Dutch F-16 fighters conduct huge Elephant Walk at Volkel Air Base

Sixteen RNLAF F-16 fighters sit on the flight line at Volkel Air Base, Netherlands.

On Friday, December 8, 2023, a mass take-off was held at Volkel air base with the last Netherlands Royal Air Force F-16s. There were 16 F-16s on the flight line, of which 13 aircraft ultimately took to the airspace. Two F-16s remained behind on the flight line and one aircraft ultimately did not participate in the flight. This was done to test the readiness and to demonstrate the operational strength.

“Good to show how much air power we can generate in this transition phase.” said the commander of 312 Squadron Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Vreeburg. “It is the last year of the F-16. Furthermore, it is important to monitor the readiness of these devices. The employability is still very high. Not only for this transition phase, but I have never seen it this good in the last twenty years."

Before take-off, a so-called 'Elephant Walk' was organized, during which 14 F-16s slowly drove over the entire runway, before the 13 aircraft finally took off from Volkel air base.

The aircraft that took part in the Elephant Walk flew a 'standard mission' to training areas above the North Sea and the Danish areas. To manage all of this, a team effort was required from all 270 men and women who make up the 312 Squadron. The unit has had this size since the 313 Squadron and most of the 900 Maintenance Squadron were integrated into the 312 Squadron in 2021. Vreeburg: “That merger has really paid off in terms of the deployability of aircraft”

The very first LockheedMartin (General Dynamics) F-16 was delivered to the Royal Netherlands Air Force in 1979. The 312 squadron at Volkel air base will fly the F-16 until approximately September 2024, after which the aircraft will be permanently taken out of service.

This gray day was a bit hampered by low clouds and a light ground fog.