Netherlands says goodbye to F-16

RNLAF F-16 sunset landing, Volkel AB, Netherlands.

On Tuesday, September 24, 2024, the last operational Dutch F-16 flights took place at VLB Volkel (ICAO: EHVK). In the afternoon four F-16s flew and for the occasion a small static show was set up with:

- F-104G Starfighter (predecessor of the F-16)
- F-16 with the “50 years of F-16” tail
- F-16 with the “45 years of Dutch F-16” tail
- Lockheed F-35 (successor to the F-16)

On Friday, September 27, 2024, the formal farewell flights of the F-16 were planned to fly over the air bases where the Dutch F-16s used to be based. But after departure from VLB Volkel (ICAO: EHVK) the weather deteriorated on the way north and the overflight over the North/West of the Netherlands was skipped. After a final passage over VLB Eindhoven, the formation flew back to VLB Volkel for the final landing. During the overhead pass, the formation flew 3-1-2 F-16s, representing the last F-6 squadron 312 “BONZO”. During the flight the ADSB/MODE-S callsigns of the F-16s were: Final, Viper, Flight, 312, Sons, Of, Bonzo. A Belgian F-16B flew past the formation for photos and videos.

During the last F-16 flight, Lieutenant General and Commander of the Royal Air Force André Steur gave a speech in which he emphasized the important role of the F-16 in the Dutch Air Force for 45 years.

Dutch F-16 history, 213 aircraft in 45 years

In the 1970s, the Royal Air Force's Lockheed F-104G Starfighters reached the end of their service life and a successor was needed. After the selection process between the Northrop F-17, the Dassault Mirage F1, the Saab Viggen and the GeneralDynamics F-16, the latter won the competition. And in 1979 the first F-16 entered service at VLB Leeuwarden. When the Northrop NF-5 aircraft of the Dutch Air Force also needed to be replaced in the 1980s; The F-16 was also chosen as successor, resulting in a total of 213 Dutch F-16s. 

After a Mid Life Update, the remaining F-16s were able to fly to complete their 45-year service. And in 2024, the last F-16s were retired when the Lockheed F-35s reached full operational capability in September.

Lieutenant General and Commander of the Air Force André Steur said:

The final farewell to the F-16 is of course quite an emotional moment for a lot of people, but not least for myself. For 36 years, the device was one of the important threads in my life, with which I experienced all kinds of things. Weapon deployment, broadcasts all over the world, exercises and always as part of a wonderful club of people: the Airpower team! At a moment like this, all those memories flash by, the things you have experienced, the capabilities of the aircraft, but especially our staff who have kept the aircraft ready for use for years, the people who have ensured that I am still here. can always tell this story. 30 years of safe flying and safe return home thanks to them! That really means something to me as a person. And of course it was not only a beautiful and sexy aircraft, but also a dream to fly in. An iconic device in every respect. With that drop canopy, you sit on top of the plane. It just gives you a powerful feeling of technology and it is the most beautiful office to work in. So saying goodbye to this plane in the Netherlands is going to cost me a tear. And that as C-LSK I can be part of this special farewell is an honor.

And I think a lot of people are going to miss that box. Despite the critical attitude of some in the beginning, an unprecedented success in all respects for BV Nederland. Not only where national and alliance security is concerned, but what about our position in the alliance, within Europe, employment, the Netherlands as a knowledge country, our native industry, the revenue model. We now see the same pattern again with the F-35. Just as with the introduction of the F-16, there are now critics who have often paid little attention to the crucial role that this aircraft will play on the world stage in the coming decades. I would like to have a cup of coffee with those people in 40 years' time. The F-16 was an absolute highlight for the Netherlands, for our security and that of the Alliance and will live on forever in our memories and in the stories of the people who worked with it.

From this place I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart everyone who has contributed to peace and security with the F-16 in recent decades. Proud of you, proud of what you have achieved together year after year!

Vipers forever!

Text and photos by Alex van Noye and Joris van Boven