The F-16 Fighting Falcon was produced by General Dynamics who became Lockheed who then merged with Martin Marietta to become Lockheed Martin. The F-16 entered service in January 1979 as a multi-role jet fighter that evolved into an all-weather multi-role aircraft capable of sustaining 9-g turns. The F-16 is relatively inexpensive to purchase and maintain so the U.S. and 25 other countries added it to their inventory. The Fighting Falcon is referred to by its pilots as the “Viper” and will remain in USAF service until 2025.

From June 16th until 30th 2022 the 2022 annual Anatolian Eagle (AE-22) exercise was held at the 3rd Main Jet Base Command in Konya, Turkey. The exercise was attended by 6 international air forces using about 50 aircraft. This is similar to the NATO and Tiger Meet of the Americas was carried out using opposing forces in high threat situations. Attending this exercise from Pakistan was F-16BM 84606 from the 11th Squadron (Arrows) that was delivered in December 1983 and on February 27, 2019 shot down an Indian Air Force Su-30.

Info:     F-16BM "Su-30 Killer" 84606, Pakistan Air Force, 2022