F-16 Fighting Falcon

The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a compact, multirole fighter aircraft that is highly maneuverable and has proven itself in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attack, providing a relatively low cost, high performance weapon system for the US Air Force and more than 20 Allied nations. It has flown combat missions in support of Operation Desert Storm, Northern Watch, Southern Watch, Deliberate Force, Allied Force, Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom. The single-seat F-16A first flew in December 1976, and the first operational F-16 was delivered to the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing at Hill AFB, Utah, in January 1979. More than 2,231 F-16s were produced for the US Air Force. The aircraft is distinguished by innovations including fly-by-wire flight controls, reclined seat backs, transparent Heads-up Display panels to aid high-G maneuvering, and high-profile one-piece canopies that give pilots greater visibility. The F-16 S/N 80-0573 was manufactured by General Dynamics, acquired by the Air Force on 8 May 1982, assigned to the Armament Development Center at Eglin AFB, Florida, in May 1982, and later assigned to the 3246th Test Wing at Eglin AFB in September 1989. It is painted in 46th Test Wing colors by the 46th Maintenance Squadron at Eglin AFB, Florida.

Florida · United States