#Lockheed F-16AM Fighting Falcon

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Because I was inverted. by Niall Grant Via Flickr: RDAF F-16, Pops some flares during the display at Ronneby

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USA - Air Force Lockheed Martin F-16AM Fighting Falcon photo by Tomohito Mori

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Lockheed Martin completes assembly of the first F-35A Lightning II for Belgium

Fernando Valduga By Fernando Valduga 11/11/2023 - 14:50in Military

Lockheed Martin announced the completion of the final assembly of Belgium's first F-35A Lightning II multifunctional combat aircraft. The announcement, made on November 10, is a significant milestone in the F-35 program for Belgium, a new customer in the expanding global network of F-35 operators.

The aircraft, designated AY-01, is currently in the process of painting application, ground testing and is scheduled for a technical flight. According to Lockheed Martin's schedule, an official presentation of the completed aircraft is scheduled for the end of this year. Belgium, through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) procedure, ordered 34 F-35A Lightning II jets to upgrade its military aviation capabilities.

Initially, these state-of-the-art aircraft will be stationed in the United States and should be relocated to Florennes Air Base in Belgium in 2025. In addition, Belgium plans to operate the F-35A from two bases, with the second base being Kleine-Brogel, which is expected to be operational in 2027.

Belgium's decision in 2018 to opt for the F-35A Lightning II was significantly influenced by the need for cooperation with allies, including the Netherlands, to jointly protect the airspace over the Benelux countries. The Belgian Air Force currently operates Lockheed Martin F-16AM/BM Fighting Falcons, which have been widely used for local and allied missions.

Lockheed Martin has so far delivered almost 1,000 F-35 Lightning II fighters in various versions, accumulating about 750,000 flight hours. The focus now also includes Israel, whose F-35I Adir jets are being actively used in operational combat.

This development not only represents a major update for Belgium's military aviation, but also reinforces the growing global network of F-35 users. With this cutting-edge technology, Belgium should improve its defense capabilities and maintain strong cooperation ties with its NATO allies.

Tags: Military AviationBelgian Air Component wings - Belgian Air ForceF-35 Lightning IILockheed Martin

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Fernando Valduga

Fernando Valduga

Aviation photographer and pilot since 1992, has participated in several events and air operations, such as Cruzex, AirVenture, Dayton Airshow and FIDAE. He has work published in specialized aviation magazines in Brazil and abroad. Uses Canon equipment during his photographic work in the world of aviation.

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F-16 для Украины, или оптимальная утилизация цветного лома в Европе

Истребители Lockheed Martin F-16AM/BM Fighting Falcon из состава 331-й эскадрильи 132-го авиационного крыла ВВС Норвегии на авиабазе Будё, 2017 год (с) Malin Instanes / ВВС НорвегииВ конце августа 2023 года Норвегия приняла решение передать Украине многоцелевые самолёты F-16AM/BM, об этом сообщили норвежские СМИ. Пока решение о передаче самолёта приняли только Нидерланды и Дания. Что касается Ниде... Читать дальше »

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F-16AM E-008 by David ilott Via Flickr: Eskadrille 726, Danish Air Force F-16AM E-008 at RAF Fairford in July 2005.

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FA-86 / 6H-86 - General Dynamics (Lockheed-Martin F-16AM Fighting Falcon) by Laurent Quérité Via Flickr: 80 ans Gusto Belgian Air Force F16 Solo Display 2 Wing Vador BA 115 LFMO Orange Caritat France IMG_7102

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Koninklijke Luchtmacht | Royal Netherlands Air Force 🇳🇱

Lockheed Martin F-16AM Fighting Falcon

Lockheed Martin F-16BM Fighting Falcon

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Romanian Air Force Receives Final F-16AM Fighting Falcon from Portugal

Romanian Air Force Receives Final F-16AM Fighting Falcon from Portugal

The final Lockheed Martin F-16AM Fighting Falcon (serial 1615) combat aircraft acquired by Romania from Portugal was delivered to the Romanian Air Force (FAR, Forțele Aeriene ale României) on 25 March. The fighter departed Monte Real (Portugal) early in the morning towards Aviano air base (Italy), where it made a short stop before continuing to it’s new home base, Borcea/Fetesti, Romania. This…

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Portugal - Air Force - Lockheed F-16AM Fighting Falcon

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Lockheed Martin F-16AM Fighting Falcon, Belgium by HariesAutoMoto

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Lockheed Martin F-16AM Fighting Falcon by JorgePenedo

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Laurent Quérité Follow

FA-86 / 6H-86 - General Dynamics (Lockheed-Martin) F-16AM Fighting Falcon

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E-191 / 6F-18/780191 - General Dynamics (Lockheed-Martin) F-16AM Fighting Falcon

80 ans Gusto

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BA 115

LFMO

Orange Caritat

France

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Laurent Quérité Follow

FA-86 / 6H-86 - General Dynamics (Lockheed-Martin) F-16AM Fighting Falcon

80 ans Gusto

Belgian Air Force

F16 Solo Display

2 Wing

Vador

BA 115

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Starting January 1, 2022, Lightning II will formally assume the domestic functions of Rapid Reaction Alert (QRA) in Evenes, which are currently performed by the Lockheed Martin F-16AM/F-16BM (M-16BM) Fighting Falcons jet fleet of the base in Bodø. Norway intends to retire its remaining F-16AM/BM fighters before the end of this year.

The service declares that in preparation for the F-35A Total Operational Capacity (FOC) declaration - which is scheduled for 2025 - the type will be used for joint training and integration with Norwegian and allied forces. In total, Norway intends to purchase 52 copies of the F-35A with conventional takeoff and landing configuration (CTOL). In the RNoAF service, the type will be used to support a variety of air, land and sea operations in support of Norwegian and allied forces.

“The three new F-35 fighters that arrived in Norway mean that the delivery of six F-35 aircraft per year was maintained. Huge efforts have been made by many players to ensure that the aircraft was delivered as planned in a situation of challenging infection," RNoAF added.

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Poland assumes NATO air policing in Lithuania

Fernando Valduga By Fernando Valduga 12/03/2021 - 4:00 pm in Military

Poland took responsibility for NATO's Baltic Air Policing (BAP) mission at Siauliai Air Base in Lithuania.

The Polish Air Force will safeguard NATO airspace over the Baltic region against activities in the East from November 30 to March 2022, in a standard four-month rotation.

Commander of the Polish Air Force Detachment, Lieutenant Colonel Pawel Stajniak, takes the key from the Portuguese Air Force Detachment Commander, Mj. Emidio Fernandes, and Lieutenant Colonel Niels M. Andersen Danish Task Force Activity Commander. (Photo: NATO)

Responsibility for this NATO mission was handed over to the Polish military, and its Lockheed Martin F-16C/D Block 52+ Fighting Falcons fighters, by the military of the Royal Danish Air Force (RDAF) and Portuguese Air Force, both of which deployed F-16AM/BM (MLU) Fighting Falcons for the region in BAP operations.

Both nations, Portugal and Denmark, have been leading this rotation since August 31, after taking the place of a Spanish Air Force's Eurofighter EF-2000 fighter detachment.

Poland will work closely with the Lithuanian Air Force throughout the rotation. The Polish Air Force has been conducting BAP missions since rotations under NATO initiative began in 2004, with the country serving as the second nation to lead a BAP deployment. Since then, Poland has carried out six rotations as a leading nation in the BAP rotations.

Tags: Military AviationF-16 Fighting FalconNATO Baltic Air Policing MissionPAF - Polish Air Force / Polish Air Force

Fernando Valduga