25/09/2024
On September 24th 2024, the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNlAF) accomodated a group of around 200, mostly local, aviation enthousiasts on Volkel AB to witness the end of an era in the Dutch skies. On September 27th 2024 the RNlAF will end its Lockheed Martin F-16 operations, after having received the first F-16B in 1979. The F-16s are currenly being replaced by the Lockheed Martin F-35A, which have taken over all tasks of the F-16 in the past years. The enthousiasts were treated with the take off and landing of 4 of the last operational F-16s and also a small line up which included F-16AM J-197 of 312sq (the final F-16 operator within the RNlAF) which has been given the last special painted tail commemorating the 45 years of F-16 service in The Netherlands. All Photos © (Hermen Goud)