Final KLu F-16 B-Course
Since 1990, the initial Koninklijke Luchtmacht (KLu, Royal Netherlands Air Force) F-16 training is carried out in the USA. Most of the time, this training was carried out in cooperation with the 148th Fighter Squadron / 162nd Fighter Wing at Tucson International Airport (AZ). This location is excellent for training because of the sunny and dry climate which guaranteed a lot of acceptable flying days.
However, since the arrival and introduction of the F-35A Lightning II, the KLu has no need for F-16 training anymore. The F-35A training is carried out at nearby Luke AFB (AZ).
Despite this, a small number of new F-16 pilots are still carrying out their initial F-16 training at Tucson and on 27 April 2022 a detachment travelled to Naval Air Station Key West (FL) for the two-week F-16 overwater training.
This training is an essential part of the B-Course, so each class will be temporary stationed at Key West to finalise this part of the initial F-16 training. While flying over open waters, there are no ground references such as cars, buildings, and terrain to determine altitude. This training is crucial in preparing the students for their return home to the Netherlands where most flying occurs over open waters.
During this deployment, the detachment was carried out in cooperation with the 197th Air Refuelling Squadron/161st Air Refuelling Wing flying the KC-135R Stratotanker from Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl (AZ). Transport of the necessary spare parts and Ground Support Equipment (GSE) was taken care of by a C-17A Globemaster III. The 148th FS sent six of their F-16s to Key West to carry out the overwater training and to train together with temporary based F-18E/F Super Hornets.
The training ended in the second week of May 2022 and (sadly) this was the last KLu F-16 overwater training. After a graduation ceremony at Tucson Int. this final F-16 pilot class will return to the Netherlands and the KLu facility with the 148th FS will close. The remaining F-16s will be phased-out.
The following RNLAF F-16s are based with the 148th FS:
Photo by Tech. Sgt. George Keck / US Air National Guard