Farewell KLu F-16
On 27 September 2024, the Koninklijke Luchtmacht (KLu, Royal Netherlands Air Force) marked the end of an era with the official retirement of the F-16 Fighting Falcon. This iconic aircraft, which has been a cornerstone of Dutch military aviation for over four decades, took its final flight, symbolising a significant transition in the KLu's capabilities.
To commemorate the retirement, a formation of 312 Squadron F-16s performed a farewell flight: The "Bonzo flight" consisting of the J-062, J-197, J-013, J-008 took off at 13:44 hrs LT together with the "Epic flight" using the J-515 and the J-006. "Epic 3 and 4" with the J-641 and J-512 followed 20 minutes later.
The weather played a big role during the F-16 farewell flight. The route was originally planned to fly past significant places before returning to Volkel but unfortunately a large part of the route, mainly over the west of the Netherlands, had to be scrapped as the weather was very poor with low clouds and rain showers. Twenthe was reached and the formation flew onto Eelde, but just west of Groningen turned round and flew south again, skipping Leeuwarden, Vlieland, Nieuw Milligen, Soesterberg and The Hague, much to the dismay of the people waiting there in the pouring rain.
At exactly 15:12 hrs (3:12), not a coincidence, the formation with three aircraft up front, one in the middle and two F-16s at the end flew over the 312 Squadron building. Two other Vipers came from the other direction and gave the waiting aviation enthousiasts a thrilling fly-by.
After touchdown all Vipers were welcomed with a firetruck shower salute.
As the last F-16s are phased out, some will find new life in Ukraine, where they will be used to bolster defence capabilities, while others will serve in training roles abroad. The legacy of the F-16 in the KLu will be remembered for its significant contributions to national and international security, its role in peacekeeping missions, and its enduring presence in the skies.
Credit photos: Fred van Horrik and Frank Noort