Hellenic Air Force F-16V ready to depart to USA

Weather conditions permitting, the Hellenic Air Force Lockheed F-16C-52+ Fighting Falcon, serial 005, will depart Tanagra air base (Greece) to SABCA, Gosselies (Belgium) on 4 February 2021.

At Gosselies, the F-16V will be joined by two, possibly three US Air Force F-16s (originating from Shaw AFB, SC) for the ferry flight to the USA. The following two Shaw AFB 20th Fighter Wing/79th Fighter Squadron F-16CMs are reported to join the ferry flight; 91-0379/SW and 00-0226/SW. It is possible that the third Shaw AFB F-16, serial 90-0826, will join. The Shaw aircraft were overhauled at SABCA and are ready for their return to CONUS.

In the USA, the Greek F-16V will receive some additional upgrades and Lockheed Martin certification of the work done by Hellenic Aerospace Industries (HAI). In that way HAI will be cleared to proceed with the F-16V upgrade on excisting HAF F-16C/Ds. Greece awarded Lockheed Martin a USD 280 million contract to upgrade the air force’s fleet of F-16C-52+ and F-16D-52+ over the next seven years. These F-16s will be upgraded to the Block 70/72 Viper configuration. The modernisation of 84 F-16s in the "Viper" version is expected to be completed by 2027.

As you can see on the photo, the Greek flag on the tail has been covered and the USAF stars and bars have been, although still covered, applied.