 jets, representing a significant leap in fighter capabilities, are at the forefront of 4.5-generation technology. These aircraft are equipped with the APG-83 AESA Radar, advanced avionics, and a modernized cockpit featuring new safety systems and sophisticated weapon platforms. Additional enhancements include conformal fuel tanks for extended range, an improved performance engine, and an industry-leading extended structural service life of 12,000 hours. A key safety feature, the Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System (Auto GCAS), introduced in late 2014, has been instrumental in saving the lives of 13 pilots across 12 jets, demonstrating the aircraft's superior safety and performance capabilities.

February 29, 2024 (by Liz Lutz) - In a ceremony at Lockheed Martin's Greenville facility, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the Slovak Republic, Robert Kaliňák, along with esteemed delegates from the United States and Slovakia, commemorated the delivery of Slovakia's first two F-16 Block 70 aircraft.
This event marks a new era in European air defence, underscoring the deepening partnership between the two allied nations. F-16 Block 70 fighter jets will help the Slovak Republic once again protect its airspace with its capacities.

The two aircraft, a single-seat C-model and a two-seat D-model will remain in Greenville for maintenance training. This training is crucial for Slovak Air Force personnel to ensure the smooth integration and effective operation of the F-16 fleet. More jets are slated for completion by 2025, with the first group of aircraft anticipated to arrive in Slovakia by mid-2024.

OJ Sanchez, vice president and general manager of the Integrated Fighter Group at Lockheed Martin, emphasized the milestone's strategic importance: "Slovakia is at the forefront of adopting Europe's most advanced 4th generation fighter, the F-16 Block 70. These jets represent a stronger alliance between Slovakia, the United States, and NATO allies and equip the Slovak Air Force with advanced capabilities to face 21st Century Security challenges."

Sanchez added: "As Slovakia joins the nations operating the F-16, a benchmark NATO fighter, they bolster their defence capabilities and readiness for global operations. With 11 more Slovak F-16s under production and testing, we are committed to delivering a total of 14 state-of-the-art jets, further solidifying our partnership."

The F-16 Block 70 jets are equipped with the Northrop Grumman APG-83 AESA Radar, advanced avionics, an extended structural service life of 12,000 hours, and critical safety features like the Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System (Auto GCAS). Since its integration into the U.S. Air Force in late 2014, the Auto GCAS has been instrumental in saving 13 pilots across 12 F-16 incidents, exemplifying the aircraft's unparalleled safety and performance standards.

February 1, 2024 (by Lieven Dewitte) - An American F-16 fighter jet crashed in waters off South Korea's west coast near Mokdeok island, on Jan 31, with the pilot rescued after ejecting from the aircraft.
“An F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 8th Fighter Wing here experienced an in-flight emergency over the West Sea and crashed at approximately 08.41h (23.41h GMT) today,” the United States military said in a statement.

“The pilot ejected safely and was recovered at around 9.30am. He is conscious and was transported to a medical facility for assessment.”

The statement hailed the close cooperation with South Korea during the rescue operation.

“We are very thankful to the Republic of Korea rescue forces and all of our teammates who made the swift recovery of our pilot possible,” said Colonel Matthew C. Gaetke, 8th Fighter Wing commander.

This is the third crash of an American F-16 fighter jet in South Korea since May 2023. Last september, there was also a crash of a South Korean Air Force KF-16.

The incident is the second in about six weeks for the US military in South Korea, following the crash of a US F-16 jet on a training mission into waters off the country’s coast in mid-December. The cause of that incident was also an “in-flight emergency,” the US 8th Fighter Wing said in a statement at the time.

February 8, 2024 (by Lieven Dewitte) - The Netherlands ends negotiations to sell six F-16 fighter planes to Draken International. Both parties have come to the conclusion that sale and delivery of these F-16s is not going to happen anytime soon.
The Netherlands had made agreements with the international firm to sell 12 F-16s in 2021. Draken would use these aircraft to expand its own fleet with fourth-generation aircraft. With these, the company wanted to compete for contracts and tenders.

However, this sale did not go through, after which the Netherlands offered Draken the opportunity to still buy 6 F-16s in the future. This would happen under conditions yet to be determined. This is no longer a problem as the talks with Draken have come to a conclusion.

The 6 aircraft will now be added to the 18 F-16s prepared for delivery to Ukraine. The remaining 18 aircraft are destined for a Romanian F-16 training facility..

For many years, the F-16 was the mainstay of the Royal Air Force's strike force. This role has now been taken over by the F-35. All F-16s are being sold off.

January 31, 2024 (by Lieven Dewitte) - The United States has approved the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey along with a companion $8.6 billion sale of advanced F-35 fighter jets to Greece,
The State Department notified Congress of its approval of the $23 billion F-16 sale to Turkey. The move came just hours after Turkey deposited its “instrument of ratification” for Sweden’s accession to NATO with Washington, which is the repository for alliance documents and after several key members of Congress lifted their objections.

The administration simultaneously informed Congress it wants to sell Greece, Turkey's longtime rival, up to 40 more advanced F-35 fighter jets in a deal worth up to $8.6 billion. It’s a move lawmakers sought amid tensions between the two Mediterranean neighbors.

Relations between both countries have significantly improved in the last year after a low point in 2022 when President Erdoğan threatened Athens with missiles.

The sale to Turkey includes 40 new F-16s and equipment to modernize 79 of Turkey’s existing F-16s

The sale to Greece includes 40 F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters and related equipment.

Turkish President Erdoğan’s stalling of Sweden’s accession to the NATO alliance was far from the only grievance that held up the deal. Turkey’s spotty human rights record, incursions into Greek airspace and purchase of the Russian-made S-400 air defense system had increased tensions with the U.S.

Others criticized the approval of the deal in light of Turkey's human rights record and a list of other concerns, including Ankara's support for Hamas and President Erdoğan's cordial ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The sale of F-16s also comes after the U.S. booted Turkey from the program for the more advanced F-35 fighter, also built by Lockheed Martin. It seems hwoever that Turkey may even have the opportunity to return to F-35 club. The potential return was mentioned by the US Acting Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland on her visit to Turkey this week.

Turkey’s green light of Swedish Nato membership leaves Hungary as the last holdout in an accession process that Sweden and Finland began in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine nearly two years ago.

January 10, 2024 (by Bjorn Claes) - With the first flight of the second Bahraini dual seater (#1612) on December 19th, 2023 and also the first flight of the second Slovak dual seater (#1101) on December 15th the final month of 2023 was quite productive on the Greenville production line. These firsts were followed by the first flight of the third Bahraini single seater (#1603) on January 5th, 2024.
The past two years saw the production of new-built F-16s forthcoming in an extremely slow pace with months (or even over a year) between roll outs of the factory. This was first due to the general COVID crisis in 2021-2021 but was followed with serious supply chain issues at the Greenville plant. This delayed all the new production for over 18 months up till now with both Bahrain and Slovakia waiting for there new aircraft to emerge. But this also means a serious delay for other countries like Bulgaria, Taiwan, Morocco and Jordan who are all facing serious delays in their deliveries resulting in problems concerning to the aircraft the F-16 is set te replace at these respective air forces.

Hopefully the worst of those slowing issues are resolved by now and that we cna look forward to seeing more F-16s rolling off the production line on a monthly bases.

December 16, 2023 (by Lieven Dewitte) - On Friday, December 15, the first of two contracted Slovak F-16D Block 70s was flown from Donaldson Field Airport in Greenville, South Carolina.
The F-16 with serial number #1101 is equipped with a characteristic hump for additional avionic.

In December 2018, the Slovak Republic ordered twelve F-16C Fighting Falcon Block 70 aircraft and two two-seater F-16Ds.

The contract also included the construction of infrastructure at the Sliač air base and the training of 22 pilots and 160 mechanics. Deliveries were supposed to begin in 2022, but the program has been hit by a slide due to chip shortages, the COVID-19 pandemic and the relocation of Lockheed Martin's F-16 production line to new premises in Greenville.

Slovakia’s first single-seat F-16 Block 70 (# 1001) completed its maiden flight on September 29, 2023.

A total of six countries ordered the Block 70/72 aircraft.

December 11, 2023 (by Lieven Dewitte) - A U.S. F-16 pilot safely ejected from his jet before it crashed into the Yellow Sea off South Korea's southwestern coast on Monday.
The Viper driver was recovered by Republic of Korea Maritime Forces, and reported as “awake and in stable conditions” and being returned to his homebase to be evaluated further.

Kunsan Air Base, located in Gunsan, South Korea, said in a statement that an F-16 assigned to the 8th Fighter Wing experienced an in-flight emergency at approximately 08:43h local time on Monday, prompting the pilot to eject himself from the aircraft.

The pilot was recovered by the Republic of Korea Maritime Forces in awake and stable condition.

In May, an F-16 of the U.S. 51st Fighter Wing crashed into farmland near Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, 60 kilometers south of Seoul. At the time, the pilot escaped safely and no civilian casualties were reported.

November 3, 2023 (by Lieven Dewitte) - Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $177m contract to provide support for the Chilean Air Force F-16 M6.6 Operational Flight Programme and Systems Upgrade.
The contract is set to enhance the operational capabilities of the Chilean military’s F-16 fleet. Chile’s defence budget is on the rebound and is projected to reach $2.6bn by 2028.

The 31 October award was conducted via the US Department of Defense (DOD) Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme. It was announced by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center based at Hill Air Force Base, Utah and marks a step in providing Chile with the necessary support to maintain its military readiness and capabilities. The contract is scheduled for completion by November 30, 2032.

In a notable move, this contract is classified as a sole source acquisition. The work will be carried out in Fort Worth, Texas, Greenville, South Carolina, and Chile itself.

The F-16 M6.6 Operational Flight Programme and Systems Upgrade are set to introduce technology and enhancements to the Chilean F-16 fleet, ensuring its continued relevance and effectiveness globally.

The Chilean Air Force (Fuerza Aérea de Chile:FACh) operates a fleet of 44 F-16s. They procured 36 F-16AM/BM mid-life update (MLU) aircraft from the Netherlands between 2006 and 2011, in addition to 10 new-build F-16C/D Block 50s acquired from Lockheed Martin in the early 2000s. The F-16A/Bs were subsequently upgraded to M4 standard, putting their capabilities on par with the new-build models.

This significant move follows the clearance granted by the U.S. State Department in July 2020 for Chile to acquire modernization upgrades for its F-16 aircraft.

While the prospect of upgrading the existing F-16 fleet had been under consideration since 2017, detailed plans were yet to be disclosed. Additionally, analysts have speculated that Chile might also consider purchasing a limited number of new F-16s to complement its existing inventory.

The comprehensive upgrades covered under U.S.-approved prospective sale encompass an array of equipment, including 19 Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing Systems (JHMCS), six inert MK-82 (500LB) general purpose bomb bodies, two MXU-650KB Air Foil Groups (AFG), 44 LN-260 Embedded GPS/INS (EGI), and 49 Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radios (MIDS JTRS).

Moreover, the package incorporates avionics equipment and software enhancements, new radios, upgraded IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) transponders, secure communications equipment, and various other critical components.

November 1, 2023 (by Lieven Dewitte) - The first F-16 fighter jets that the Netherlands is donating to Ukraine will arrive at the training center in Romania within two weeks, according to Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte.
Rutte did not give the exact number of F-16s, but Zelensky said earlier this year that there had been an agreement for 42 Dutch aircraft. Denmark, Norway, and Belgium have also announced that they will provide F-16 aircraft to Ukraine.

The Royal Dutch Air Force will deploy the F-16s to the "Lt. Aviator Gheorghe Mociorniță" Air Base in Romania. There, the training courses for Ukrainian pilots will start shortly. It should then take about a year before the Ukrainian pilots mastered all of the F-16’s functions. Maintenance support staff also need a long-term training.

Romanian defense minister Angel Tîlvăr signed a Letter of Intent between the Ministry of National Defense of Romania, the Ministry of Defense of the Netherlands, and aircraft maker Lockheed Martin regarding the F-16 Training Center in Romania at the end of August.

"Through this center, Romania commits to providing a high-quality training environment, with access to state-of-the-art technical resources and know-how not only for Romanian pilots but also for those from allied and partner states, including Ukraine," Tîlvăr said.

Training new Viper drivers takes about eight months, while a more experienced pilot who has flown tactically may be able to master it in five months or less. Training has been ongoing at the Danish military air base in Skrydstrup and in the US at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas and Morris Air National Guard Base in Arizona.

Ukraine's fighter fleet consists of Sukhoi Su-27 Flankers and Mikoyan MiG-29 Fulcrums, both built by the Soviet Union. However, the nation has long planned to receive F-16s once pilots have completed the required training, which includes everything from combat flying to language courses.

Whether a fourth-generation fighter, even as capable as the F-16, can make a difference in this environment, where pilots have to fly close to the ground to avoid enemy radars and neither side has been able to gain air superiority, has been a matter of debate among airpower experts.

There are those who believe they have no chance, those who believe it can affect things but only in certain missions, and still others who believe it will mostly depend on the missiles.

October 24, 2023 (by Lieven Dewitte) - After months of negotiations, a handful of Ukrainian pilots are at long last in Arizona. They're part of the first group of Ukrainians learning how to fly the F-16 fighter jet.
The small group of Ukrainian pilots first took English language courses in Texas before going to Morris ANG base in Arizona to start their flight training. The Air Forces 162nd Wing will lead the training. The 162nd is the primary F16 training hub for the USAF. Every country currently flying the F-16 today was taught by the 162nd.

The Training Regiment starts in the classroom before the pilots move on to a simulator and then, finally, flying actual jets over the American Southwest.

Ukraine's pilots will most likely see an accelerated training course as their skills are in dire need back home.Ukraine's military has called out for F-16s since the earliest days of Russia's full-scale invasion — a call that was only answered this summer.

The plane is no silver bullet in the conflict, but it's a notable improvement to Ukraine's stock of Soviet-era jets. It has multiple potential uses, including defending against Russia's exploding drone barrages, bombarding Russian defensive positions on the front line, and — a more risky and therefore less likely scenario. Much of its capabilities will depend on the weapons it's equipped with — and the effectiveness of the pilots flying it.

The United States is part of an 11-nation coalition to get F-16s to Ukraine. The Netherlands and Denmark are also training pilots and will give Ukraine its first batch of 42 F-16s. The planes should be in country sometime in the first part of 2024. Even with expedited training, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the earliest anyone can expect Ukrainian pilots to be flying F-16s against Russia would be next spring.

October 6, 2023 (by Lieven Dewitte) - In a rare use of force by one NATO member against another a USAF F-16C block 40 shot down an armed Turkish Anka-S drone on Thursday.as it came too close of American troops and Syrian Democratic Forces at the Tal Baydar base in northeastern Syria.
Air Force Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, called it a “regrettable incident” and said U.S. troops were forced to go to bunkers for safety as Turkey bombed targets nearby.

The F-16 belonged to the 555th EFS which are currently on deployment at Muwaffaq Al-Salti AB, Jordan.

The decision to shoot down an ally's armed drone "was made out due diligence and the inherent right of self-defense to take appropriate action to protect U.S. forces,” Ryder said, adding that “we have no indication that Turkey was intentionally targeting U.S. forces.”

U.S. officials earlier told The Associated Press the shootdown was ordered after more than a dozen calls to Turkish military officials stating that U.S. forces were on the ground in the area and that the U.S. military would take action to protect them if the drone didn’t leave. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to provide details of a sensitive military incident.

Ryder said U.S. forces observed Turkish drones doing airstrikes around Hassakeh at about 07:30h local time, and some strikes were inside a so-called American “restricted operating zone” just a kilometer (about a half mile) from U.S. troops. He said a bit later a Turkish drone re-entered the restricted area “on a heading toward where U.S. forces were located.”

Commanders assessed that the drone armed with air-to-ground missiles, which was now less than half a kilometer (500yards) away from U.S. troops, was a potential threat and U.S. F-16 fighter jets shot it down at roughly 11:40h.

No U.S. forces were injured during the incident, and a Pentagon spokesperson stated there was no indication that Turkey was intentionally targeting U.S. troops.

The Turkish military acknowledged that an unmanned aircraft was shot down but denied ownership of the drone, according to Reuters,

Turkey has recently stepped up attacks on Kurdish forces in Iraq and Syria after Kurdish militants claimed responsibility for a bomb attack in Ankara on Sunday. Turkey views the Syrian Democratic Forces as a wing of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, which numerous nations have designated a terrorist organization.

Syria has been in a civil war for more than a decade, and the country is split into areas controlled by the Syrian government led by President Bashar al-Assad; al-Qaida-linked militants and Turkish-backed opposition fighters in the northwest; and Kurdish forces in the northeast that the U.S. partners with to conduct missions against the Islamic State group. So far, the war has killed half a million people, wounded hundreds of thousands and left many parts of the country destroyed.

Typically, the U.S. and Turkish militaries, which are NATO allies, work in close coordination in conducting air maneuvers. But Turkey considers the Kurdish forces that work with the American troops to be aligned with the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK.

The U.S. has about 900 troops in Syria conducting missions to counter Islamic State group militants.

September 25, 2023 (by Lieven Dewitte) - The Biden administration is reportedly negotiating with Vietnam on the sale of an arms package featuring a fleet of F-16 fighter jets, in a move that could irk China and sideline Russia.
Washington and Hanoi are in talks on a deal for the largest-ever transfer of military equipment between the former Cold War adversaries. The armaments package that the U.S. would seek to sell to Vietnam would include a fleet of F-16 fighter jets, as well as their associated weaponry and equipment.

The deal is still in its early stages, with exact terms yet to be finalized, and may not come to fruition. But it was a key topic of official Vietnam-U.S. talks in Hanoi, New York and Washington over the past month.

The Russia-Ukraine war is making it harder for Vietnam to acquire weapons from its longstanding arms supplier Russia. The tensions between China and Vietnam because of overlapping territorial claims in the South China Sea is another reason Vietnam could consider acquiring the US warplanes.

The arrival of the U.S. fighters would allow the Vietnam People’s Air Force to strengthen and modernize its capabilities, as it currently has about 40 Sukhoi Su-27 and Su-30MK2 heavy fighters, which are its main air defense assets, and about 30 older Su-22 attack fighters, which the F-16s could replace.

In June 2015, the Vietnamese air force already showed interest in acquiring European and U.S. aircraft as part of its ongoing modernisation. Possible candidates included the Typhoon, Rafale, F-16 and Saab Gripen E/F.

Last year Vietnam already reached an agreement with the United States to acquire 12 Beechcraft T-6 Texan II trainer aircraft.

The Biden administration is now even considering the possibility of structuring especially favorable financing conditions for Vietnam to be able to afford the purchase and operation of the new US weapons systems, which would imply a heavy investment in the modernization and adaptation of the Vietnamese military infrastructure, as well as a significant doctrinal change for its Armed Forces.

September 21, 2023 (by David Choi) - A South Korean Air Force KF-16 fighter crashed Thursday morning shortly after takeoff at a base in Seosan City, about 60 miles southwest of Seoul, according to an Air Force spokesman.
The KF-16 from the 20th Fighter Wing crashed just after 8:20 a.m. inside Seosan Air Force Base as it departed for a routine flight, the spokesman told Stars and Stripes by phone on Thursday.

South Korean officials regularly speak to the media on the customary condition of anonymity.

The pilot, the only crew member, ejected from the aircraft and was checked out at a nearby hospital; no other injuries or damage to structures occurred, the spokesman said.

The KF-16 was not involved with a joint flight with the U.S. military at the time of the crash, he added.

The incident marks the second KF-16 crash in less than a year. On Nov. 20, a KF-16 pilot ejected from his aircraft before it crashed on a mountain near Wonju, about 50 miles southeast of Seoul, due to a maintenance error, Air Force officials said at the time.

KF-16s, a South Korean version of the U.S. F-16 Fighting Falcon, regularly drill alongside U.S. fighters. The aircraft flew with South Korean F-35A Lightning IIs and U.S. Fighting Falcons near the peninsula's west coast for a “rapid and flexible response” drill on July 28.

The KF-16 is manufactured under license in South Korea by defense contractor Korea Aerospace Industries.

Stars and Stripes reporter Yoo Kyong Chang contributed to this report.

September 14, 2023 (by Lieven Dewitte) - The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) publicly confirmed last week during an open house celebration at the at Paya Lebar Air Base that its upgraded F-16 C/D/D+ fighter aircraft are armed with the Python 5 air-to-air missile.
In 2018, Singapore purchased a number of SPYDER surface-to-air missile platforms developed by the Israeli company Rafael Advanced Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). As such, Singapore has likely had the Python-5 missile since then.

The Python-5 is currently the most capable air-to-air missile (AAM) in Israel's inventory and one of the most advanced AAMs in the world, even though it has a relatively short radius of 20 kilometers. The Python-5 was introduced in 2003 and as a beyond-visual-range (BVR) missile, it has "lock-on after launch" (LOAL) capabilities, and has all-aspect/all-direction (including rearward) attack ability. The missile features an advanced electro-optical infrared homing (with imaging infrared) seeker which scans the target area for hostile aircraft, then locks-on for terminal chase.

Three years after its introduction, the Israeli Python 5 air-to-air missile got its first combat kill when an Israeli F-16 downed a Hizbollah UAV.

The Python-5 missiles were incorporated into the RSAF's fleet of upgraded F-16 C/D/D+ fighters as part of the aircraft's mid-life upgrade (MLU) programme meant to extend their service lives into the 2030s. A commemorative unit patch for the Singaporean F-16 upgrade program had shown a Python missile, hinting at its eventual integration with the jet. The U.S. Air Force’s 416th Flight Test Squadron, based at Edwards Air Force Base in California, issued the patch.

Singapore’s F-16 pilots also use the Display and Sight Helmet system, made by Israeli firm Elbit Systems, that allows pilots to aim weapons by looking at a targe

The unveiling came ahead of a major open house celebration, at the air base, this weekend to mark the 55th anniversary of the founding of the RSAF, which was established following the model of the Israeli Occupation Forces.

Between 1998 and 2004, Singapore bought 62 F-16C/Ds, from the block 52 cohort, in multiple batches. Notably, the model bought by Singapore is the same model that the IOF used to custom-design the F-16 Soufa, which made the possibility of integrating the Python-5 missile possible.

Singapore is eventually set to replace its F-16s with stealthy F-35B Joint Strike Fighters capable of landing and takeoff in a vertical position or on a runway.

The arms race in Asia continues as the US military complex and government continue to fund it across multiple Asian countries.

Earlier in August, the US Department of State granted approval for a potential sale of infrared search and track systems for F-16s, along with other equipment, to Taiwan. This move, with a maximum potential value of $500 million, has been confirmed by the Pentagon.

The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin Corp, which was awarded, on September 1st, an $18 million government contract to service Taiwan's F16s.

The work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and in Taiwan; it is expected to be completed by August 30, 2030.

September 7, 2023 (by Asif Shamim) - The first F-16 Block 70 aircraft for the Slovak Republic was unveiled at Lockheed Martin's facility in Greenville, South Carolina, during a visit from the country's Minister of Defence, Martin Sklenár.
The Slovak Republic will be the first European country to receive this newest and most capable version of the Fighting Falcon. The F-16 Block 70 aircraft will deliver decades of 21st Century Security capabilities in support of the Slovak Republic's national security.

"These F-16s will enable the Slovak Air Force to stay ahead of threats in the region, and be part of the allied mission in Europe, NATO, and around the world," said OJ Sanchez, vice president, of Integrated Fighter Group at Lockheed Martin. "This jet represents the strong partnership between Lockheed Martin, the United States, the Slovak Republic, and allies."

This F-16 Block 70 jet is the first of 14 to be delivered to the Slovak Republic.

August 23, 2023 (by Lieven Dewitte) - Ukrainian pilots have begun training on the F-16, a piece of military hardware they deem essential to counter Russian air superiority. A number of Ukrainian engineers and technicians are also undergoing training, in addition to the eight pilots.
It is unclear when the last day of training will be but the instructors will announce the completion of training when they were satisfied the pilots, engineers and technicians had mastered their new skills. There seems to be a minimal term of six months though.

Trainees will also get English-language training in technical terminology, as the basic level of English language is not good enough.

The F-16 training program is being supported by a coalition of 11 NATO countries and required official US approval because the jets are American technology. The US recently committed to approve the transfer of F-16 fighter jets for Ukraine as soon as training is complete.

Denmark and the Netherlands have taken the lead in preparing a program to train Ukrainian pilots on the American jet, but the US is still working with other countries to see who may provide F-16s to the Ukrainian Air Force.

Last Friday, the US approved the transfer of F-16 instructional materials from Denmark to Ukraine. The transfer allows the Danish defense ministry to move forward with their effort to stand up pilot and maintenance training programs. The approval includes training modules, documentation and classroom training materials, the official said, which contains information about sensitive US technology.

Officials from a coalition of 11 nations have said training will take place in Denmark and Romania.

Over 73 Ukrainian military personnel arrived at the Danish military air base in Skrydstrup for training, among which eight pilots. Ukraine expects several dozens of pilots to be trained.

Romania is the most recent country within NATO to get its hands on F-16s. The Romanian Air Force has been notably resourceful in growing its F-16 fleet, starting with a batch of 12 second-hand jets from Portuguese stocks, followed by another five from the same source, and finally agreeing to buy 32 from Norway, which has retired all its Vipers. These last 32 jets will be delivered once they have been refurbished in Norway.

Greece also offered to train Ukrainian pilots with the Hellenic Air Force 120 Air Training Wing at Kalamata Air Base.

The Greek Air Force consists mostly of F-16 jets and Greek pilots are considered extremely experienced in the use of the US-built warplanes.

Hardware
The Netherlands and Denmark will supply F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine with first deliveries due around New Year. Both countries have F-16s available to donate as their armed forces are transitioning to newer F-35 fighters.

Denmark will deliver 19 jets in total, with the first six due to be shipped to Ukraine around New Year, followed by eight in 2024 and five the following year.

The Netherlands has 42 F-16s available in all but has yet to decide whether all of them will be donated.

The Netherlands and Denmark have led a months-long push to train Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16's and to ultimately deliver the jets to help counter the air superiority of Russia, whose forces invaded Ukraine in February 2022.