“The Netherlands said goodbye to the F-16: Fighters that served for 45 years are transferred to Ukraine The Netherlands officially said goodbye to the F-16 after 45 years of service. The last 14 fighters will be transferred to Ukraine, and 18 are used to train Ukrainian pilots in Romania.”, — write on: unn.ua
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The Ministry of Defense of the Netherlands has officially said goodbye to the F-16 Fighting Falcon, which proved their effectiveness in military operations for 45 years. The first of 213 fighters arrived at Leeuwarden Air Force Base on June 6, 1979, replacing the aging F-104 Starfighter.
During their service, the F-16 participated in numerous international missions, including NATO operations in the former Yugoslavia in 1993, as well as military campaigns in Afghanistan, Libya and Jordan. The fighters have repeatedly performed important tasks in the conditions of hostilities, demonstrating high skill and professionalism.
During the ceremony, the last eight aircraft flew over the Netherlands, marking the end of the F-16 era in the Netherlands. However, their story is not over yet. Of the remaining 14 unsold or decommissioned aircraft, 18 are now in Romania, where not only Romanian but also Ukrainian pilots are being trained.
The Netherlands also decided to present Ukraine with the latest F-16s, which emphasizes their support in the fight against Russian aggression.
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