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.

In April 2013, Leeuwarden Air Base was once again hosting the international exercise “Frisian Flag”. For two weeks, aircraft from various countries had practising their skills at air defence missions as well as air strikes against ground targets. Frisian Flag 2013 is heavily focused on international cooperation. Apart from the airforces from the various participating nations, this was an exercise in cooperation between the various tactical air commands and tactical air control agencies. The organisation of Frisian Flag is the responsibility of the 323 Sqn TACTES (Tactical Training, Evaluation and Standardisation) at Leeuwarden Air Base. About 55 aircraft were at the flight line of Leeuwarden Air Base, with sorties being flown twice a day with approximately 40 aircraft. Participants were Dutch F-16MLU from the two Air Bases of Leeuwarden and Volkel, Belgian F-16MLU, German EF-2000, F-16C 52 from Poland, JAS-39C Gripen from Sweden, Mirage F1CR and Mirage 2000C from France. Dutch KDC-10s and GAF A 310 MRTT were taking part as tanker aircraft and AWACS units from the NATO as flying radar platforms. The missions were flown during Frisian Flag 2013 have included air defence missions, offensive missions, missions to protect other aircraft(air transport, AWACS or other aircraftthat do not have self-protection equipment) and the elimination of static and dynamic targets on the ground or at sea. The name “Frisian Flag” was chosen as a reference to various other international exercises of a similar nature, which all featured the word “Flag” in their name, such as “Red Flag”(in the USA) and “Maple Flag” (in Canada). “Red Flag” refers to the red flag that is hoisted as an exercise range whenever any service unit is activ within that area. In the name “Frisian Flag” reference is made to the province of Friesland, the home of the hosting air base. 

Leeuwarden Air Base (Dutch: Vliegbasis Leeuwarden) is a military airbase used by the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) - Dutch: Koninklijke Luchtmacht (KLu), (IATA: LWR, ICAO: EHLW). The airbase was formerly one of the two F-16 Fighting Falcon bases of the RNLAF. The airbase lies northwest of the capital of Friesland, Leeuwarden. Leeuwarden Air Base is also one of the three military airbases (together with Gilze-Rijen Air Base and Volkel Air Base) that organise the twice-in-three-years Luchtmachtdagen ('Air Force Days') of the Royal Netherlands Air Force, consisting of air shows and static exhibits. In 2006, 2008, 2011 and 2016 Leeuwarden Air Base hosted these public demonstration days. Leeuwarden Air Base was one of two Royal Netherlands Air Force F-16AM Fighting Falcon bases, which are being replaced by F-35A Lightning II, the first of which arrived at Leeuwarden on 31 October 2019. The base is the location of the Fighter Weapons Instructor Training (FWIT) and the annual multinational NATO exercise "Frisian Flag". On 31 March 2015 six F-15C's from the 125th Fighter Wing of the Florida Air National Guard landed at Leeuwarden Air Base to take part in Frisian Flag 2015. Four MQ-9 Reapers with a Ground Station will be fully air-deployable and self-supporting for global operations will be based at Leeuwarden from 2020. Future use by public services related to homeland security and surveillance (including the National Police; and customs, naval and environmental surveillance) is also planned..

**eBay REQUIRES ORDER BE SENT WITH TRACKING, PLEASE SELECT USPS 1ST CLASS SERVICE w/TRACKING**

FREE 30-day No-Question return

ALL US-MADE PATCHES HAVE LIFETIME WARRANTY

We do not compete price with cheap import copies.

Watch out for cheap import copies with cut-throat price; 

We beat cheap copies with Original design, US-Made Quality and customer services.

Once a customer, a LIFETIME of services