Ukrainian pilots have been training for months in the United States and the UK to operate the Fighting Falcon.
However, the F-16 already has a long and proven combat history.
It was also 50 years ago this past January that the Fighting Falcon made its first flight.
An F-16 Fighting Falcon, assigned to the 354th Fighter Wing, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, in flight during exercise Red Flag-Alaska during 2024. Image: Senior Airman Julia Lebens/U.S. Air Force
While it has been steadily improved and updated, this is a testament to its original design and longevity.
However, it was a moot point.
Each was seeking a replacement for their agingF-104G Starfightersthen in service.
An U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 80th Fighter Squadron takes off from Gwangju Air Base, South Korea. Image: Staff Sgt. Samuel Earick/U.S. Air Force
It quickly evolved into the larger and more capable F-16 Fighting Falcon.
Successive changes have included improved cockpit technologies, avionics, sensors, and weapons.
Great effort was made to ensure the fighter was reliable and easy to maintain.
An F-16 Fighting Falcon and anF-4 Phantom IIfly in formation on January 17, 1980 near Hill Air Force Base. Senior Master Sgt. Phil Lewis/U.S. Air Force
To make room for the second cockpit, the forward fuselage fuel tank and avionics growth space was reduced.
Its all-weather capability further allows it to accurately deliver ordnance during non-visual bombing conditions.
It marked the first significant air-to-ground operation involving the F-16, highlighting its ground-attack capabilities.
Air-to-air right side view of a YF-16 aircraft and a YF-17 aircraft armed with AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles. The YF-17 would later become theF/A-18 Hornet. Image: R.L. House/NARA
Those earlier incidents proved the F-16 Fighting Flacon was a highly agile and capable warbird.
The fighters attacked airfields, military production facilities, Scud missile sites, and other high-value targets.
Several other Fighting Falcons took damage but were able to return to base.
A YF-16 fighter aircraft in a test flight during June 1974. The YF-16 would become the F-16 Fighting Falcon. Image: NARA
In total, seven F-16s were lost during the combat operations of Desert Storm.
To counter that threat, Washington had provided Islamabad with F-16s that could not fire radar-guided beyond-visual range missiles.
Transfer of first F 16 to the Koninklijke Luchtmacht (Royal Netherlands Air Force) on June 6, 1979. Image: Nationaal Archief
A 1983 photograph of the NF-16A Advanced Fighter Technology Integration (AFTI) team. It shows the initial configuration and paint finish of the NF-16A AFTI. Image: NASA/DVIDS
An AGM-119A Penguin anti-ship missile is launched from an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft during a 1991 exercise in Norway. The F-16 is also armed with AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles. Image: NARA
An F-16 escorts Air Force One from Offutt Air Force Base to Andrews Air Force Base on September 11, 2001. Image: NARA
Ground crewman load an AGM-65 Maverick missile onto an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft during Exercise Air Warrior in 1984. Image: Staff Sgt. Bob Simons/U.S. Air Force
Airman 1st Class Rafael Molina lifts a GBU-12 Paveway II guided bomb warhead during a quarterly competition. Image: Samuel King Jr./U.S. Air Force
The F-16 Viper Demonstration Team jet flies in a fighter repainted in the classic YF-16 livery to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the platform’s first flight. Image: Christian Turner/U.S. Air Force
A F-16 of the 40th Flight Test Squadron during a flutter mission at Eglin Air Force Base. The squadron executes fighter developmental tests. Image: Tech. Sgt. John Raven/U.S. Air Force
An F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft escorts a Soviet Tupolev Tu-22M Backfire bomber in 1988. The F-16 is armed with AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles. Image: NARA
Airman Robert Hunt checks an F-16 Falcon loaded with Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) during a pre-mission check during Operation Enduring Freedom. Image: Staff Sgt. Michael Gaddis/U.S. Air Force
Capt. Michael Terry prepares to launch his F-16 at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea on July 9, 2020. Image: Senior Airman Noah Sudolcan/U.S. Air Force
Airmen carry an AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missile toward an F-16. Entering service in 2003, it is used by other aircraft including the F/A-18 Hornet. Image: Samuel King Jr./U.S. Air Force
Staff Sgt. Jessica Zabala ensures the path is clear for an F-16 Fighting Falcon to taxi out to take off at Homestead Air Reserve Base. Image: Tech. Sgt. Lionel Castellano/U.S. Air Force
A left side view of an F-16A Fighting Falcon aircraft on a training flight out of Nellis Air Force Base. Image: Ken Hackman/U.S. Air Force
An airman marshals a 555th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon after arriving at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates. Image: Tech. Sgt. Alex Fox Echols III/U.S. Air Force
An Iraqi Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon conducts a training mission over Iraq May 26, 2019. Image: Master Sgt. Russ Scalf/U.S. Air Force
At Flesland Air Station in Norway, a row of AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missile systems wait to be loaded during the first overseas deployment of the F-16. Image: Master Sgt. Don Sutherland/U.S. Air Force
F-16 Fighting Falcons from Eglin Air Force Base fly over a high school football game in Niceville, Florida. Image: Master Sgt. Tristan McIntire/U.S. Air Force
