322 squadron of the Royal Netherlands Air Force based at Leeuwarden air force base has terminated its operations on the F-16 “Fighting Falcon” early July (2021). With the gradual ongoing new deliveries of its successor, the Lockheed Boeing F-35A “Lightning II”, it was time for the squadron to focus only on embedding the new jet in the unit. After 42 years of F-16 operations from the northern located air base, the command and crews of the base had mixed emotions to say goodbye to the jet, which is planned to leave the Dutch air force somewhere in 2024. To commemorate the event at Leeuwarden, several aircraft received full colour markings after they have flown for many years in toned down, general liveries. The decision to have the aircraft in a simple and standard presence was originated by the fact of being tasked for a number of international (NATO) missions throughout the years in which the aircraft rotated regularly between the different squadrons to secure the agreed obligations of available aircraft. For this reason, during the farewell event, marked aircraft included badges of 322 “Polly” squadron as well as 323 “Diana” squadron and the TCA unit (“Transitie en Conversie Afdeling” / Transition and Conversion Unit) all having historical roots at Leeuwarden air force base. The event was attended by former air force pilot Wim Sneek, who flew the first F-16 to Leeuwarden in 1979.
The farewell event, which included some formal ceremonies and a fly-out of the last F-16’s, was originally planned for 1 July. But it was cancelled owing to a shocking accident with Belgian F-16 that caused some major injuries to its pilot. During engine start up, the Belgian F-16, which was temporary based at Leeuwarden for the running international “Weapon Instructors Course 2021”, suddenly accelerated in uncontrolled manner hence forcing the pilot to use his ejection seat at the flight line. On 5 July, the event was re-scheduled, however without any ceremonial aspects. In presence of a small group of squadron members and the media, the last 4 Leeuwarden F-16’s were brought together on the flight line close to the air traffic control tower. After the pilots “walkaround”, pre-flight checks were conducted and then four aircraft made a taxi tour over the base to say goodbye to all the units. After take-off, the F-16s joined in formation over the nearby North Sea for their final farewell pass over Leeuwarden air base. The aircraft continued a low level flight over The Netherlands towards Volkel air force base, their new home until the F-16 will exit the Dutch air force in 2024. The Netherlands acquired a total of 212 F-16s as a replacement for the F-104 Starfighter and later on the NF-5 Freedom Fighter. Forced by several governmental cost cutting initiatives, the F-16 force was reduced considerably down to around 68 serviceable aircraft. Surplus aircraft had found new careers in the air forces of Chile and Jordan.
A recent initiative will take care that the F-16 will not be forgotten at Leeuwarden for the years to come. The F-16 aircraft of the Dutch air force had a serial number“J-259”, which landed at Leeuwarden on 7 June 1979 and it was piloted by Wim Sneek. This aircraft now serves in non-flying status, as an instructional airframe at the depot centre at Woensdrecht air base. The aircraft will be brought back in to its colour scheme and markings of the early years and is expected to be displayed at Leeuwarden in ceremonial events. With the move of the last four F-16s from Leeuwarden, all remaining Dutch F-16s are centralised at the southern located Volkel air force base and will remain there till the end of their career in the Dutch Air Force. The aircraft will become part of local unit 312 squadron. In the final years of Dutch F-16 operations, the 10 aircraft which are based for pilot training at Tucson, Arizona, USA, will also return to Volkel. In the course of 2022, Volkel is expected to receive its first F-35s. With the ongoing new F-35 deliveries, the number of F-16 operations will reduce and consequently also the number of F-16 aircraft. With that knowledge, it was no surprise that the Royal Netherlands Air Force recently announced to have agreed with Draken International based in the USA, to take over 12 F-16s. Draken is a specialised contractor, who offers aggressor “Red Air” training services. The contract further contains an option to take over another 28 F-16s, which will come available around 2024. The agreement with Draken is part of the “F-16 End Life of Type (ELOT) programme”. The Netherlands Air Force will plan a final F-16 farewell event in 2024 to say goodbye to the aircraft which will then have 45 years of service over the Dutch skies and international presence.
Text and photos by Peter ten Berg