On September 8th 2023 the first ever Belgian Airforce F-16AM was withdrawn from use after reaching the 8000 hour milestone. F-16AM with serial FA-95 made its final flight at Kleine Brogel airbase and was witnessed by hundreds of aviation enthousiasts visiting the spotters day prior to the Belgian Airforce Days 2023.
The F-16 Fighting Falcon was developed in the 70s by General Dynamics and found its place in Belgium aviation through the Multi-National Fighter Program. The decision was made in 1975 to replace the aging F-104 Starfighter with the Fighting Falcon. The Belgian F-16 fleet, which still numbers some 50 operational aircraft, is set to shrink over the years, with withdrawals scheduled for around 2029.
The FA-95 emerged from the SACBA factory in January 1985. The acceptance flight for the FA-95 took place on January 28th 1995 and was flown by Serge Martin, a factory test pilot at SABCA. It was flown towards Kleine Brogel on February 18th 1985,flying its first mission on March 18th 1985.
After more than 38 years of active service and nearly 6500 flights, the FA-95 reached its 8000th flighthours. Beyond this limit there is no assurance of structural integrity, and aircraft safety.
Playing a crucial role in numerous exercises and military operations, the FA-95 was deployed towards Afghanistan, Libya and Jordan, providing close air support over Iraq and Syria while operating out of Jordan. Together with the Netherlands Airforce it ensured the Quick Reaction Alert tasks over The Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg and provided the necessary missions above the Baltic States ensuring Baltic Air Policing.
The past 38 years it served in the 23rd, 31st and 349th squadron belonging tot the 10th Tactical Wing at Kleine Brogel and made a short sidestep joining the 2nd Tactical Wing at Florennes.
The FA-95 received a final paint design made by Thomas Vercauteren and Tiziano Romano, featuring reaching the 8000 hour milestone.
Although shutting down its engine on september 8th 2023, the FA-95 will continue its existence as a training aircraft, contributing to the education of a new generation of technical personnel.
