Lockheed Martin F-16D Fighting Falcon

The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is currently the most numerous combat aircraft in NATO. Originally developed for the USAF as a day fighter, the F-16 has evolved into a highly capable multi-role combat aircraft that despite flying for the first time in 1974 is still in production. Over 4,500 F-16s have been produced over the past 49 years and 3,000 of them are still in service with 25 nations around the world. The most recent version is called the Block 70/72 and includes a new cockpit, computers, an advanced AESA radar based on the one installed in the F-35.

The Hellenic Air Force first acquired the F-16C Block 30 in 1987 to replace their fleet of ageing F-5A Freedom Fighters which were delivered from 1989 onwards. Over the following 20 years, Greece has ordered a total of five batches of F-16Cs split over the Block 30, 50 and 52 variants resulting in a fleet of 170 aircraft. During the late 1990s, the older Block 30 aircraft were upgraded with new targeting pods so that equipment could be shared with newer aircraft, these aircraft also went through structural modifications which doubled their useful life.

As part of our celebration of the 50th anniversary of the F-16s first flight, the Hellenic Air Force will be providing both a single seat Block 52+ Advanced F-16C and a two-seat F-16D for static display at this year’s Air Tattoo. Both aircraft will be provided by 336 Squadron from the 116 Combat Wing based at Araxos. 336 Squadron aircraft are painted in their rarer Greek Aegean Blue paint scheme.

Photo Credit: Peter Reoch