Iconic F-16 fast jet celebrated at Royal International Air Tattoo

This weekend aircrew from around the world brought their world-famous F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft to RAF Fairford, as the jet’s 50^th anniversary was celebrated at RIAT.

After first flying in 1974, the aircraft is currently still in production and is well renowned for its speed and agility.

Celebrating the jet’s 50^th anniversary was a theme for this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo, alongside ‘Pushing the Boundaries in Air and Space, 100-years of the Royal Canadian Air Force and 75-years of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

On Saturday afternoon, alongside RIAT’s static ‘Viper Line’ which extended over 300 metres in length with aircraft from different eras and nations, current operators took part in an event to mark five decades of the flagship Lockheed Martin product. The line-up was headed by a jet from the Royal Netherlands Air Force which had special markings applied especially for RIAT, inspired by the red, white and blue livery of the first YF-16 prototype.

Head of Air Operations at Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises, Peter Reoch said: “We’ve been working for nearly eighteen months on making sure the event was a worthy celebration for the 50^th Anniversary of such an iconic aircraft.

“To see F-16s from so many nations together in one place has been truly unique and a sight which should live long in the memory of all those who visit RIAT this weekend.”

In addition to the long line of jets in different colour schemes and marking on the static display, the weekend’s flying programme was punctuated with flying displays from the Fighting Falcon with Denmark and Turkey showcasing their jets in the air.

“The F-16 is symbolic of enduring partnerships and industrial collaboration. From the beginning, the F-16 program laid the groundwork for close cooperation, allied standardization and joint training practices,” said OJ Sanchez, vice president and general manager, Integrated Fighter Group.

“Fifty years later, it still is building and sustaining partnerships – all of which were on display at this the RIAT celebration.”