13 April 1972 USAF selects General Dynamics Model 401-16B and the Northrop P-600 as candidates for its Air Combat Fighter program and signs contracts for two YF-16s.
13 December 1973 Rollout of prototype YF-16 Number One, No. 72-1567, at General Dynamics' Fort Worth facility.
8 January 1974 The prototype YF-16 (No. 72-1567) is airfreighted by C-5 from Fort Worth to Edwards AFB.
20 January 1974 Unintentional first flight of the first YF-16 (No. 72-1567), a short hop around the pattern at the hands of test pilot Phil Oestricher.
2 February 1974 Official first flight of the YF-16 prototype (No. 72-1567), with test pilot Phil Oestricher at the controls, reaching 400 mph and 30,000 feet.
9 May 1974 YF-16 no 2 (No. 72-1568) is flown for the first time with test pilot Neil Anderson at the controls.
13 January 1975 Air Force Secretary John McLucas announced that the YF-16 had been selected as the winner of the Air Combat Fighter contest. The Air Force placed a contract for fifteen Full-Scale Development, or FSD, airframes, a number that was later reduced to eight (six F-16As and two F-16Bs).
15 January 1975 US Air Force selects F-16 as its air combat fighter and announces plans to procure at least 650 aircraft.
31 January 1975 YF-16 Lightweight Fighter evaluation completed.
10 February 1975 Preliminary design review of F-16 begins.
22 April 1975 The F-16 design enters critical design review phase.
8 May 1975 Neil Anderson belly landed the first YF-16 prototype on the grass at Fort Worth, Texas, after one of the main gear tires got stuck in the wheel well during a practice flight for the Paris Air Show.
May 1975 First transatlantic flight by the YF-16 — to attend the Paris Air Show.
29 June 1975 Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and the Netherlands announce plans to buy 348 F-16s.
21 July 1975 Belgium orders 116 F-16s. Denmark orders fifty-eight. Norway orders seventy-two. The Netherlands orders 102.
8 August 1975 F-16 manufacturing begins.
7 September 1975 A proposal for F-16 for Canada is submitted.
3 December 1975 First assembly fixture for production is loaded.
18 December 1975 Assembly of the first F-16 begins.
16 March 1976 General Dynamics test pilot David J. Thigpen is at the controls for the maiden flight of F-16/CCV, which is a modification of YF-16 No. 1. CCV aircraft have independent or decoupled flight control surfaces that make it possible to maneuver in one plane without movement in another. The CCV YF-16 was fitted with twin vertical canards added underneath the air intake. The flight controls were modified to permit use of wing trailing edge flaperons acting in combination with the all-moving stabilator. The fuel system was adapted so that the aircraft center of gravity could be adjusted by transferring fuel from one tank to another.
6 May 1976 The mating of the fuselage of the first F-16 began.
22 July 1976 The first European co-production contract was signed.
20 October 1976 F-16A FSD No. 1 (No. 75-0745), the first full-scale development aircraft, rolled out at Fort Worth, Texas.
27 October 1976 Iran orders 160 F-16s and takes an option on 140 more in a program called Peace Zebra. The order was cancelled in 1979 with the fall of the Shah.
8 December 1976 The first flight of the first FSD F-16A (No. 75-0745).
29 January 1977 USAF announces plans for an additional 783 F-16s.
11 May 1977 USAF Col. Jim Rider is at the controls for the first non-stop unrefueled flight by an F-16 across the United States.
3 June 1977 The first FSD F-16 with complete avionics equipment arrives at Edwards AFB, California.
31 June 1977 The last flight of the YF-16/CCV, after logging eighty-seven sorties and 125 flight hours.
8 August 1977 Maiden flight of the first FSD F-16B (No. 75-0751).
26 August 1977 First two-seat F-16 arrives at Edwards AFB.
26 October 1977 Department of Defense endorses F-16 full-scale production.
8 November 1977 F-16 prototype launches an all-weather AIM-7F Sparrow missiles for the first time.
15 February 1978 Fuselage components arrived at first European F-16 final assembly at SONACA/SABCA in Belgium.
April 1978 The second European assembly line opened at Fokker-VFW in the Netherlands.
21 July 1978 Assemblers attached first major European-produced F-16 components (wings from Belgium) to a USAF F-16.
10 August 1978 The F-16 becomes the first single-seat fighter to achieve accurate, unassisted delivery of laser-guided weapons.
16 August 1978 Israel orders seventy-five F-16s (Peace Marble I) becoming the sixth customer.
18 August 1978 First production F-16A Block 1 (No. 78-0001) is delivered to the USAF.
6 September 1978 First production F-16 arrives at Edwards AFB, following a two-hour flight from the factory in Fort Worth.
17 October 1978 First production F-16B Block 1 (No. 78-0077) is delivered to the USAF.
11 December 1978 First flight of the first Belgian built F-16 (No. FB-01) with SABCA test pilot Serge Martin at the controls and GD test pilot Neil Anderson riding in the backseat.
1 January 1979 The USAF's 16th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron activates at Hill AFB, Utah, in anticipation of receiving the F-16.
23 January 1979 USAF's 388th Tactical Fighter Wing at Hill AFB, Utah, is the first active Air Force unit to receive the F-16 Fighting Falcon.
26 January 1979 BAF accepts first F-16 produced by a European assembly line (No. FB-01).
3 May 1979 First flight of the first Dutch built F-16 (No. J-259) with Fokker test pilot Henk Temmen at the controls.
7 May 1979 Three F-16s complete four-month-long environmental and operational test program in Europe.
10 May 1979 The first Dutch-assembled F-16 completes maiden flight.
11 May 1979 F-16A No. 78-0007, the first F-16 built on the assembly line, is delivered. All previous F-16s (sixteen total) were built by hand.
5 June 1979 The Royal Netherlands Air Force accepts its first F-16.
9 August 1979 First crash of an F-16. A Belgian air force pilot, part of the 16 TFTS (OT&E), flew a USAF aircraft (No. 78-0078) into the ground during final approach.
15 September 1979 Firing M61 A1 Vulcan gun temporarily forbidden for all 106 operational F-16s delivered to date after it was discovered that vibrations from the firing gun result in uncommanded yaw movements.
25 September 1979 First production F-16B Block 5 (No. 78-0099) is delivered to the USAF.
9 October 1979 First production F-16A Block 5 (No. 78-0022) is delivered to the USAF.
20 December 1979 IDFAF accepts first F-16 from Peace Marble I order, following an 11-hour, 6,000-mile ferry flight from Pease Air Force Base, New Hampshire.
15 January 1980 RNoAF accepts first F-16.
17 January 1980 RDAF accepts first F-16.
8 March 1980 The Netherlands order an additional 111 F-16s.
16 May 1980 First production F-16A Block 10 (No. 79-0289) is delivered to the USAF.
25 June 1980 Egypt orders forty-two F-16s (Peace Vector I) becoming the 7th customer.
21 July 1980 The official naming ceremony for the F-16 was held at Hill AFB in Utah. At the ceremony F-16A No. 79-0290 sported a special logo painted by local (Salt Lake City, Utah) artists Matt and Mark Waki.
25 October 1980 F-16 officially attains initial operational capability - combat ready status - with the U.S. Air Force.
27 October 1980 The F-16 becomes certified to carry nuclear weapons.
29 October 1980 Maiden flight of the F-16/79 (No. 50752) intermediate fighter prototype, with James McKinney at the controls.
13 November 1980 First production F-16B Block 10 (No. 79-0420) is delivered to the USAF.
17 December 1980 First flight of the F-16/101 development aircraft.
16 January 1981 Belgian Air Force's 349 squadron becomes the first F-16 fighter squadron to qualify for North Atlantic Treaty Organization service in Europe.
16 January 1981 The F-16/79 intermediate fighter completes development flight test program.
11 February 1981 F-16 launches first Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM).
17 February 1981 First Fighting Falcon is refueled in the air by a KC-10 tanker.
19 March 1981 Twelve 'Fighting Falcons' from 4 TFS return to Hill AFB, Utah, from Flesland AFB, Norway after completing the USAF's first full overseas operational F-16 deployment.
28 April 1981
Israeli F-16s scored the first air-to-air kill by shooting down two Syrian Mi-8 'Hip' helicopters.
6 May 1981
Belgian's 349 squadron is declared fully operational as first European F-16 squadron.
29 May 1981
USAF inaugurates first overseas F-16 base at Kunsan, Korea, with the 8th FW converting from the F-4 to the F-16A/B.
7 June 1981
First F-16 combat use, in Israel's raid on a Iraqi nuclear reactor (Osirak).
1981
F-16s win Royal Air Force precision bombing competition at Lossiemouth, Scotland, scoring 7,831 of a possible 8,000 points.
1981
Egypt orders 40 F-16s (Peace Vector II).
30 July 1981
First production F-16A Block 15 (No. 80-0660) is delivered to the IDFAF.
6 August 1981
An F-16 destroys a F-102 target drone during first guided launch of an all-weather AMRAAM radar-guided missile.
24 October 1981
First production F-16A Block 15 (No. 80-0542) is delivered to the USAF.
16 December 1981
South Korea orders 40 F-16s (Peace Bridge I) becoming the 8th customer.
23 December 1981
Pakistan orders 6 F-16s (Peace Gate I) becoming the 9th customer.
23 December 1981
Pakistan orders 34 F-16s (Peace Gate II).
30 December 1981
USAF inaugurates first European F-16 base at Hahn, Germany, with the 50th TFW converting from the F-4 to the F-16A/B.
31 December 1981
First production F-16B Block 15 (No. 80-0635) is delivered to the USAF.
25 January 1982
Egyptian Air Force accepts first F-16 from Peace Vector I order.
March 1982
USAF announces Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Units will begin receiving the F-16 in 1983.
4 May 1982
Venezuela orders 24 F-16s (Peace Delta) becoming the 10th customer.
8 May 1982
USAF announces that the F-16 will be flown by the Thunderbirds, the USAF flight demonstration squadron.
16 June 1982
200th F-16 assembled in Europe is delivered - 100 each from Fokker Netherlands and from SABCA Belgium.
22 June 1982
USAF Arial Demonstration Squadron receive their first F-16A painted in Thunderbird markings at Nellis AFB, Nevada.
10 July 1982
Maiden flight of the AFTI/F-16 Advanced Fighter Technology Integration aircraft, at Fort Worth.
16 July 1982
Advanced Fighter Technology Integration (AFTI) F-16A (No. 75-0750) arrives at Edwards AFB.
17 July 1982
The first F-16XL, the single-seat No. 75-0749, arrives at Edwards AFB.
20 July 1982
First test flight of F-16XL (No. 75-0749) at Edwards AFB, with James McKinney at the controls.
4 August 1982
First dedicated Advanced Fighter Technology Integration (AFTI) F-16 test flight.
20 August 1982
PAF accepts first F-16 from Peace Gate I order.
29 October 1982
Maiden flight of F-16XL ship no. 2 with two-place cockpit and GE F101 engine, piloted by Alex Wolf and Jim McKinney.
7 November 1982
Transition from T-38A to F-16A by USAF Thunderbirds is completed.
8 November 1982
The second F-16XL (No. 75-0747 (double seat)), arrives at Edwards AFB.
27 January 1983
Maiden Flight of the first of 20 Dutch F-16A(R) aircraft equiped with the Orpheus Recce pod.
8 February 1983
Belgium orders an additional 44 F-16s.
9 February 1983
Luke AFB, Arizona, is activated as a major F-16 pilot training base.
2 April 1983
USAF aerial demonstration squadron, the Thunderbirds, fly first public show with F-16As.
15 May 1983
Official end of comparative fly-off between F-16XL and F-15 in dual-role fighter program. The F-16XL is not destined for production, instead the F-15E is selected.
20 May 1983
US President Ronald Reagan's administration lifts nearly year-long embargo on sale of advanced F-16 fighter planes to Israel, imposed after Israel invaded Lebanon.
July 1983
First F-16 Air National Guard unit (169 FW), based at McEntire ANGB, South Carolina, is activated.
1983
Delivery is made of 1,000th F-16 manufactured to Hill AFB, Utah.
28 July 1983
First F-16 LANTIRN (Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night) system test flight, with targeting pod only.
30 July 1983
Completion of Phase I testing of Advanced Fighter Technology Integration (AFTI) F-16, focusing on development and integration of a new digital flight control system.
8 September 1983
Turkey orders 160 F-16s (Peace Onyx I) becoming the 11th customer.
29 September 1983
FAV accepts first F-16 from Peace Delta order.
22 October 1983
F-16 units place 1st, 2nd and 4th in USAF-wide Gunsmoke '83 bombing and strafing competition.
28 October 1983
Second LANTIRN-equipped F-16 made its first test flight, with both the navigating and targeting pods mounted.
9 November 1983
PAF accepts first F-16 from Peace Gate II order.
14 December 1983
The Dutch Parliament approves purchase of an additional 57 F-16s, bringing its total order to 213.
14 December 1983
Israel orders 75 F-16s (Peace Marble II).
2 January 1984
The 419th Tactical Fighter Wing begins conversion to the F-16, becoming the first AFRES F-16 unit.
12 January 1984
The 419th Tactical Fighter Group is activated at Hill AFB, Utah, becoming the first USAF Reserve F-16 unit.
14 March 1984
USAF pilot Dean Stickell is the first to reach 1,000 hours on the F-16.
19 June 1984
Maiden flight of the first F-16C, a Block 25 aircraft.
6 July 1984
RNlAF accepts first F-16 of follow-on order.
13 July 1984
First F-16C is delivered to USAF.
19 July 1984
First production F-16C Block 25 (No. 83-1118) is delivered to the USAF.
31 July 1984
AFTI/F-16 begins second phase of testing with new avionics and other systems.
5 August 1984
Denmark orders an additional 12 F-16s.
28 September 1984
First production F-16D Block 25 (No. 83-1174) is delivered to the USAF.
5 November 1984
Greece orders 40 F-16s (Peace Xenia I) becoming the 12th customer.
10 January 1985
U.S. Navy selects F-16N as its adversary flight training aircraft. Initial buy is 14, with follow-on for 12 more.
11 January 1985
Singapore orders 12 F-16s (Peace Carvin I) becoming the 13th customer.
26 January 1985
Ramstein AB, West Germany, (USAFE) becomes 28th base worldwide for F-16, first overseas for F-16C/D.
7 February 1985
Formal delivery of the 998th F-16 produced under the multinational co-production program at Gosselies, Belgium.
1985
F-16 units win six of top seven places in USAF GUNSMOKE '85 competition.
17 December 1985
EAF accepts first F-16 from Peace Vector II order.
17 December 1985
First production F-16C Block 32 (No. 84-1332) is delivered to the EAF.
5 January 1986
Worldwide F-16 fleet surpasses one million flight hours.
6 February 1986
USAF increases its planned F-16 acquisition from 2,795 to 3,047.
27 February 1986
RoKAF accepts first F-16 from Peace Bridge I order.
27 February 1986
First production F-16D Block 32 (No. 84-1370) is delivered to the RoKAF.
13 May 1986
Norway orders an additional 2 F-16s.
17 May 1986
A Pakistani F-16 shoots down a Su-22 of the Afghan Air Force, making Pakistan the second country after Israel to put F-16s into military action.
27 June 1986
First production F-16C Block 30 (No. 85-1400) is delivered to the USAF.
30 June 1986
USAF 16th TFS deactivated at Hill AFB, Utah. First operational squadron in the Viper and also the first out of the viper.
11 July 1986
1,000th F-16 - and the 1,572nd manufactured - is delivered to the USAF.
2 August 1986
Indonesia orders 12 F-16s (Peace Bima-Sena) becoming the 14th customer.
3 August 1986
USAF F-16 fleet exceeds 90-percent mission-capable rate for the first month, far exceeding TAC standards.
29 August 1986
First production F-16D Block 30 (No. 85-1509) is delivered to the USAF.
September 1986
The 159th FIS at Jacksonville, Fl, becomes the first ANG unit to assume the Air Defense role with the F-16
1986
USAF signs second Multiyear Procurement agreement, for 720 F-16C/D aircraft to be manufactured in fiscal years 1986-1989.
26 September 1986
IDFAF accepts first F-16 from Peace Marble II order.
October 1986
USAF announces F-16 ADF winner of the Air Defense competition for 270 strategic interceptor aircraft for use with the Air National Guard.
15 December 1986
USAF F-16 fleet exceeds one million flight hours.
15 March 1987
Bahrain orders 12 F-16s (Peace Crown I) becoming the 15th customer.
24 March 1987
Maiden flight of the F-16N. with test pilot Dave Palmer at the controls.
1 April 1987
Both the 68th and 69th Tactical Fighter Squadrons activate with the F-16 at Moody AFB, Georgia.
12 June 1987
First Block 32 F-16C/Ds delivered to USAF for deployment to Luke AFB (AFRES) and Nellis AFB (57 FW).
14 June 1987
19 TFS, Shaw AFB sets new one-day squadron world record of 160 sorties in commemoration of squadron's 70th anniversary.
16 June 1987
First F-16N's delivered to U.S. Navy for Naval Fighter Weapons School (Top Gun) and VF-126 adversary squadron at NAS Miramar.
16 June 1987
US Navy aggressor squadron VF-126 receives its first F-16N at NAS Miramar, California.
1 July 1987
The 944th TFG activates at Luke AFB with new Block 32 F-16C/D's, becoming the first AFRES unit with F-16C/Ds.
8 July 1987
Spangdahlem AB, Germany, activates with F-16C/D's, joining the F-4G Wild Weasels on defense suppression hunter/killer teams.
10 July 1987
TUAF accepts first F-16 from Peace Onyx I order.
September 1987
The AFTI/F-16 program team receives the Air Force Association's 1987 Theodore von Karman Award for most outstanding achievement in science and engineering.
October 1987
Japan announces it has selected a derivative of the F-16C for its FS-X program.
13 October 1987
F-16 teams dominate Gunsmoke '87, USAF's worldwide bombing competition.
16 October 1987
Egypt orders 47 F-16s (Peace Vector III).
25 October 1987
USAF Thunderbirds completed Pacific tour to 14 cities in 10 countries: first show in People's Republic of China, first Pacific tour in F-16, first Pacific tour since 1959.
1987
USAF pilot Sergio Del Hoyo is the first to reach 2,000 hours on the F-16.
12 December 1987
Thailand orders 12 F-16s (Peace Naresuan I) becoming the 16th customer.
31 December 1987
RDAF accepts first F-16 of follow-on order.
31 December 1987
First production F-16A Block 15OCU (No. 85-0141) is delivered to the RNlAF.
31 December 1987
First production F-16B Block 15OCU (No. 86-0197) is delivered to the RDAF.
29 January 1988
BAF accepts first F-16 of follow-on order.
29 January 1988
RSAF accepts first F-16 from Peace Carvin I order.
5 February 1988
F-16 Combined Test Force (CTF) completes testing of Pratt and Whitney F100-PW-220E engine.
20 February 1988
Delivery of the first F-16 for Singapore, also the 2,000th F-16 worldwide
25 March 1988
First flight of TF-16N was performed with Joe Sweeny and Joe Bill Dryden at the controls.
2 May 1988
RTAF accepts first F-16 from Peace Naresuan I order.
3 May 1988
Israel orders 60 F-16s (Peace Marble III).
24 June 1988
F-16 CTF completes testing of the General Electric F110-GE-100 jet engine.
9 September 1988
F-16 fleet reaches 2,000,000th flight hour with simultaneous flights by pilots from Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, and USAFE.
15 November 1988
HAF accepts first F-16 from Peace Xenia I order.
10 December 1988
Block 50 development is authorized after first Block 40 F-16 is delivered.
11 December 1988
Pakistan orders 11 F-16s (Peace Gate III).
29 December 1988
First production F-16C Block 40 (No. 87-0350) is delivered to the USAF.
February 1989
First F-16 Air Defense Fighter retrofit modification is completed.
3 February 1989
The first F-16 Aggressor is delivered in Mig-29 Fulcrum paint scheme.
19 February 1989
The first F-16C Block 40 is deployed to Luke AFB.
23 February 1989
An F-16B ADF test aircraft from the F-16 CTF successfully launches an AIM-7 Sparrow missile, destroying a target drone off the California coast.
23 February 1989
First production F-16D Block 40 (No. 87-0391) is delivered to the USAF.
12 March 1989
F-16XL no. 1 is returned to flight status and delivered to NASA.
28 April 1989
First flight of an F-16 powered by the new Pratt and Whitney F100-PW-229 engine.
30 April 1989
First production F-16C Block 42 (No. 87-0356) is delivered to the USAF.
2 May 1989
An AIM-7 Sparrow missile is launched for the first time from an F-16C following successful F-16A testing.
9 June 1989
F-16 team wins TAC's Long Rifle V bombing competition.
10 June 1989
Multiyear III long-lead funding is authorized for 600 USAF aircraft.
11 June 1989
First dedicated close air support (CAS) unit is activated at Syracuse, New York.
13 June 1989
First production F-16D Block 42 (No. 87-0394) is delivered to the USAF.
30 June 1989
428th Tactical Fighter Squadron disbands at Nellis AFB, Nevada.
21 July 1989
RNoAF accepts first F-16 of follow-on order.
5 September 1989
Pakistan orders 60 F-16s (Peace Gate IV).
8 September 1989
TNI-AU accepts first F-16 from Peace Bima-Sena order.
5 October 1989
F-16 team wins USAFE Excalibur VI bombing competition.
23 October 1989
F-16 teams sweep Gunsmoke '89 bombing and munitions competition.
7 December 1989
2,500th worldwide F-16 is delivered.
14 December 1989
Thailand orders 6 F-16s (Peace Naresuan II).
21 January 1990
Worldwide F-16 fleet surpasses three million flight hours.
27 February 1990
RBAF accepts first F-16 from Peace Crown I order.
3 May 1990
NASA Dryden, co-located at Edwards Air Force Base, completes first flight using an F-16XL for laminar flow studies.
25 June 1990
Completion of flight testing of F-16 Block 40 Global Positioning System.
28 August 1990
The 388th TFW deploys in support of Operation Desert Shield/Storm and becomes the first unit to fly the LANTIRN system in combat.
5 October 1990
64th Aggressor Squadron deactivates at Nellis AFB, Nevada but reactivates again in 2003.
6 October 1990
The US embargoes F-16 deliveries to Pakistan, and a total of 28 Pakistan F-16A/B Block 15OCU aircraft are put in flyable hold storage in the Sonoran desert.
6 December 1990
Portugal orders 20 F-16s (Peace Atlantis I) becoming the 17th customer.
20 December 1990
RTAF accepts first F-16 from Peace Naresuan II order.
17 January 1991
Start of Operation Desert Storm, the first combat deployment for USAF F-16s. F-16s perform 25 percent of strike sorties (300-400 daily) throughout the war, totaling 13,500 sorties.
19 January 1991
F-16s participate in the first day-light raid of Operation Desert Storm and attack targets in Baghdad. Two F-16s from the 614th TFS are lost, and the pilots taken prisoner.
22 January 1991
Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway complete LoA, certifying their commitment to the F-16A/B Mid-Life Update (MLU) program.
25 January 1991
Bahraini F-16s fly their first mission in Operation Desert Storm, and begin offensive operations on the following days.
25 January 1991
Egyptian Air Force accepts first F-16 from Peace Vector III order.
1 March 1991
Start of Operation Southern Watch, in which F-16s operating from Prince Sultan AB, Saudi Arabia, enforce a no-fly zone over southern Iraq.
17 March 1991
South Korea orders 120 F-16s (Peace Bridge II).
5 April 1991
Egypt orders 46 F-16s (Peace Vector IV).
5 April 1991
Start of Operation Provide Comfort I, in which F-16s enforce a no-fly zone over northern Iraq.
5 June 1991
Operational F-16s of the Florida Air National Guard fire live AIM-7 missiles for the first time in successful tests at Tyndall AFB, Florida.
11 June 1991
IDFAF accepts first F-16 from Peace Marble III order.
4 July 1991
Forth Worth receives first major subcontracts for FS-X development work to be performed in the United States for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries of Japan.
5 July 1991
US Air Force awards contract to begin MLU full-scale development effort.
24 July 1991
Start of Operation Provide Comfort II, in which F-16s enforce a no-fly zone over northern Iraq.
14 August 1991
The Justice Department accused General Electric of fraud for billing the Pentagon $30 million for the non-existent sale of F-16 parts to the Israeli military.
27 September 1991
Last of 160 BAF F-16s, No. FA-136, rolls off the SABCA production line.
30 October 1991
AFTI/F-16 completes its 500th flight.
31 October 1991
First production F-16C Block 50 (No. 90-0801) is delivered to the USAF at Fort Worth, where it will remain until early 1992 for tasks related to fleet introduction.
3 November 1991
Congress approves 1992 defense budget providing for procurement of 48 USAF F-16s in FY 92, with advance funding for 24 in FY 93.
30 November 1991
PAF accepts first F-16 from Peace Gate III order, but the aircraft are embargoed.
1991
Delivery is made of 3,000th F-16.
4 December 1991
Thailand orders 18 F-16s (Peace Naresuan III).
21 February 1992
Last of 213 RNlAF F-16s, No. J-021, rolls off the Fokker production line.
4 March 1992
Turkey orders 40 F-16s (Peace Onyx II).
2 April 1992
Worldwide F-16 fleet surpasses four million flight hours.
9 April 1992
Maiden flight of the VISTA/F-16 variable in-flight simulator testbed aircraft.
10 April 1992
First Pakistani aircraft: F-16A (No. 90-943) and F-16B (No. 90-948) arrive at AMARC under designations AAFG0001 & AAFG0002. They are the first of 28 Peace Gate III & IV aircraft to be embargoed.
14 May 1992
First production F-16D Block 50 (No. 90-0834) is delivered to the USAF.
2 June 1992
Air force Secretary Donald Rice endorses continued procurement of USAF F-16s through the 1990s with additional technology and capability upgrades.
1 September 1992
USAF Secretary reaffirms plan to continue F-16 procurement for at least the next few years. Announcement calls for 24 aircraft annually.
3 September 1992
Taiwan orders 150 F-16s (Peace Fenghuang) becoming the 18th customer.
30 September 1992
307th Fighter Squadron officially moves from Homestead AFB, Florida to Moody AFB, Georgia in the wake of Hurricane Andrew.
1 October 1992
Congress is notified of the MLU production phase for the European air forces, following Secretary of Defense Cheney's decision to continue U.S. participation in the development program.
3 October 1992
Congress approves funding for 24 USAF F-16s in fiscal 1993. Authorization for $68 million in advance procurement funding for 24 F-16s in 1994 is tied to completion of two studies on tactical aircraft requirements, as is funding for other major aircraft programs.
21 October 1992
BAF pilot Jean-Marie Toutou Toussaint is the first to reach 3,000 hours on the F-16.
29 October 1992
First production F-16C Block 52 (No. 90-0809) is delivered to the USAF.
1 November 1992
USAF Thunderbirds convert to F-16C/D model.
27 November 1992
An F-16 of the Venezuela air force shoots down an AT-27 during the Air Force coup.
30 November 1992
First production F-16D Block 52 (No. 90-0839) is delivered to the USAF.
1 December 1992
Greece orders 40 F-16s (Peace Xenia II).
27 December 1992
USAF F-16D No. 90-0778 from the 19th TFS, piloted by LTC Gary North of the 33rd TFS shoots down an Iraqi Mig-25 in UN-restricted airspace over southern Iraq, marking the first USAF F-16 kill and the first AMRAAM kill.
4 January 1993
Mishap Rate per 100,000 flight hours in 1992 is 4,5 (USAF) and 5,4 (Worldwide).
7 January 1993
A USAF F-16C from the 52nd FW destroys an Iraqi MiG-29 with an AIM-120 AMRAAM missile, marking the second USAF F-16 air victory
4 February 1993
Secretary of Defense Aspin makes decision to include funding for 24 USAF F-16s in fiscal year 1994 defense budget. Long lead money for 24 aircraft in 1995 is included in budget.
15 February 1993
Two-level maintenance officially inaugurated for USAF F-16s.
March 1993
Lockheed completes purchase of General Dynamics' military aircraft business, creating the Lockheed Fort Worth Company to continue programs such as the F-16 Fighting Falcon.
March 1993
The 178th FS/119th FW launches a record surge of 44 sorties with 11 F-16s in 8 hours, in wind chill temperatures of -25°F to -38°F.
20 March 1993
F-16 Combined Test Force passes 35,000 flight hours.
1 April 1993
Letter of agreement for MLU lit-production phase is presented to European air forces.
4 April 1993
USAF Thunderbirds celebrate their 11th year and 800th show with the F-16.
12 April 1993
Start of Operation Deny Flight, in which F-16s from the US, Netherlands, and Turkey help enforce a no-fly zone over Bosnia.
26 April 1993
2,000th USAF F-16 delivered.
27 April 1993
F-16 passed 5 million flight hours worldwide.
30 April 1993
PAF accepts first F-16 from Peace Gate IV order, but the aircraft are embargoed.
1 May 1993
Lockheed delivers first Block 50D F-16C, three months ahead of schedule, enhancing USAF F-16 combat capability.
1 June 1993
Vista/F-16 aircraft makes first flight with General Electric AVEN multi-axis thrustvectoring engine. New records were established.
2 July 1993
First flight of the NF-16D testbed.
30 July 1993
First USAF F-16A (No. 79-0340) arrives at AMARC for storage under designation AAFG0012. It will be followed by 350+ F-16s to be stored at the facility.
1 August 1993
The House Armed Services Committee of U.S. Congress approves funds for 24 USAF F-16s in 1994, with longlead money for 24 more in 1995.
13 August 1993
Enhanced HARM capability operational.
31 December 1993
17th FS, of the USAF, disbands at Shaw AFB, South Carolina.
1 January 1994
19th Fighter Squadron of the USAF moves to Alaska and converts from the F-16C/D to the F-15C/D.
3 January 1994
After converting from the F-111 to the F-16 and moving to Shaw AFB, South Carolina, the 77th Fighter Squadron reactivated.
1994
Israel orders 50 F-16s (Peace Marble IV).
1994
Denmark orders 3 F-16s as attrition replacements.
30 January 1994
PoAF accepts first F-16 from Peace Atlantis I order.
8 February 1994
RoKAF accepts first F-16 from Peace Bridge II order.
24 February 1994
EAF accepts first F-16 from Peace Vector IV order.
28 February 1994
Two USAF F-16Cs from the 86th TFW/526th TFS shoot down four Serbian Soko G-4 Super Galebs over Bosnia-Herzegovina during two missions, including the first USAF triple kill mission since the Korean war.
23 March 1994
Twenty-three paratroopers were killed when an F-16 and C-130 collided while landing at Pope Air Force Base in North Carolina. The F-16 skidded into another transport on the ground.
1994
F-16s achieve IOC on the AGM-88 HARM and the HARM Targeting System.
10 April 1994
Two USAF F-16s providing Close Air Support for UN personnel strike targets near Gorazde, marking the first NATO air strike in 45 year history.
21 April 1994
Major Jacquelyn S. Parker becomes first american female pilot to be combat qualified in the F-16.
23 April 1994
VISTA/F-16 resumed testing.
24 April 1994
F-16 tested with conformal fuel tank shapes.
1 July 1994
US Navy F-16 aggressor squadron VF-43 disbands at NAS Oceana, Virginia.
8 July 1994
RDAF accepts first F-16 of the attrition replacement order.
26 July 1994
IDFAF accepts first F-16 from Peace Marble IV order.
11 August 1994
AGM-84 Harpoon integration on F-16 successful.
15 August 1994
Combat hammer OT&E - 12 HARM missiles successfully launched autonomously employing HTS pod.
18 August 1994
Four F-16 pilots with over 10,000 hours combined fly together - two separate AFRES units.
1994
An F-16 testbed launches AGM-137 TSSAM and autonomous free flight dispenser system.
1994
A USAF F-16 fires two Box office II high off-boresight missiles, demonstrating a Helmet-Mounted Cueing System
18 September 1994
Turkey orders 40 F-16s (Peace Onyx III).
19 September 1994
Singapore orders 18 F-16s (Peace Carvin II).
21 September 1994
Mishap rate per 100,000 flight hours: 2.9 (USAF), 3.9 (Worldwide).
1994
AFTI/F-16 demonstrates cooperative engagement techniques in Talon Sword Bravo and global Sword tests.
21 November 1994
USAF and RNlAF F-16s participate in a 30-aircraft strike against Udbina AB in Balkans, marking the largest NATO air strike to date.
27 April 1995
The 3,500th F-16 was delivered.
28 April 1995
The first of five TVI aircraft (No. 80-0584) for the MLU makes its maiden flight from Fort Worth.
26 May 1995
Arrival of first F-16 at Edwards AFB to participate in Mid-Life Update (MLU) flight test program.
2 June 1995
A USAF F-16 was shot down by a Serb-launched missile while on patrol over Bosnia. The pilot, Air Force Capt. Scott O'Grady, ejected safely and landed behind Serb lines. He was rescued six days later.
8 June 1995
U.S. Marines rescued Capt. Scott O'Grady, whose F-16 had been shot down by Bosnian Serbs.
19 June 1995
RTAF accepts first F-16 from Peace Naresuan III order.
29 August 1995
Start of Operation Deliberate Force, in which F-16s participate in air strikes against Bosnian Serb military targets.
31 August 1995
307th Fighter Squadron disbands at Moody AFB, Georgia.
September 1995
Maj. Robert Nolan and Capt. Gerald Swift win the 1995 Semper Viper award, after Swift (on his first-ever F-16 ride) successfully landed their F-16 from the backseat under guidance from Nolan (whose stick was broken).
18 September 1995
First flight of a 522nd Fighter Squadron F-16 while converting from the F-111F that were retired to AMARC.
24 March 1996
Singapore orders 12 F-16s (Direct Commercial Sale).
April 1996
USAF ANG 149th FS/192nd FW becomes mission capable on a new reconnaissance pod, turning its F-16s into a capable recce platform.
April 1996
TUAF accepts first F-16 from Peace Onyx II order.
May 1996
F-16s from the ANG 149th FS/192nd FW equipped with a new recce pod start flying recce missions over Bosnia in support of peace-keeping operations, marking the first deployment of USAF F-16s in the recce role.
May 1996
Egypt orders 21 F-16s (Peace Vector V).
15 June 1996
The 4th FS/388th FW conducts largest three-day surge ever recorded for an 18-aircraft F-16 unit - 320 sorties in 72 hours
July 1996
RoCAF accepts first F-16 from Peace Fenghuang order.
26 July 1996
524th Fighter Squadron activates with the F-16 at Cannon AFB, New Mexico after converting from the F-111F which were sent to AMARC.
29 July 1996
Jordan orders 16 F-16s (Peace Falcon I) becoming the 19th customer.
1996
Denmark orders 4 F-16s as attrition replacements.
August 1996
USAFE's 31st FW at Aviano AB is the first F-16 unit to employ Night Vision Goggles.
1996
Maj. Erik A. Hutchins wins the 1996 Semper Viper award, after landing his F-16 experiencing an engine oil system failure that filled the cockpit with smoke.
15 September 1996
Bahrain agrees to host 26 American F-16s, becoming the second Gulf country to allow US forces to operate from its soil in the confrontation with Iraq.
5 November 1996
F-16 delivers first guided JDAM bomb.
12 November 1996
The first MLU production kits have been delivered ahead of schedule, marking the start of the production phase of the MLU program.
25 November 1996
USAF F-16 fleet records lowest single-engine fighter mishap rate in US Air Force history, logging a Class A mishap rate of 2.15 accidents per 100,000 flying hours over a total of 377,000 flying hours for FY 1996.
4 December 1996
USAF F-16s pass 5 million flying hours.
1 January 1997
Start of Operation Northern Watch, in which F-16s enforce a no-fly zone over northern Iraq.
28 January 1997
The first two F-16 Block 50 aircraft for Greece (a C and a D model from the Peace Xenia II program) roll out of the factory at Lockheed Martin Tactical Aircraft Systems.
12 February 1997
Frank Dewinne lands his F-16 after an engine and navigation system failure safely during adverse weather conditions, earning him the 1997 Semper Viper award.
7 March 1997
LMTAS starts working on Project Gold Strike, which will expand the F-16s targeting capability and situational analysis by enabling the F-16 to transmit and receive video images.
17 March 1997
RDAF accepts first F-16 of the second attrition replacement order.
15 April 1997
The first two F-16 Block 20 aircraft, out of 150 ordered under the Peace Fenghuang program, arrive in Taiwan.
18 April 1997
RSAF accepts first F-16 from the Direct Commercial Sale order.
5 August 1997
HAF accepts first F-16 from Peace Xenia II order.
30 September 1997
Congress approves 3 new F-16s to be delivered to the USAF in the FY 98 budget.
October 1997
LMTAS concludes evaluation of paintless F-16, 600sq feet of which was covered with an adhesive film instead of paint.
29 October 1997
Singapore orders 12 F-16s (Peace Carvin III).
4 November 1997
The AFTI/F-16 program ends at Dryden research center, after 15 years and over 700 research flights
12 December 1997
A Danish F-16B MLU assigned to the F-16 Combined Test Force successfully launches an AIM-120 AMRAAM.
17 December 1997
RJAF accepts first F-16 from Peace Falcon I order.
9 April 1998
RSAF accepts first F-16 from Peace Carvin II order.
April 1998
Bahrain orders 10 F-16s (Peace Crown II).
12 May 1998
United Arab Emirates orders 80 F-16s becoming the 20th customer.
23 June 1998
LMTAS is starting with the CCIP upgrade.
23 August 1998
USAF Lt.Col. Michael J. Brillo Brill is the first pilot to reach 4,000 hours on the F-16.
23 August 1998
Capt. Erik Pettyjohn wins the 1998 Semper Viper award, after he flew his damaged F-16 120 miles over enemy territory and landed it safely during a Northern Watch SEAD mission.
3 November 1998
The US ANG 119th FW sets a safety record by flying over 40,000 accident-free hours in the F-16, over a nine-year period.
10 November 1998
TUAF accepts first F-16 from Peace Onyx III order.
12 November 1998
428th Fighter Squadron activates at Cannon AFB, New Mexico.
30 November 1998
Portugal orders 25 F-16s (Peace Atlantis II).
December 1998
Worlwide F-16 fleet exceeds eight million flight hours.
18 February 1999
An additional 10 F-16C/D's are included in the FY 2000 request.
26 February 1999
Lockheed delivers the first Korean F-16 equiped with the AN/ALQ-165 Airborne Self-Protection Jammer (ASPJ)
23 March 1999
A Dutch F-16AM (J-063) shoots down a Serbian MiG-29 over former Yugoslavia. This is the first combat success for Dutch F-16s and for the F-16 MLU.
24 March 1999
Start of operation Allied Force, in which F-16s participate in air operations over the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
26 March 1999
LMTAS delivered the 3,035th F-16 from Air Force Plant No. 4 located in Fort Worth, Texas. This makes the F-16 the largest production program in the plant's history, surpassing the B-24.
30 April 1999
Greece orders 60 F-16s (Peace Xenia III).
4 May 1999
A USAF F-16CJ No. 91-0353 shot down a Mig-29 over Serbia.
12 May 1999
PoAF accepts first F-16 from Peace Atlantis II order.
May 1999
Maj. Michael Lee leads a flight of F-16s taking out a SAM site during Operation Northern Watch, earning him the 1999 Semper Viper Award.
27 May 1999
1,000th combat sortie - marked during NATO's Operation Allied Force by an F-16CG from the 555th FS.
3 June 1999
Egypt orders 24 F-16s (Peace Vector VI).
19 July 1999
Israel orders 102 F-16s (Peace Marble V).
28 July 1999
New Zealand orders 28 F-16s. The deal is later cancelled.
10 September 1999
LMTAS receives contract for integration of AN/APX-113 AIFF system on USAF F-16 Block 50/52s as part of the Common Configuration Implementation Program.
8 November 1999
EAF accepts first F-16 from Peace Vector V order.
13 November 1999
The 324th and last license-built F-16 rolls of the Turkish Aircraft Industries production line.
29 November 1999
RSAF accepts first F-16 from Peace Carvin III order.
23 February 2000
Lt. Col. Scott Baldwin lands his F-16C safely with the engine stuck in full mil power, earning him the 2000 Semper Viper award.
11 March 2000
Thailand orders 17 F-16s (Peace Naresuan IV).
20 March 2000
New-Zealand cancels the lease of 28 F-16s.
27 April 2000
The 4,000th F-16, an F-16C Block 40 for the Egyptian Air Force, rolls off the production line in Fort Worth.
9 May 2000
USAF orders 10 more F-16s.
19 May 2000
WCMD and TARS fielded on the F-16.
22 June 2000
RBAF accepts first F-16 from Peace Crown II order.
21 July 2000
Singapore orders 20 F-16s (Peace Carvin IV).
27 July 2000
South Korea orders 20 F-16s (Peace Bridge III).
24 October 2000
Maiden flight of the F-16 power-by-wire technology demonstrator,it the first aircraft to fly with all-electric flight-control actuation and no mechanical backup.
27 December 2000
Chile orders 10 F-16s (Peace Puma) becoming the 21st customer.
3 January 2001
USAF buys 4 more F-16C's which were included in the FY '01 budget.
9 January 2001
Retirement of AFTI/F-16 No. 75-0750, after nearly 23 years of service, at the time the second oldest F-16 still flying.
15 March 2001
Italy orders 34 F-16s (Peace Caesar) becoming the 22nd customer.
3 April 2001
A RoCAF F-16B test-fires an AGM-84A Harpoon at a decommissioned destroyer, believed to be the first launch of an AGM-84 from an F-16 anywhere in the world.
30 April 2001
Both the 68th and 69th Fighter Squadrons disbanded at Moody AFB, Georgia.
24 July 2001
LMTAS delivers first CCIP modification kits 2 months ahead of schedule.
22 August 2001
EAF accepts first F-16 from Peace Vector VI order.
August 2001
LMTAS completes the first phase of flight testing with Conformal Fuel Tanks at Eglin AFB.
7 October 2001
Start of Operation Enduring Freedom, in which F-16s participate in air operations against terrorist training camps and infrastructure within Afghanistan.
November 2001
Capt. Craig Marion leads an 8-hour combat flight over Afghanistan to defend an Army convoy, earning him the 2001 Semper Viper award.
29 November 2001
F-16s from the 389th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron use GBU-31 JDAMs in Operation Enduring Freedom, marking the first combat use.
March 2002
Lt. Col. Burt Bartley secures an MH-47 crash site in Afghanistan allowing survivors to be evacuated, earning him the 2002 Semper Viper award.
May 2002
Oman orders 12 F-16s (Peace A'sama A'safiya) becoming the 23rd customer.
2002
Jordan orders 17 F-16s (Peace Falcon II).
2 June 2002
Pakistani F-16 shot down 1 Indian Searcher II UAV.
16 November 2002
USAF pilot Michael J. Brillo Brill is the first to reach 5,000 hours on the F-16.
27 November 2002
CFT testing completed.
27 December 2002
Poland orders 48 F-16s (Peace Sky) becoming the 24th customer.
3 February 2003
16th Weapons Squadron of the USAF reactivated at Nellis AFB, Nevada retaining the history of the first operational F-16 squadron.
2003
HAF accepts first F-16 from Peace Xenia III order.
March 2003
F-16s fly with first production Conformal Fuel Tanks.
20 March 2003
Start of Operation Iraqi Freedom, in which F-16s participate in air operations against targets in Iraq.
30 March 2003
Maj. Edward Linch and Capt. Brian Wolf provide air cover for ground forces during an Operation Iraqi Freedom mission, in a sandstorm at night, earning them the 2003 Semper Viper award.
2003
RJAF accepts first F-16 from Peace Falcon II order.
25 April 2003
First flight test of the more powerful F110-GE-132 turbofan engine for the F-16 Block 60 is completed successfully.
2003
RoKAF accepts first F-16 from Peace Bridge III order.
6 June 2003
The AFTI/F-16 is used in flight trials demonstrating an Automatic Air Collision Avoidance System (Auto ACAS)
26 June 2003
Roll-out of first MLU upgraded Portuguese F-16.
30 June 2003
78th Fighter Squadron deactivates at Shaw AFB, South Carolina.
16 July 2003
RTAF accepts first F-16 from Peace Naresuan IV order.
17 July 2003
AMI accepts first F-16 from Peace Caesar order.
18 August 2003
Celebration of the USAF formally accepting the first production F-16, No. 78-0001, back in 1978.
31 August 2003
The 307th FS was re-activated under the AFRC. Based out of Langley AFB and has detachments at: Nellis AFB, Shaw AFB, Eglin AFB and Hill AFB. The unit provides pilots and maintainers for these mentioned bases for the F-15, F-16 (Blocks 30 to 50) and A-10.
14 September 2003
A USAF Thunderbirds F-16C crashes during an air show at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho. The pilot manages to eject safely less than a second before impact.
September 2003
LMTAS successfully concludes flight testing of the Sniper XR Advanced Targeting Pod on F-16 Block 30 and 50 aircraft.
3 October 2003
64th Aggressor Squadron reactivated for the second time with the F-16 at Nellis AFB, Nevada.
14 November 2003
LMTAS and the Israeli Air Force unveil the new F-16I Sufa at Fort Worth.
November 2003
Norwegian Air Force becomes first international customer for the Pantera targeting pod, the export version of the Sniper XR pod.
22 November 2003
Lockheed Martin holds an informal roll out of the F-16 Block 60.
December 2003
Block 60 F-16 makes first successful flight.
16 February 2004
A scrapped F-16 is put up for auction on Ebay, with a starting price of $1 million.
February 2004
IDFAF accepts first F-16 from Peace Marble V order.
March 2004
Maj. Andrew T. Lyons was selected for his professional and personal commitment to improving the lethality of the 421st FS before and during its deployment to Balad AB for Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004. His efforts led to the first-ever successful combat employment of the GBU-38 guided bomb during OIF, earning him the 2004 Semper Viper award.
29 March 2004
Belgian AF F-16s provide air defense in Lithuania, as part of NATO's commitment to defend its new (former WarPac) members.
9 April 2004
First launch of an AIM-9X Sidewinder by an F-16.
2004
RSAF accepts first F-16 from Peace Carvin IV order.
18 November 2004
Thailand receives 7 second-hand F-16s from Singapore.
5 May 2005
UAEAF accepts first F-16 from the Direct Commercial Sale order.
6 July 2005
428th Fighter Squadron disbands at Cannon AFB, New Mexico.
5 August 2005
RAFO accepts first F-16 from Peace A'sama A'safiya order.
4 September 2005
F-16C Block 25 No. 84-1254 is the first C-model viper worldwide to surpass the 6,000 flying-hours milestone.
21 November 2005
Jordan orders 3 second-hand F-16s from the Netherlands.
December 2005
Chile orders 18 second-hand F-16s from the Netherlands.
13 December 2005
Greece orders 30 F-16s (Peace Xenia IV).
1 February 2006
FACh accepts first F-16 from Peace Puma order.
31 March 2006
PolAF accepts first F-16 from Peace Sky order.
20 April 2006
Jordan orders 16 second-hand F-16s from Belgium (Peace Falcon III).
20 June 2006
F-16C No. 87-0359 is the first Block 40 viper worldwide to surpass the 6,000 flying-hours milestone.
4 September 2006
FACh accepts first F-16 from second-hand order.
30 September 2006
Pakistan orders 18 F-16s (Peace Drive).
16 March 2007
USAF 389th FS from Mountain Home AFB, Idaho officially converted from the F-16C/D to the F-15E.
12 April 2007
Jordan orders 6 second-hand F-16s from the Netherlands (Peace Falcon IV).
11 May 2007
Turkey orders 30 F-16s (Peace Onyx IV).
23 May 2007
523rd Fighter Squadron disbands at Cannon AFB, New Mexico.
20 June 2007
Last ANG F-16A (No. 82-0993) arrives at AMARC for storage under designation AAFG0553.
30 August 2007
524th Fighter Squadron disbands at Cannon AFB, New Mexico.
18 September 2007
First USAF F-16C (No. 84-1260) arrives at AMARC for storage under designation AAFG0556.
21 December 2007
522nd Fighter Squadron disbands at Cannon AFB, New Mexico.
February 2008
Morocco orders 24 F-16s becoming the 25th customer.
24 March 2008
F-16C Block 25 No. 83-1165 is the first C-model viper worldwide to surpass the 7,000 flying-hours milestone.
2 May 2008
USAF pilot Michael J. Brillo Brill is the first to reach 6,000 hours on the F-16.
10 September 2008
RJAF accepts first F-16 from Peace Falcon III order.
19 March 2009
HAF accepts first F-16 from Peace Xenia IV order.
28 July 2009
RJAF accepts first F-16 from Peace Falcon IV order.
13 October 2009
PAF accepts first F-16 from Peace Drive order.
3 April 2012
The 4,500th F-16, an F-16C Block 52 for the Royal Moroccan Air Force, rolls off the production line in Fort Worth.
