The Netherlands will bid farewell to the F-16 on Friday, September 27, 2024. On that evening, the last aircraft will perform a farewell flight over the Netherlands. The official farewell ceremony will take place at Volkel Air Base.
A formation of several F-16s will take off at 13:00 and fly over:
- Volkel (punto de partida)
- De Peel
- Twente
- Leeuwarden
- Vlieland
- Puesto de control de operaciones aéreas Nieuw Milligen
- Soesterberg
- La Haya
- Woensdrecht
- Breda
- Gilze-Rijen
- Eindhoven
- Volkel (fin de vuelo)
The formation of F-16 fighters will mainly fly over locations where they have been active. The ceremony will be streamed live on YouTube. The route and flight times may change due to circumstances.
“Farewell Falcon, 45 years in the service of the Netherlands
Since its induction in 1979, the F-16 Fighting Falcon has been a mainstay of the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF). However, after decades of uninterrupted service, the RNLAF is now bidding farewell to this iconic fighter, which was replaced by the Lockheed Martin F-35. To commemorate its 45-year history of guarding the skies of the Netherlands and Europe, the documentary series “Farewell Falcon” was produced, tracing the career of this multirole aircraft from its arrival in Dutch skies to its imminent retirement.
A milestone for Dutch aviation
Since its introduction in 1979, the F-16 marked a before and after in the capabilities of the Dutch Air Force. Its innovative design, which included a bubble cockpit and side control stick, positioned it as one of the most advanced fighters of its generation. The documentary series explores in detail how this aircraft revolutionized Dutch air operations, highlighting its versatility in air superiority, ground attack and reconnaissance missions.
Challenges and evolutions
Throughout its more than four decades of service, the F-16 was not without its challenges. The documentary series transparently addresses the accidents that occurred during the early years of operation, as well as the constant upgrades and modifications the fighter underwent to stay ahead of the curve. The so-called “midlife update” (MLU) in the late 1990s, which significantly transformed the aircraft’s interior, is one of the focal points of the series.
First-hand testimonials
One of the highlights of “Farewell Falcon” are the testimonials of pilots and maintenance personnel who worked closely with the F-16. Their accounts provide an intimate look at life aboard this fighter, the challenges they faced and the satisfactions it brought them.
An indelible legacy
The F-16 Fighting Falcon left an indelible mark on Dutch aviation history. Its retirement marks the end of an era and opens a new chapter in the evolution of the Netherlands’ air capabilities. The documentary series “Farewell Falcon” is a tribute to this extraordinary aircraft and to all those who contributed to its legacy.
