RNLAF F16 Farewell

Farewell Falcon Livery in honor of the retirement after 45 years.

The Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) is set to retire the iconic F-16 Fighting Falcon on the 27th of September, marking the end of an era for one of the most versatile and widely used fighter jets in the world. Having faithfully served the RNLAF for an impressive 45 years, the F-16 became a cornerstone of Dutch air defense and a symbol of the country’s aerial prowess. Its sleek design, agility, and combat capabilities made it a favorite among pilots and a critical asset in NATO operations.

Since its introduction in 1979, the F-16 Fighting Falcon has been operated by several squadrons across three major airbases in the Netherlands—Leeuwarden, Twente, and Volkel. Each airbase played a key role in supporting both national and international missions, from safeguarding Dutch airspace to participating in NATO-led operations in conflict zones such as the Balkans, the Middle East, and Afghanistan. The aircraft's unmatched versatility allowed it to excel in both air-to-air combat and ground-attack missions, giving the RNLAF an edge in modern warfare.

Volkel Airbase, home to the 312 Squadron, remains the last stronghold for the F-16 in the Netherlands. The 312 Squadron has proudly carried on the legacy of the Fighting Falcon, continuing to operate the aircraft in its final years of service. Known for their precision and professionalism, the pilots and support crews of the 312 Squadron have been instrumental in ensuring that the F-16 remained combat-ready and effective right up until its retirement. The squadron’s history with the F-16 is rich with accomplishments, from participation in numerous NATO missions to frequent appearances in international airshows where they demonstrated the aircraft’s enduring capabilities.

The F-16 final flightpast at Volkel Air base in a formation in the same numbers as the squadron

The Dutch F-16 Fighting Falcons have had an impressive and active career, being deployed to various places around the world. Over the last 45 years, the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) sent these aircraft to multiple conflict zones, playing a key role in both peacekeeping and combat missions.

One of the first major deployments of the Dutch F-16s was during the Balkan conflicts in the 1990s. They were used to enforce NATO’s no-fly zones over Bosnia and Kosovo to protect civilians during the breakup of the former Yugoslavia. In 1999, during the Kosovo Campaign, Dutch pilot Major Peter Tankink made history by scoring the RNLAF’s first air-to-air kill since World War II. Using an AIM-120A AMRAAM missile, he shot down a Yugoslav MiG-29 fighter jet, marking a proud moment in the Dutch F-16’s history. After the September 11, 2001 attacks, Dutch F-16s were deployed to Afghanistan as part of NATO’s mission to support ground troops and gather intelligence against the Taliban. In 2011, they participated in NATO’s Operation Unified Protector in Libya, enforcing a no-fly zone and conducting airstrikes against Gaddafi’s forces.

From 2014, Dutch F-16s flew combat missions in Iraq and Syria, targeting ISIS with precision airstrikes to weaken their control. They also took part in NATO’s Baltic Air Policing, intercepting Russian planes near Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania following increased tensions with Russia.

As the F-16 retires, its long history of missions in Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Libya, Iraq, and the Baltics will be remembered.

The Dutch F-16s were built by Fokker Industries and SABCA, with maintenance handled at Woensdrecht Air Base in the Netherlands. Dutch pilots received their training at the 148th Fighter Squadron in Tucson, Arizona, where they honed their skills in collaboration with the United States Air Force. This long-standing partnership ended in 2022, marking the conclusion of a significant multinational alliance that had trained NATO’s F-16 pilots for decades.

In the past, the Netherlands sold some of its F-16s to countries like Jordan and Chile. In 2021, there were plans to sell additional F-16s to Draken International, a private company specializing in "red-air" training for air forces, but the deal was later canceled. Now, with the war in Ukraine ongoing, the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) has shifted plans, intending to send their remaining F-16s to Ukraine in order to support their defense efforts

As the retirement of the Dutch F-16s draws near, the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) is preparing to honor the aircraft’s remarkable service with one final tribute. Plans are in place for a special flypast featuring 6 to 8 F-16s, which will soar over key locations that played a significant role in the aircraft’s operational history. This commemorative flight will pass over important airbases such as Volkel, Leeuwarden, and Woensdrecht, where the F-16s were maintained, flown, and supported for decades.

The flypast will also visit other notable locations tied to the F-16’s legacy, including the former Twente Airbase, and possibly significant NATO sites or areas that have been involved in Dutch military operations. This event will serve as a fitting farewell for the iconic aircraft, allowing both service members and the public to witness the F-16s in action one last time before they are retired. It will not only be a celebration of the aircraft's impressive service but also a moment to reflect on its role in safeguarding Dutch and NATO security for nearly half a century.

For the pilots, ground crews, and aviation enthusiasts, this flypast represents a proud, yet bittersweet, moment in Dutch military aviation history—marking the end of an era as the nation transitions to the next generation of fighter jets.

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