F-16 Fighting Falcon - Royal Netherlands Air Force

The Royal Netherlands Air Force selected the F-16 as a replacement for the F-104 Starfighter and later also as replacement for the NF-5 Freedom Fighter. The jets were built under license by Fokker Aircraft Company. With 213 F-16's ordered in three badges the RNLAF was the second largest operator of the type next to the United States Air Force. The F-16 operated with 9 Squadrons when the final delivery was made in 1990.

History was made on the first day of Operation Allied Force, March 24, 1999, a Dutch F-16AM downed a Serbian MiG-29 fighter with an AMRAAM missile. For the RNLAF it was for the first time since the end of World War 2 that an aircraft was downed. With reduced numbers and more international operations the units are heavily tasked in international operations. Currently the F-16's are deployed in support of the NATO led ISAF mission in Afghanistan.

About two dozen F-16As of the RNLAF were supplied with indigenous Oude Delft Orpheus low-altitude tactical reconnaissance pods transferred from its retiring RF-104G. Designated F-16A(R), the first flew on 27 January 1983, and they entered service with 306 Squadron in October 1984.

In 1989 a two-year study began regarding possible mid-life upgrades for the USAF’s and European Partner Air Forces’ (EPAF’s) F-16A/B’s. The resulting F-16 Mid-Life Update (MLU) package was designed to upgrade the cockpit and avionics to the equivalent of that on the F-16C/D Block 50. The EPAFs redesignated the F-16A/B aircraft receiving the MLU as F-16AM/BM, respectively.

Development of new software and hardware modifications continues under the MLU program. The M3 software tape was installed in parallel with the Falcon STAR structural upgrade to bring the F-16AM/BM up to the standards of the USAF’s Common Configuration Implementation Program (CCIP). Installation is anticipated to be completed in 2010.

An M4 tape has also been developed that adds the ability to use additional weapons and the Pantera targeting pod; Norway began operating flying combat operations in Afghanistan with these upgraded aircraft in 2008. An M5 tape is in development that wil enable employment of a wider array of the latest smart weapons, and the first aircraft upgraded with it are due to be delivered in 2009.

The F-16 is scheduled to remain in service with the RNLAF until 2015. The planned replacement is the F-35 Lightning II, which is scheduled to enter service in 2012.

F-16AM Fighting Falcon - 323 Squadron - Royal Netherlands Air Force

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F-16AM Fighting Falcon - J-016 - Royal Netherlands Air Force

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F-16AM Fighting Falcon - J-642 - 312 Squadron - Royal Netherlands Air Force

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F-16AM Fighting Falcon - Royal Netherlands Air Force

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Other F-16 Fighting Falcon operators

- Belgian Defence - Air Component
- Danish Air Force
- Hellenic Air Force
- Italian Air Force
- Norwegian Air Force
- Pakistan Air Force
- Portuguese Air Force
- Republic of China Air Force
- Republic of Singapore Air Force
- Royal Jordanian Air Force
- Turkish Air Force
- United States Air Force
- United States Air Forces in Europe
- United States Navy

F-16 Fighting Falcon squadrons

- 311 Squadron
- 312 Squadron
- 313 Squadron
- 322 Squadron
- 323 Squadron
- F-16 Solo Display Team

Reports including

F-16 Fighting Falcon - J-001
- Frisian Flag 2013
F-16 Fighting Falcon - J-006
- RNLAF Airshow 2009
F-16 Fighting Falcon - J-014
- NATO Tiger Meet 2010
F-16 Fighting Falcon - J-015
- Sanicole Sunset Airshow 2012
- Texel Airshow 2012
F-16 Fighting Falcon - J-016
- Frisian Flag 2013
F-16 Fighting Falcon - J-017
- Frisian Flag 2012 - Photo Report
F-16 Fighting Falcon - J-020
- Frisian Flag 2013
F-16 Fighting Falcon - J-021
- Sheiks Last Performance
- Malta International Air Show
F-16 Fighting Falcon - J-060
- Fighter Weapon Instructor Training
F-16 Fighting Falcon - J-061
- Frisian Flag 2013
F-16 Fighting Falcon - J-062
- Frisian Flag 2013
F-16 Fighting Falcon - J-193
- RNLAF Opendays 2008
F-16 Fighting Falcon - J-196
- Frisian Flag 2012 - Photo Report
F-16 Fighting Falcon - J-199
- Florennes farewells the TLP
F-16 Fighting Falcon - J-201
- Frisian Flag 2010
- Royal International Air Tattoo 2009
F-16 Fighting Falcon - J-203
- Frisian Flag 2009
F-16 Fighting Falcon - J-204 (04-04-11 to Chile as 754)
- Clean Hunter 2005
F-16 Fighting Falcon - J-207 (04-11-10 to Chile as 755)
- Frisian Flag 2008
F-16 Fighting Falcon - J-210
- Clean Hunter 2005
F-16 Fighting Falcon - J-229
- RNLAF Opendays 2004
F-16 Fighting Falcon - J-260
- Woensdrecht Air Base
F-16 Fighting Falcon - J-362
- Frisian Flag 2010
F-16 Fighting Falcon - J-366
- Frisian Flag 2009
F-16 Fighting Falcon - J-511
- Luchtmachtdagen 2011
F-16 Fighting Falcon - J-512
- Frisian Flag 2013
F-16 Fighting Falcon - J-513
- Fighter Weapon Instructor Training
F-16 Fighting Falcon - J-515
- Frisian Flag 2012 - Photo Report
- Frisian Flag 2009
F-16 Fighting Falcon - J-624
- Frisian Flag 2013
F-16 Fighting Falcon - J-627 (2011 to Chile as 743)
- Frisian Flag 2009
F-16 Fighting Falcon - J-632
- Luchtmachtdagen 2011
F-16 Fighting Falcon - J-635
- Frisian Flag 2012 - Photo Report
F-16 Fighting Falcon - J-637
- Florennes farewells the TLP
- Fighter Weapon Instructor Training
F-16 Fighting Falcon - J-640 (w/o 08-04-2011)
- Hungarian Air Force 70th Anniversary
F-16 Fighting Falcon - J-642
- Frisian Flag 2013
- Royal International Air Tattoo 2008
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- Fighter Weapon Instructor Training
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- Frisian Flag 2009
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- Frisian Flag 2013
F-16 Fighting Falcon - J-872
- Frisian Flag 2012 - Photo Report
- Frisian Flag 2010
F-16 Fighting Falcon - J-873
- RNLAF Opendays 2008
F-16 Fighting Falcon - J-876
- Royal International Air Tattoo 2010
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- Luchtmachtdagen 2011
F-16 Fighting Falcon - Unknown
- Luchtmachtdagen 2011
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- RNLAF Airshow 2009