A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon flies over Afghanistan, March 17, 2020. The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a compact, multi-role fighter aircraft that delivers war- winning airpower to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Matthew Lotz)
WSEPE23-08 An F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot with the 55th Fighter Squadron, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., poses for a photo during Weapons System Evaluation Program-East 23.08 at Tyndall AFB, Fla., May 17, 2023. Eligible active-duty aviators have until Sept. 15, 2023 to apply for the fiscal year 2023 Aviation Bonus Program; Air Force officials announced the Legacy Aviation Bonus Program will open June 6, 2023. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tiffany Del Oso)
An F-16 Fighting Falcon performs a flyby maneuver An F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 120th Fighter Squadron performs a flyby maneuver over the runway after returning from a practice alert scramble intended to enhance proficiency training for pilots and crew at Buckley Air Force Base, Colo., March 31, 2020. While many members of the 140th Wing, Colorado Air National Guard, are currently under a stay-at-home order due to the COVID-19 virus, there are still a number of essential personnel working to keep the mission going during this unprecedented time in our nation’s history. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. John Rohrer)
Falcon on patrol A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 77th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, flies a combat patrol mission within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Feb. 13, 2023. The fighter aircraft routinely conduct patrols within the CENTCOM AOR to provide combat airpower and ensure regional security and stability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Daniel Asselta)
220423-Z-HF355-2270 An F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 187th Fighter Wing prepares to taxi on the flightline at Avon Park, Fla., April 23, 2022, during exercise Southern Strike 2022. The exercise is a test of the joint team’s ability to conduct major campaign, crisis response and security cooperation operations. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by 1st Lt. Kiara N. Spann)
Desert inversion An F-16 Fighting Falcon, assigned to the 179th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, carries out aerial operations in the U.S. Air Forces Central area of responsibility, June 19, 2022. The 179th EFS delivers airpower and showcases U.S. commitment to deterrence and regional stability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Matthew Plew)
RF-A 15-3 ops in high gear An F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 179th Fighter Squadron at Duluth Air National Guard Base, Minn., takes off from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Aug. 10, 2015, during Red Flag-Alaska 15-3. RF-A is a series of Pacific Air Forces field training exercises for U.S. and partner nation forces, providing combined offensive counter-air, interdiction, close air support and large force employment training in a simulated combat environment. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Ashley Nicole Taylor)
An F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 140th Wing, Colorado Air National Guard, touches down on the runway at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, Feb. 15, 2015. The jets, along with more than 200 Airmen, are temporarily stationed at Kunsan for three to four months as part of a rotational Theater Security Package. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Taylor Curry)
Air-to-air refueling An F-16 Fighting Falcon, assigned to the 64th Aggressor Squadron, conducts air-to-air refueling with a KC-135 Stratotanker during U.S. Air Force Weapons School Integration at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Nov. 28, 2022. The U.S. Air Force Weapons School trains tactical experts and leaders to control and exploit air, space and cyber on behalf of the joint force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Zachary Rufus)
Fueling a Falcon An F-16 Fighting Falcon moves into position to receive fuel from a 168th Air Refueling Wing KC-135 Stratotanker during exercise RED FLAG-Alaska 23-1 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Oct. 20, 2022. RF-A is a two-week advanced aerial combat training exercise which aims to offer realistic air-combat training for military pilots and other flight crew members from the United States and allied countries. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman David Phaff)
Inverted Viper Maj. Garret ‘Toro’ Schmitz, F-16 Viper Demonstration Team (VDT) commander and pilot, performs a four-point turn during practice at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, Feb. 2, 2022. The VDT plays a significant role in not only maintaining community relations for the Air Force, but also in recruiting future members of our service. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Madeline Herzog)
March weapons system evaluation program An F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 49th Wing at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., fires an AIM-9M Sidewinder during training and evaluation at Weapons System Evaluation Program-East, March 10, 2021, at Tyndall AFB, Fla. WSEPs are held to evaluate air-to-ground and air-to-air weapons systems on behalf of Air Combat Command. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Savanah Bray)
Flare An F-16 Fighting Falcon releases a flare over Grand Bay Bombing and Gunnery Range at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., March 4, 2016. Multiple aircraft within Air Combat Command conducted joint aerial training that showcased tactical air and ground maneuvers as well as weapons capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Brian J. Valencia)
A fighting falcon An F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 18th Aggressor Squadron, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, flies over the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex during exercise Red Flag-Alaska 22-1, May 12, 2022. The JPARC provides more than 77,000 square miles of airspace, making it the world’s largest instrumented air, ground and electronic combat training range. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Shelimar Rivera Rosado)
To Infinity and Beyond A Royal Netherlands Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon flies a training mission over Tucson, Ariz. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Jeffrey Allen)
Airpower Foundations Combined Test Force Ready for Flight at Edwards An F-16 Block 70 aircraft flies in the skies above Edwards Air Force Base, California, March 28, 2023. The newest variant of the fighter jet is being tested by the newly-renamed Airpower Foundations Combined Test Force at Edwards AFB. (Air Force photo by Christian Turner)