Lockheed F-16A Fighting Falcon

F-16AM FA-100 in flight

FA100 at high altitude over Ramstein airbase awaiting its turn to be refuelled by an Armée de l'Air Boeing C-135FR Stratotanker.

Lockheed F-16A Fighting Falcon

Single-engine single seat fighter

In 1973 the search began to find a replacement for the Lockheed F104G Starfighter, which resulted on June 9th, 1975 with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for the purchase of the General Dynamics F16 Fighting Falcon. The initial contract for 116 aircraft (96 F16A single-seaters and 20 F16B dual-seaters was signed on May 5th, 1977. The Belgian aircraft (as where the Danish aircraft) were to be assembled at the SABCA factory at Gosselies, using components produced in the other participating countries (Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark and Norway). A second follow-on buy for 44 aircraft (Block 15 OCU) was signed in February 1983, with deliveries taking place between 1987 and 1991 (40 F16As and 4 F16Bs). This second batch was bought to replace some of the Mirage 5Bs. Over the years the F16-fleet has been updated and modernised continuously, the largest update being the Midlife Update that was initiated in 1989. This was a result of a study started in 1987 to find a replacement for the F16, but budgetary constraints for all participating countries resulted in the MLU-project that aimed to bring the F16A/Bs to the latest Block 50 level and an extended life until approximately 2015. The Belgian Air Force decided to bring 90 of its aircraft up to MLU-level.

The F16 initially equipped 2 Fighter Wings, No 1 at Beauvechain (349 & 350 Squadrons) and No 10 at Kleine Brogel (23 & 31 Squadrons). Deliveries of the 44 aircraft from the follow-on contract meant that a third Wing, No 2 at Florennes could be converted to the F16. The end of the cold war however initiated some serious budget cuts, and in march 1996 No 1 Wing at Beauvechain was disbanded and its flying units dispersed over the two remaining wings, 349 Squadron and the Operational Conversion Unit moved to Kleine Brogel and 350 Squadron moved to Florennes. A first batch of older F16s were withdrawn from service and put into storage at Weelde.
Further re-organisations meant the disbandment of 2 Squadron at Florennes (in April 2001) and 23 Squadron at Kleine Brogel (in March 2002). The latest plans call for the reduction of the number of aircraft to about 60 by 2015.

 

Picture

 Serial US Serial Date In Date Out History
FA-01 6H-01 Mar 1979 May 1994 78-0116, FA-01, Storage at Weelde, Royal Army Museum Brussels
FA-02 6H-02 May 1979 Oct 1995 78-0117, FA-02, Carapace ECM test aircraft, stored at Weelde, porcessed at Rocourt. Nose section preserved at "Museum für Leftfahrt und Technik" at Werigerode (D.)
FA-03 6H-03 May 1979 1993 78-0118/HL, FA-03, Royal Techn. School Saffraanberg instructional airframe.
FA-04 6H-04 Aug 1979 Apr 1994 78-0119/HL, FA-04, stored at Weelde, preserved "Lallemand Memorial" Florennes,
FA-05 6H-5 Aug 1979 Mar 1994 78-0120, FA-05, Storage Weelde, Mobile recruting object. 
FA-06 6H-6 Sep 1979 Sep 1985 78-0121, FA-06, W/O in accident at Bois du Vesty/Rochefort on 02 Sep 1985
FA-08 6H-8 Oct 1979 Jul 1980 78-0123, FA-08, Crahed at Obaix Buzet/Pont-à-Celles on 28 Jul 1980, wreck used for BDRT at Florennes.
FA-14 6H-14 Feb 1980 Jan 1982 78-0129, FA-14, Mid-Air collision with FA-35, fatal crash at Wavreille, part used for BDR ay Kleine Brogel
FA-18 6H-18 May 1980 Oct 1994 78-0133, FA-18, 45 years 350 squadron, stored at Weelde, processed at Rocourt. preserved at Beauvechain (no wings no tail)
FA-20 6H-20 Oct 1980 Mar 1995 78-0135, FA-20, 349 squadron 43-83 badge on tail, stored at Weelde, processed at Rocourt.
FA-25 6H-25 Mar 1981 May 1994 78-0140, FA-25, 50 years 349 squadron c/s, stored at Weelde, to be preserved in special c/s., transferred to leine Brogel.
FA-26 6H-26 Apr 1981 Jul 1994 78-0141, FA-26, stored at Weelde, processed at Rocourt, nose section preserved at "Museum für Leftfahrt und Technik" at Werigerode (D.)
FA-27 6H-27 Apr 1981 Oct 2003 78-0142, FA-27, "FS", test a/c for "Carapace" ECM system, stored at Weelde, transferred to Rocourt, gate guardian at Sabca Gosselies.
FA-32 6H-32 Jul 1981 May 1994 78-0147, FA-32, stored at Weelde, processed at Rocourt.
FA-46 6H-46 Mrt 1982 Apr 2004 78-0161, FA-46, stored at Weelde, Rocourt, gate guardian at Techspace Aero at Herstal
FA-47 6H-47 May 1982 Apr 2004 80-3538, FA-47, N° 1 squadron tail marking, stored at Weelde and  Rocourt, gate guardian at Florennes.
FA-48 6H-48 Apr 1982 Apr 2004 80-3539, FA-48, stored at Weelde, processed at Rocourt.
FA-49 6H-49 Apr 1982 Oct 2003 80-3540, FA-49, 45 y. 349 squadron c/s, 50 y. 1Wing/349 sq. tail marking, stored at Weelde, processed at Rocourt.
FA-50 6H-50 May 1982 Apr 2004 80-3541, FA-50, 50y. 350 squadron c/s,  50 y. 1Wing/350 sq. tail marking, stored at Weelde, processed at Rocourt.
FA-51 6H-51 Jul 1982 Mar 1994 80-3542, FA-51, stored at Weelde, processed at Rocourt.
FA-53 6H-53 Aug 1982 Jun 2003 80-3544, FA-53, "FS", Stored at Weelde, processed at Rocourt.
FA-55 6H-55 Sep 1982 Oct 2003 80-3546, FA-55, "FS", stored at Weelde, to Rocourt, to Beauvechain (preserved), 04/09 noted with special markings "30 years F-16",
FA-56 6H-56 Oct 1982 Active 80-3547, FA-56, MLU, 25 years F-16/349 squadron tail marking
FA-57 6H57 Dec 1982 Active 80-3548, FA-57, MLU, TDPU tail marking
FA-58 6H-58 Dec 1982 Dec 2004 80-3549, FA-58, MLU, stored at Weelde, transferred to Royal Joranian Air Force as "140"
FA-60 6H-60 Feb 1983 Apr 2004 80-3551, FA-60, 50 years NATO c/s, MLU, stored at Weelde, transferred to Royal Joranian Air Force as "141"
FA-61 6H-61 Mar 1983 Oct 2004 80-3552, FA-61, MLU, 50 years 23 squadron tail marking, stored at Weelde, transferred to Royal Joranian Air Force as "142"
FA-62 6H-62 May 1983 Nov 1988 80-3553, FA-62, Tiger Meet 1985 c/s, crashed on 17 Nov 1988 at Bocholt/Kaulille after bird-strike.
FA-63 6H-63 May 1983 Sep 1987 80-3554, crashed on 14 Sep 1987 at Kleine Brogel, parts used for Battle Damage repair Training at Florennes
FA-67 6H-67 Sep 1983 Active 80-3558, FA-67,  Paper Devil tail decoration,  20 Years BAF f-16 c/s, "FS", MLU
FA-68 6H-68 Aug 1983 Active 80-3559, FA-68, MLU
FA-69 6H-69 Oct 1983 Active 80-3560, FA-69, "KB", MLU
FA-70 6H-70 Oct 1983 Active 80-3561, FA-70, MLU
FA-71 6H-71 Nov 1983 Active 80-3562, FA-71, 35 years Tiger Meet c/s, MLU, 60 years 350 squadron tail marking
FA-72 6H-72 Oct 1983 Active 80-3563, FA-72, 80 years 2 squadron c/s, "FS", special tail 350sq/Matrix 2008, MLU
FA-73 6H-73 Feb 1984 Oct 2004 80-3564, FA-73, MLU, stored at Weelde, transferred to Royal Joranian Air Force as "145"
FA-74 6H-74 Feb 1984 Dec 2004 80-3565, FA-74, MLU, stored at Weelde, transferred to Royal Joranian Air Force as "146"
FA-75 6H-75 Mar 1984 Apr 2004 80-3566, FA-75, "FS", MLU, stored at Weelde, transferred to Royal Joranian Air Force as "147"
FA-77 6H-77 Mar 1984 Active 80-3568, FA-77, MLU
FA-78 6H-78 Mar 1984 Apr 2004 80-3569, FA-78, MLU, Storage Weelde, 18 Mar 2009, transferred to Royal Joranian Air Force as "149"
FA-80 6H-80 May 1984 Apr 1997 80-3571, FA-80, Tiger tail marking 1993 KB airshow, crashed 29 Apr 1997 at Geetbets.
FA-81 6H-81 May 1984 Active 80-3572, FA-81, MLU
FA-82 6H-82 May 1984 Active 80-3573, FA-82, Tiger Meet 1994 tail marking, MLU
FA-86 6H-86 Aug 1984 Active 80-3577, FA-86, MLU
FA-87 6H-87 Sep 1984 Active 80-3578, FA-87, MLU, Tiger Meet 2004 tail marking, Tiger Meet 2006 tail marking, Tiger Meet 2011 tail markings.
FA-89 6H-89 Nov 1984 Active 80-3580, FA-89, MLU
FA-90 6H-90 Oct 1984 Apr 2004 80-3581, FA-90, MLU, storage Weelde, transferred to Royal Joranian Air Force as "152"
FA-91 6H-91 Oct 1984 Active 80-3582, FA-91, 40 years 23 squadon c/s, "BL", MLU
FA-92 6H-92 Nov 1984 Active 80-6583, FA-92, MLU
FA-93 6H-93 Dec 1984 Dec 2003 80-3584, FA-93, MLU, 1st Belgian MLU tail marking, Tiger Meet 2003 tail marking, crashed 9 Dec 2003 at Marche-en-Famenne 
FA-94 6H-94 Jan 1985 Active 80-3585, FU-94, 40 years 31 Squadron c/s, MLU, Tiger 2005 tail marking, 349 Squadron 65th anniversary tail
FA-95 6H-95 Feb 1985 Active 80-3586, FA-95, Special GD c/s 1985, MLU
FA-96 6H-96 Feb 1985 Jan 2002 80-3578, FA-96, "BL", MLU, crashed 8 Jan 2002 at Wijchmaal/Peer.
FA-98 6H-98 Feb 1988 Active 86-0074, FA-98, Meeting Florennes 1993 tail marking, MLU
FA-100 6H-100 Apr 1988 Jul 2011 86-0076, FA-100, MLU, transferred to Royal Joranian Air Force as "153".
FA-101 6H-101 May 1988 Active 86-0077, FA-101, "FS", MLU, special paint "1Sqn Stingers 90 Years"
FA-102 6H-102 Jun 1988 Active 87-0046, FA-102, MLU
FA-103 6H-103 Jul 1988 Active 87-0047, FA-103, MLU
FA-106 6H-106 Sep 1988 Active 87-0050, FA-106, MLU, 60 years 349 Squadron tail marking
FA-108 6H-108 Dec 1988 Jul 2011 87-0052, FA-108, MLU, transferred to Royal Joranian Air Force as "154"
FA-109 6H-109 Jan 1989 Active 87-0053, FA-109, MLU
FA-110 6H-110 Feb 1989 Active 87-0054, FA-111, 80 years 1 Squadron c/s, "FS", MLU
FA-111 6H-111 Apr 1989 Jul 2011 87-0055, FA-111, 75 years 1 Squadron, MLU, Lion Meet 2002 tail marking, transferred to Royal Joranian Air Force as "155".
FA-112 6H-112 May 1989 Sep 2005 87-0056, FA-112, MLU, Recce Meet tail marking, Crashed in sea off Cornfield Range, (Nl) on 09 Sep 2005.
FA-114 6H-114 Sep 1989 Active 88-0039, FA-114, MLU
FA-115 6H-115 Sep 1989 Jul 2011 88-0040, FA-115, 50 years Kleine Brogel tail marking, 350 Squadron c/s, MLU, transferred to Royal Joranian Air Force as "156".
FA-116 6H-116 Oct 1989 Active 88-0041, FA-116, Tiger Meet 2001 c/s, MLU
FA-117 6H-117 Oct 1989 Active 88-0042, "FS", MLU
FA-118 6H-118 Jan 1990 Active 88-0043, FA-118, "FS", Recce Meet 2002 tail marking, MLU
FA-119 6H-119 Feb 1990 Active 88-0044, FA-119, "FS", MLU
FA-120 6H-120 Mar 1990 Jul 2011 88-0045, FA-120, 75 years 2 squadron c/s, MLU, transferred to Royal Joranian Air Force as "157".
FA-121 6H-121 Apr 1990 Active 88-0046, FA-121, "FS", MLU, 25 years F-16/1 Squadron tail marking
FA-122 6H-122 May 1990 Dec 2003 88-0047, FA-122, "FA-222", MLU, 31 tail marking Lion Meet 2002, crashed 9 Dec 2003 at Marche-en-Famenne.
FA-123 6H-123 Jul 1990 Active 89-0001, FU-123, MLU
FA-124 6H-124 Aug 1990 Active 89-0002, FU-124, "BL", MLU
FA-125 6H-125 Oct 1990 Jul 2011 89-0003, FA-125, MLU, transferred to Royal Joranian Air Force as "158".
FA-126 6H-126 Oct 1990 Active 89-0004, FA-126, 23 squadron tail marking, MLU
FA-127 6H-127 Dec 1990 Active 89-0005, FA-127, Meeting Florennes 1993 tail marking, MLU
FA-128 6H-128 Jan 1991 Active 89-0006, FA-128, "FS", MLU, 25 years F-16/350 squadron
FA-129 6H-129 Feb 1991 Active 89-0007, FA-129, MLU
FA-131 6H-131 Jun 1991 Active 89-0009, FA-131, "FS", MLU, demo aircraft 2007-2008
FA-132 6H-132 May 1991 Active 89-0010, FA-132, "FS", MLU
FA-133 6H-133 Jul 1991 Active 89-0011, FA-133, "FS", MLU, demo aircraft 2005
FA-134 6H-134 Aug 1991 Active 90-0025, FA-134, "FS", MLU, "Airbase Kleine Brogel 60 Years 1945/2005" tail marking
FA-135 6H-135 Aug 1991 Active 90-0026, FA-135, "FS", MLU
FA-136 6H-136 Sep 1991 Active 90-0027, FA-136, "the little last one" tail marking, MLU
A formation of 349 Squadron F-16's over their dispersal at Beauvechain airbase in the early eighties
              Special Features
Rocourt: Where Falcons go to die. (01/2005)
The French "tanker" connection (02/2005)
Departure at Weelde of F-16's acquired by Jordan (02/2007)
When Belgian Falcons become (Royal) Jordanian Falcons (09/2008)
Jordan takes delivery of eight more former Air Component F-16s (03/2009)
More Belgian F-16s become Royal Jordanian Falcons. (07/2011)

 


Supplementary detailed information at

 

Last updated 29/04/12 10:48   Daniel Brackx

brackda@gmail.com