The General Dynamics (now Lockheed Martin) F-16 Fighting Falcon is a single-engine multirole fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force (USAF). Designed as anair superiority day fighter, it evolved into a successful all-weather multirole aircraft. Over 4,500 aircraft have been built since production was approved in 1976. Although no longer being purchased by the U.S. Air Force, improved versions are still being built for export customers. In 1993, General Dynamics sold its aircraft manufacturing business to the Lockheed Corporation, which in turn became part of Lockheed Martinafter a 1995 merger with Martin Marietta. The Fighting Falcon has key features including a frameless bubble canopy for better visibility, side-mounted control stick to ease control while maneuvering, a seat reclined 30 degrees to reduce the effect of g-forces on the pilot, and the first use of a relaxed static stability/fly-by-wire flight control system which helps to make it a nimble aircraft. The F-16 has an internal M61 Vulcan cannon and 11 locations for mounting weapons and other mission equipment. The F-16's official name is "Fighting Falcon", but "Viper" is commonly used by its pilots, due to a perceived resemblance to a viper snake as well as the Battlestar GalacticaColonial Viper starfighter. In addition to active duty U.S. Air Force, Air Force Reserve Command, and Air National Guard units, the aircraft is also used by the USAF aerial demonstration team, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, and as an adversary/aggressor aircraft by the United States Navy. The F-16 has also been procured to serve in the air forces of 25 other nations. The squadron started receiving their first F-16s in 1991. These were of the block 25 type, replacing the venerable F-4 in the air defense and attack roles. Most of these airframes came from the 50th TFW based at Hahn AFB, Germany, which was trading in their block 25s for more advanced block 30 airframes. The squadron, although an ANG unit – which are mostly tasked with air defense of US mainland – was tasked with air defense as with a conventional attack mission. F-16s of the 113th FS were seen very often practicing with AGM-65 ‘Maverick’ missiles in the anti-tank role. Since the squadron wasn’t equipped with any kind of targeting pod (these were privileged at that time for the block 40/42 units) the target illumination had to be done by other aircraft. In 1995 the squadron received block 30 airframes to replace the older block 25. These came from other guard units being re-equipped with more modern material, in this case mainly the 174th FS. The tasking of the squadron remained exactly the same. This time the squadron was gradually receiving more advanced electronics (LANTIRN pods) and weaponry (AIM-120, GBU-30,…). This eventually resulted in the squadron performing in a more multirole environment. The squadron was also sent abroad on a rotational basis, flying both Operation Northern and Southern Watch missions.
On 17/5/2004 F-16C 86-0260 collided in mid-air over Wabash River, 40 miles southwest of Terre Haute, on the borders of Illinois and south western Indiana, at about 1:40pm with F-16C (85-1555), destroying both aircraft. Both aircraft were from the 181st FW, 113th FS. Pilot of 85-1555, Maj. William E. Burchett, didn't survive the accident. Witnesses said his parachute did not open fully, but he was killed at impact, ejection seat fired by itself. The other pilot, Maj. Thomas R. Sims, in 86-0260, parachuted to safety. He was taken by ambulance to a Hospital. .

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