F-16 History Page
FALCON Agressor F-16N

F-16 Recent History History Page

Damage Done By F-16s

Destroyed Number Other Number
Aircraft, Ground 12 (2 MiG-29, 3 MiG-21, 2 Super Galeb, 1 MQ-1B, 1 HIP & 3 other helicopters) Assisted in capturing 36
Artillery 10 (1 B-30) Aircraft, Air 89
Compounds 3 Compounds 3
Armored vehicles 12 Missile Launcher 1
Other vehicles 30 Includes 4 x VBIEDs, a bulldozer, and a coalition vehicle destroyed to keep from enemy. Assisted in destroying 1
Trucks
14 Assisted in destroying 1
Caves 16    
Enemy Combatants 108, including Abu Ali, Abu Musab Al-Zarquawi, Sheik Abdul Rahman, Abu Nasr al-Tunisi, Mullah Mohibullah and the Taliban that shot down a CH-47, killing 38, including 30 U.S. service members. Assisted in killing 113
Dug-in positions 17 Assisted in destroying 4
SUV 1    
C & C Facility destroyed. 2    
Train Cars 6    
Fuel Tanks 10    
Radio Relay Stations 9    
SAM batteries 6 (1 by RNAF, 2 by USAF)    
AAA Sites 5    
Radar Site 6    
Bridges 13 (1 Earthen)    
Buildings 131 (29 HBIED) Assisted in Destroying 3
Aircraft Shelters 2    
Bunkers 11 (One as a demonstration) Assisted in destroying 1
Scud Missiles 12    
SAM Launchers 2    
Cable Repeater 1    
Mortar Position 2    
Weapons Cache 13 Assisted in destroying 1
IED 9 Assisted in finding IED 2
Command Post 1 By IAF    
Rocket Site 2    
Boat 2    
Tank 6 (1 T-55)    
Other target 1    
Serial Number Country Comments
91-008 Turkey Shot down a Syrian Air Force MiG-23 on March 23, 2014
669 Norweigan participated in operations against Lybia
E-018 Danish participated in Operation Enduring Freedom
E-610 Danish participated in Operation Enduring Freedom
J-364 RNAF Crashed in Afghanistan August 31, 2006. The pilot, Kapitein-Vlieger Michael 'Safac' Donkervourt, died in the crash.
501 USANG, 117th Fighter Wing participated in Operation Enduring Freedom
AF85-403 USANG, 158 FW Flew Operation Iraqi Freedom missions.
AF85-472 USAF participated in Operation Enduring Freedom
AF85-556 USAF participated in Operation Enduring Freedom
AF86-525 USAF Participated in Operation Inherent Resolve
AF87-221 USAF Flew Operation Iraqi Freedom missions.
AF87-0323 USAF Thunderbirds Aircraft retired, now on display outside the Nellis AFB Thunderbird museum
AF88-477 USAF Flew Operation Iraqi Freedom missions.
AF88-818 USAF, 421st EFS Flew Operation Iraqi Freedom missions. Experienced a malfunction.
AF89-008 USAF Participated in Operation Inherent Resolve.
AF90-711 USAF Flew Operation Iraqi Freedom missions.
AF90-771 USAF Crashed in Kunsan, Korea, March 21, 2012. The pilot ejected safely.
AF90-773 US Flew Operation Iraqi Freedom missions.
AF90-802 USAF Flew Operation Iraqi Freedom missions.
AF90-818 USAF, 22nd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron Flew Operation Iraqi Freedom missions.
AF923920 US Participated in Operation Noble Eagle as part of 20FW.
AF92-915 USAF Flew Operation Iraqi Freedom missions.
AF 82-006 US Participated in Operation Noble Eagle
262 USAF, 62 FW Participated in Operation Odyssey Dawn
294 USAF Participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom
AF84-309 USAF, Fin Flash EF Participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom
0339 USAF Participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom
357 USAF Participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom
358 USAF Participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom
394 USAF, 78th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron Participated in Operation Northern Watch
AF 82-992 US Participated in Operation Noble Eagle
412 USAF Participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom
AF85-409 US Participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom
417 US Participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom
0436 12th AF Participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom
AF 85-473 US Participated in Operation Enduring Freedom
AF 85-501 US Participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom
AF 85-547 USAF Participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom
AF 85-551 USAF Participated in Operation Enduring Freedom
AF 86-327 USAF Participated in Operation Enduring Freedom
541 US Participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom
543 US participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom
819 US participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom
90-821 77th Fighter Squadron Participated in Operation Southern Watch & Operation Iraqi Freedom
90-822   participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom
AF01-053 USAF The last F-16 delivered to the USAF. Delivered on March 18, 2005
AF86-223 US, 113th Expeditionary Squadron participated in Operation Northern Watch
86-0347 DC Air National Guard Crashed in a collision with another F-16C on August 1, 2013.
AF87-217 USAF Participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom
AF87-230 USAF Participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom
AF87-350 USAF Participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom
AF88-0428 USAF Participated in Operation Desert Storm, Operation Southern Watch, & Operation Iraqi Freedom. Flew over 6,000 flight hours.
AF88-0451 USAF June 10, 2003, crashed. The pilot, Captain David O'Malley ejected safely.
AF88-0471 USAF Participated in Operation Desert Storm, Operation Southern Watch, & Operation Iraqi Freedom. Flew over 6,000 flight hours.
AF89-072 USAF Tested an arresting barrier at Balad AB, Iraq on July 4, 2006
828 USAF Participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom
0383 USAF Participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom
AF88-115 USAF Participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom
AF88-404 USAF participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom
88-0424 USAF June 12, 2003, Crashed, the pilot ejected safely.
AF89-549 USAF participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom
AF91-348 USAF participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom
AF901356 USAF, 363rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom
AF92-015 USAF participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom
AF92-3920 77th Fighter Squadron, USAF Participated in Operation Northern Watch and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
AF923920 20 FW Participated in Operation Noble Eagle
AF96-083   participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom
AF96-346 USAF, 55th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron Participated in Operation Northern Watch
2008   Participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom
2064 USAF Participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom
3020 Royal Jordanian Air Force Participated in strikes against ISIS
3017 Royal Jordanian Air Force Participated in strikes against ISIS
3067 Royal Jordanian Air Force Participated in strikes against ISIS
& F-16 Fighting Falcon aircrews were awarded 59 Distinguish Flying Crosses during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom
& F-16 pilots Captain Gregory Balzhiser and Captain David Kroontje were awarded the 2014 Mackay Trophy.
& Four F-16 pilots won the Mackay Trophy for their actions on August 12 & 13 2007.
The F-16s of the DC Air National Guard scrambled 4,000 times since September 11, 2001.

LIBYA

July 26, 2014 - USAF F-16s provided a watch over the evacuation of personnel from the U.S. embassy in Tripoli.
March 22, 2011 - 4 x Italian Air Force F-16s flew sorties over Libya.
March 20, 2011 - 8 x F-16CJs struck targets in Libya.
April 27, 2011 - A UAE F-16 crashed on landing in Italy. The pilot ejected safely.
IRAQ/SYRIA

February 24, 2017 - Iraqi Air Force F-16IQs attacked Islamic State targets in Syria.
November 24, 2015 - A Turkish F-16 shot down a Russian Su-24.
September 6, 2015 - Iraqi F-16s struck ISIS targets for the first time.
August 25, 2015 - Turkish F-16s struck ISIS targets in Syria.
August 12, 2015 - USAF F-16s took off from a base in Turkey and bombed ISIS targets.
July 24, 2015 - 3 Turkish F-16s struck two ISIS gathering points.
February 5, 2015 - Royan Jordanian Air Force F-16s struck ISIS targets.
November 21, 2014 - US & Danish F-16s flew missions over Iraq.
October 15, 2014 - Danish F-16s flew their first missions against ISIS.
October 11, 2014 - Royal Dutch AF F-16s participated in strikes in Iraq.
October 7, 2014 - Two Royal Dutch AF F-16s flew strike missions in Iraq.
October 5, 2014 - Belgian AF F-16s flew strike missions in Iraq.
September 23, 2014 - F-16s from the USAF and Bahrain flew strike missions against ISIL forces.
August 2014 - F-16s flew strike missions against ISIL forces.
F-16s served in the ISR role.
December 18, 2011 - Flew overwatch for the last convoy out of Iraq.
December 2009 - Disrupted a smuggling operation.
October 2008 - Provided show of force.
September 2008 - Provided shows of force.
August 2008 - Dropped ordinance.
July 2008 - Dropped ordinance & provided shows of force.
June 2008 - Provided shows of force.
May 2008 - Dropped ordinance and provided shows of force.
April 2008 - Dropped ordinance and provided shows of force.
March 2, 2008 - Assisted in rescuing two U.S. hikers who were lost in Iraq.
March 2008 - Dropped ordinance & provided shows of force.
February 2008 - Dropped ordinance & provided shows of force.
January 2008 - Dropped ordinance, strafed, Provided shows of force.
December 2007 - Destroyed al-Qaeda target, provided shows of force.
November 2007 - Dropped ordinance & Provided shows of force.
October 2007 - Dropped ordinance, strafed, and provided shows of force.
September 2007 - Dropped ordinance, strafed, provided shows of force and overwatch.
August 2007 - Bombed, strafed, and provided show of force and an overwatch.
July 2007 - F-16s provided:
  • Ordinance dropped: Al Muqdadiyah, Baghdad, Mosul
  • strafed - Bayji, Baquba
  • Show of force: Al Diwaniyah and Al Musayyib, Al Muqdadiyah, Baghdad, Baquba, Samarra
  • overwatch: Baghdad, Bayji, Salman Pak, Samarra and Yusufiyah
June 2007 - F-16s provided:
  • Ordinance dropped; Balad, Baquba
  • show of force; Al Muqdadiyah, Baghdad, Balad. Bayji, Diwaniyah, Muqdadiyah, Samarra, Taji
  • Overwatch; Ad Diwaniyah, Baquba, Bayji, Baghdad, Balad, Mosul, Salman Pak, Samarra, Taji
  • Reconnaissance; Banisa, Bayji
May 2007 - F-16s provided:
  • Ordinance dropped; Al Muqdadiyah, Baghdad, Baquba, Fallujah, Habbiniyah,Samarra, Dropped a GBU-12 on an Al Qaeda safe house near Taji.
  • Strafed; Baghdad
  • show of force; Al Basrah, Baghdad, Baquba, Mosul, Iskandariyah, Samarra, Salman Pak, Tikrit
  • overwatch; Ad Dawr, Al Iskandariyah, Baghdad, Baquba, Balad, Mahmudiyah, Salmon Park, Samarra, Tall Afar, Taji, Yusufiyah, overwatch of a scene of an IED attack on a Bradley.
  • counter IED; Baghdad, Balad, Samarra
  • reconnaissance; Al Kut, Baquba, Al Musayyib, Baquba, Taji, Al Hawijah, Tikrit, and Yusufiyah
  • SAR; Mahmudiyah, Baquba (downed OH-58D)
April 2007 - F-16s provided:
  • dropped munitions; Baghdad, Basra
  • strafed; Samarra
  • show of force; Balad, Baghdad. Baqubah, Bayji, Karbala, Kumayt, Salman Pak, Tikrit
  • overwatch; Al Mahmudiyah, Baghdad, Bayji, Mosul, Ramadi, Salman Pak, Samarra, Taji (for rescue and recovery of two UK helicopters), Tel Afar
  • reconnaissance; Baqubah, Bayji, Mosul, Salman Pak, Samarra
  • counter IED; Baghdad, Mahmudiyah, Mosul, Samarra, Taji, Tikrit, Yusufiyah
March 2007 - F-16s provided:
  • dropped munitions; Baghdad, Ba'Qubah, Fallujah, Mosul
  • strafed; Baghdad, Fallujah
  • show of force; Ad Diwaniyah, Baghdad, Ba'Qubah, Balad, Baqubah, Irbil, Samarra, Tal Afar
  • reconnaissance; Baghdad, Balad, Baqubah, Samarra, Yusufiyah
  • overwatch; Al Basrah, Al Muqdadiyah, Baghdad, Balad, Baqubah, Bayji, Baqubah, Rutbah, Salman Pak, Samarra, Tal Afar
  • counter IED; Baghdad, Balad, Bayji
February 2007 - F-16s supported ground forces in the vicinity of Ali Saray, Al Yusifiyah, Ar Ramadi, Baghdad, Balad, Baquba, Hawijah, Kirkuk, Ramadi, Samarra, Basrah, Latfiyah, Shumaytah, Taji, Tikrit, & Yasin. Support included shows of force. Struck a boat parking area in Al Mahmudiyah. Participated in a helicopter recovery operation.
January 28 - 29, 2007 - Carried out missions during the Battle of Najaf where 373 members of the Soldiers of Heaven died and 407 were taken prisoner.
January 2007 - F-16s supported ground forces in the vicinity of Al Iskandariyah, At Timm, Baghdad, Balad Ruz, Baqubah, Basrah, Hawijah, Mosul, Taji, Tal Afar, & Turki Village.
December 2006 - F-16s supported ground forces in the vicinity of Baqubah, Basrah, Bayji, Baghdad, Hawijah, Al Kut & Tikrit.
November 2006 - F-16s supported ground forces in the vicinity of At Timm, Kirkuk , Al Mahmudyiah, Baghdad, Bayji, Samarra, Subakhu.
October 2006 - F-16s supported ground forces in the vicinity of Al Fatha, Al Hawijah, Al Iskanderiyah, Al Madhatiyah, Al Musayyib, Al Yusufiyah, Baghdad, Balad, Baqubah, Bayji, Basrah, Fallujah, Fayyad, Kirkuk, Maqdadiyah, Mosul, Muhafazat, Qaratat Tut, Ramadi, Rasheed Air Field, Rumalijah, Samarra, Salman Bak East, Tall Afar.
September 2006 - F-16s supported ground forces in Al Hillah, Al Hawijah, Al Musayyib, Baghdad, Balad, Baquba, Diwaniyah, Kirkuk, Mosul, Salman Pak, Samarrah, and Tikrit.
August 2006 - F-16s supported ground forces in Ad Diwaniyah, Al Amarah, Al Hawijah, Al Iskandariyah, Al Mahmudiyah, Al Taji, Ar Ramadi, Baghdad, Balad, Baquba, Basrah, Kirkuk, Mosul, Salman Pak and Tall Afar.
July 2006 - F-16s supported ground forces in the vicinities of Ad Diwaniyah, Al Amarah, Al Hawijah, Al Hillah, Al Iskandariyah, Al Mahmudiyah, Al Taji, Ar Hawijal, Ar Ramadi, Baghdad, Balad, Baquba, Basrah, Fallujah, Karabala, Kirkuk, Ramadi, Salman Pak, Tall Afar, Tikrit.
June 2006 - F-16s supported ground forces in the vicinities of Al Amarah, Al Habbaniqah, Al Hawijah, Al Hillah, Al Iskandariyah, Al Mahmudiyah, Baghdad, Baqubah, Fallujah, Mosul, Ramadi, Samarra, Tall Afar, and Tikrit.
May 2006 - F-16s supported ground forces in the vicinities of Al Amarah, Al Ased, Al Hawijah, Al Iskanderiyah, Al Mahmudiyah, Al Mansuriyah, Al Taji, Balad, Baghdad, Basrah, Bayji, Fallajah, Haditha, Hit, Miqdadiyah, Ramadi, Salman Pak, Samarra, Tal Afar and Tikrit.
April 2006 - F-16s supported ground forces in the vicinities of Al Fathah, Al Iskanderyah, Al Hawijah, Al Mahmudiyah, Al Mohmudiyah, Al Sahra, Al Taji, Al Wawijah, Balad, Baghdad, Baquba, Bayji, Habbaniyah, Hit, Karbala, Kirkuk, Mosul, Ramadi, Al Miqdahiyah, Salman Pak, Samarra, Tall Afar, Tikrit, and Baghdad.
March 2006 - F-16s supported ground forces in the vicinities of Al Habbaniyah, Al Hawijah, Al Miqdadiyah, Baghdad, Balad, Baquba, Bayji, Ramadi, Jallulah Al Iskandariyah, Al Mahmudiyah, Tikrit, Al Amarah, Al Taji, Kirkuk, Salman Pak, Samarra, and Mosul.
February 2006 - Provided Close Air Support to Ground Forces in Al Hawijah, Al Mansuriyah, Baghdad, Baquba, Habbaniyah, Hit, Kerbala, Ramadi, Salman Park, Samarra, Tikrit.
December 26, 2005 - F-16s destroyed an enemy position.
December 2005 - F-16s supported ground forces in Balad, Bayji, Mosul, and Ramadi. F-16s attacked a bridge.
November 2005 - F-16s supported ground forces in Balad, Basra, Hawijah, Husapbah, Karabilah, Ramadi, Salman Park, Tacit.
November 14, 2005 - Supported ground forces as part of Operation Steel Curtain.
October 2005 - F-16s supported ground forces in Baghdad, Balad, Basrah, Fallujah, Hawijah, Husaybah, Jalula, Karabilah, Mahmudiyah, Sadiyah, Samarra, Sulaymaniyah, Tuz Khurmatu, Hit Musayyib, Samarra and Az Zubaydiyah.
September 2005 - F-16s supported ground forces in Al Majaar Al Kabir, Baghdad, Kirkuk, Qayyarah, Rawah, Tuz Khurmatu, Al Mahmudiyah, Al Mansuriyah, Baqubad, Samarra, Karabilah, Mishal, Mosul, Iskandariyah, Muqdadiyah, Hawija, Jallulah, Mansiyah, Suwayrah, Ash Shargat, Qain, Ramedi, Balad, Haditha, and Tal Afar.
September 6, 2005 - F-16s dropped 2 x GBU-38 500 pound bombs on a terrorist position.
August 2005 - F-16s supported ground operations in Al Qaim, Fallujah, Mosul, & Tikrit.
June 11, 2005 - F-16s dropped 5xGBU12 & 2xGBU38 bombs in Western Al Anbar provence.
May 27, 2005 - An F-16 dropped a lasar-guided "guided bomb unit-12" bomb during the search-and-recovery of the two soldiers killed in an OH-58 shootdown.
August 18, 2004 - F-16s supported ground forces in An Najaf without expending ordinance.
May 6, 2004 - An F-16 directed ground fire Najaf after a mortar attack on a nearby air base.
April 12, 2004 - An F-16 carried out a close air support strike against insurgents.
April 7, 2004 - An F-16 dropped a 500 lb. bomb on a target.
November 18, 2003 - Dropped 2 x 500# bombs near Samera.
November 11, 2003 - An F-16 bombed a house south of Baghdad.
November 7 & 8, 2003 - F-16s dropped bombs on enemy targets.
F-16s attacked Ali Hassan al Majid aka "Chemical Ali".
An F-16CJ flew a SAM supression mission to support a B-1B mission against a leadership target.
September 5, 2002 - F-16s flew fighter escort for a strike mission.
Spring 2002 - An F-16 attacked an Iraqi weapons installation.
September 10, 2001 - F-16s were among the planes involved in strikes
August 28, 2001 - F-16s were among the planes involved in strikes.
August 14, 2001 - F-16s attacked an Iraqi radar site.
August 10, 2001 - 4 F-16s were among the strike aircraft on a raid.
August 7, 2001 - A USAF F-16 dropped two laser-guided bombs on a SAM missile launcher. The launcher had previously fired three missiles at allied aircraft.
22 February, 2001 - An F-16CJ fired a missile against an Iraqi ground target.
September 2000 Iraq AAA sites fired at two F-16s.
23 F-16s participated in Operation Desert Fox
F-16s of the 170th Illinois ANG flew 500 Operation Southern Watch Sorties.
15 April 1999 - F-16s struck a radar site and an AAA site.
F-16CJs were also involved in the December 28 and 30, 1998 incidents. They used HARM anti-radiation missiles against the Iraqis.
2016 - An F-16 had a malfunction that only allowed it to take on 15 minutes worth of fuel. A KC-135 kept refueling the aircraft until it was out of ISIS territory.
October 7, 2015 - 2 USAF F-16s diverted to avoid getting close to a Russian jet fighter.
July 10, 2004 - An F-16 mishap caused $1.2M damage to the aircraft.
%June 26, 2003 - An engine bearing came apart. The pilot had to make an Emergency landing in Baghdad. Capt. Michael Matestick, the pilot, received the Koren Kolligian Jr. Trophy.
An F-16 fired an AGM-88 at a Patriot missile battery after the missile battery locked on it, no damage or casualties.
September 17, 2016 - An attack with F-16s & A-10s killed 62 Syrian soldiers.
December 25, 2014 - An F-16 crashed in Syria. ISIS forces captured and murdered the pilot.
November 28, 2014 - Capt. William H. DuBois died in an F-16 crash.
November 12, 2008 - An F-16 caught fire after an aborted take off. The second stage disk fan failed causing fan section components to tear through the rest of the engine.
July 15, 2007 - An F-16 crashed on takeoff at Balad Air Base. The pilot ejected safely. The crash was attributed to low tire pressure.
June 15, 2007 - A USAF 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing F-16 crashed in Iraq. The pilot died. Pilot disorientation was cited as the cause of the crash.
November 27, 2006 - A USAF F-16CG crashed approximately 20 miles northwest of Baghdad the pilot died in the crash.
January 9, 2004 - A USAF F-16 dropped a GBU-38, 500-lb GPS-guided bomb on the wrong target and killed at least five civilians.
June 15, 2003 - a USAF F-16 collided with another F-16 while taxiing. The mishap injured a maintenance person and caused $3.2 million in damage to the F-16s and ground equipment.
July 18, 2001 - a USAF F-16 on a Northern Watch patrol crashed in Turkey because of an engine malfunction. The pilot ejected safely
OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM

F-16s of the 555th EFS flew close air support sorties during Operation Hammer Down II, July 2011.
The Illinois ANG 170th flew 88 Operation Enduring Freedom sorties.
European F-16s logged 4,500 Operation Enduring Freedom hours.
6 Danish F-16s flew 260 missions and logged 1,600 Operation Enduring Freedom hours.
December 30, 2011 - 2 F-16s flew overwatch for two downed Apache crew members..
September 26, 2008 - F-16As bombed and strafed enemy forces. An F-16C provided a show of force.
February 2007 - USAF F-16s supported ground forces in the vicinity of Kajaki.
August 8, 2006 - Two Dutch F-16s supported ground forces in an operation where 20 Talibans were killed.
August 2006 - USAF F-16s supported ground forces in Musah Qal'eh.
July 2006 - RNAF F-16s supported ground forces in Musah Qal'eh.
June 2006 - RNAF F-16s supported ground forces in Kandahar.
June 2006 - F-16s supported ground forces in Asadabad, Deh Rawood, Orgun-E, and Tarin Kowt.
May 31, 2006 - An F-16 supported ground forces in Tarin Kowt.
An F-16 helped a B-1 strike a "Leadership" compound in Kandahar.
2 F-16s attacked buildings in the Zawar Kili camp on 9 January, 2002.
Two Norweigan F-16s supported the battle on January 27 & 28, 2003. One Norweigan F-16 dropped 2 x 500lb bombs. It was the first time a Norweigan Air Force plane fired in anger since World War II.
August 25, 2003 - F-16s participated in an action that resulted in 14 Talibans being killed.
February 4, 2003 - two Danish F-16s dropped 4x250Kg laser guided bombs. It was the first time Danish aircraft fired in anger during Operation Enduring Freedom
March 29, 2003 - F-16s dropped 2 x GBU-12 bombs against Taliban holdouts.
March 3, 2002 - F-16s struck two dug in positions.
April 25, 2003 - Two F-16 were launched in support of a ground unit in a firefight. They were unable to find targets.
October 13, 2015 - Enemy small arms fire struck a USAF F-16. The pilot had to jettison 2 fuel tanks and 3 weapons.
A Danish F-16 crash landed at Bagram AB on December 19, 2002.
April 3, 2013 - Captain James Michael Steel was killed in an F-16 crash. The Air Combat Command Accident Investigation Board attributed the crash to Captain Steel's failure to perceive mountainous terrain in his flight path.
An Illinois Air National Guard F-16 of the 18rd FW, dropped a bomb on Canadian soldiers of, 3 Btn, Princess Patricia's Light Infantry Battle Group. The bomb killed four Canadian troops and wounded eight others.
March 29, 2016 - A turbine blade failure caused an F-16CM of the 455th AEW, 421st FS, to crash during takeoff. The pilot ejected safely.
OPERATION ALLIED FORCE (KOSOVO)

A Dutch F-16AM shot down a MiG-29. This is the first time since World War II Dutch fighters have shot down an enemy aircraft.
An F-16CJ of the 78th EFS shot down a MiG-29 on 4 May 1999. The pilot's call sign was "Dog". The F-16s used AIM-120s to make their air victories. A pilot, call sign "Buster", of the 555th FS destroyed a MiG-21 on the ground. F-16s provided cover during the rescue of the F-117 pilot. A US F-16 destroyed an SA-6 Training Facility. Dutch F-16s participated in an attack on a vehicle convoy. In this attack aircraft destroyed at least 12 armored vehicles. F-16s destroyed an explosives plant at Lukanti. F-16s killed three Yugoslavian police officers. One barracks was destroyed by the 31st Fighter Wing. F-16s destroyed an underground Command and Control site. F-16s destroyed a Communications Tower. F-16s destroyed a command post. F-16s destroyed 5 military vehicles. Attacked a munitions production area. An F-16 destroyed an ammunition storage area. Attacked a troop concentration. Destroyed a cave. An F-16 served as FAC for an attack where a B-30 artillery piece was destroyed. F-16s damaged 3 tanks. Struck two reveted areas. Destroyed the Security Service Headquarters at Iztoc. Attacked a Security facility. Damaged an airfield.
An F-16, Serial Number 88-0550, of the 555 Fighter Squadron was lost over Western Serbia. The pilot was rescued.

OTHER INCIDENTS

February 12, 2023 - F-16 shot down a UFO over Lake Huron.
October 2022 F-16s intercepted two small planes that entered temporarily restricted airspace in Southern California.
January 24, 2022 - A UAE F-16 destroyed a Houthi missile launcher.
September 21, 2021 - An F-16 diverted a light plane away from New York City.
May 13, 2021 - An Israeli Air Force F-16 shot down a terrorist drone.
March 1, 2020 - A Turkish Air Force F-16 shot down 2 Syrian Air Force Su-24s.
February 27, 2019 - The Indian Air Force claimed to have shot down a Pakistani Air Force F-16. The Indian Air Force credited Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, a MiG-21 pilot, with the kill. Wing Commander Varthaman was also shot down. Pakistan claimed he was shot down by a JF-17 "Thunder" and denied any losses. Pakistan using F-16s in this air battle would be a clear violation of Pakistan's sales agreement with the U.S..
September 17, 2018 - F-16s struck targets in Syria.
October 28, 2015 - Two New Jersey Air National Guard F-16s tracked a U.S. Army blimp that broke from its mooring. The blimp landed in Pennsylvania.
August 28, 2015 - Two Colorado Air National Guard F-16s scrambled to escort a civilian jetliner that declared an in-flight emergency because of an unruly passenger.
August 11, 2015 - A USAF F-16 crashed in Bavaria, Germany. The pilot ejected safely.
June 25, 2015 - An Iraqi Air Force F-16 crashed near Douglas, Arizona.
February 16, 2015 - Egyptian F-16s bombed ISIS targets in Lybia.
April 16, 2014 - Royal Jordanian Air Force F-16s attacked and destroyed a number of armored vehicles trying to enter Jordan through Syria.
March 23, 2014 - A Turkish F-16 shot down a Syrian MiG-23.
2014 - A Turkish Air Force F-16 shot down a Syrian Mi-17.
April 25, 2013 - An Israeli Air Force F-16 shot down a remotely piloted aircraft.
February 16, 2013 - F-16s intercepted two Cessnas and a Lancair 320 that entered restricted airspace in Florida.
October 9, 2012 - Turkish F-16s forced down a Syrian Airbus A320 that was carrying weapons from Russia.
October 6, 2012 - An Israeli Air Force F-16 shot down a drone over Israel.
February 16, 2012 - Two F-16s intercepted a Cessna-182 that intruded into Marine One air space over Los Angeles. The plane was carrying 40lbs of marijuana.
November 7, 2011 - Danish F-16s intercepted four Russian reconnaissance aircraft over the Baltic, a TU-134, 2 AN-26s, and an IL-20.
September 11, 2011 - Two F-16s were scrambled when a jetliner reported passengers acting suspiciously.
July 25, 2011 - Two Taiwanese F-16s were scrambled when an Su-27, that was one of a pair of Su-27s that forced a USAF U-2 to abandon its mission, crossed the "dividing line" between the People's Republic Of China and Taiwan.
February 25, 2011 - F-16s redirected four civilian aircraft that strayed into restricted airspace during the launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery during on its STS-131 mission.
January 30, 2011 - F-16s flew over Cairo as a show of force during mass rioting.
November 23, 2010 - South Korean F-16s patrolled the skies near the Northern Limit Line after North Korea shelled Yeonpyeong Island.
November 22, 2010 - Two F-16s intercepted a Cessna 182 that violated Washington DC airspace.
July 9, 2010 - Two F-16s intercepted two private aircraft who violated restricted airspace during President Obama's visit to Nevada. One of the intercepted aircrat was a Cessna 210.
April 2010 - Two F-16s escorted a United Airlines jetliner after Qatari diplomat Mohammed Al-Madadi made a "joke" on the flight about trying to set off a shoe bomb.
January 8, 2010 - 2 Venezuelan F-16s intercepted a US Navy P-3.
July 30, 2009 - F-16s attempted to make airborne contact with an Cirrus SR-22, whose pilot failed to respond to ground control instructions. The SR-22 crashed and its pilot died.
April 24, 2009 - Two F-16s intercepted a Cessna that flew into restricted DC airspace.
April 6, 2009 - Two F-16s tracked a Cessna-172 that was stolen in Canada and flown to the United States.
December 2008 - IAF F-16s participated in Operation Cast Lead.
2008 - F-16s participated in supporting the NATO Summit in Romania.
From October 2003 to April 2003 the USAF didn't have a Class A mishap involving an F-16.
F-16 has a 80-2 Kill-to-Loss ratio in Air-to-Air combat. This includes a Hezbollah Mirsad I UAV on August 7, 2006 by the Israeli Air Force. In 2000 Israeli F-16s destroyed three power stations in Lebanon. In 1995 Dutch F-16s destroyed a Serbian Tank and a Serbian Bunker. In 1994 USAF F-16s destoyed a Serbian truck and a Serbian tent. In one of its first combat uses F-16s destroyed a nuclear reactor in Baghdad.
March 12, 2008 - Two F-16s intercepted a Cessna that violated restricted airspace in Northern Virginia.
February 24, 2008 - Turkish F-16s flew sorties against Kurdish rebels in Iraq.
October 24, 2007 - Turkish F-16s attacked Kurdish rebels in Iraq.
April 11, 2007 - 2 F-16s and 2 F-15s intercepted a Continental Boeing 777 that didn't contact Ben-Gurion Airport on approach.
January 19, 2007 - A USAF F-16 crashed in California. The pilot ejected safely
October 3, 2006 - Two Italian Air Force F-16s from the 37 esimo Stormo escorted a hijacked Turkish Airlines Boeing 737-400 to an Italian airport.
An F-16 crashed near Spangdahlem AB Germany, the pilot, 1st Lt. Trevor Merrell, ejected safely.
August 23, 2006 - Two RNAF F-16s escorted a U.S. Northwest Airlines DC10-30, Flight NW0042 to Schiphol Airport after an in-flight incident.
August 18, 2006 - An Italian Air Force F-16 escorted an Excel Airways Boeing 767, that was the victim of a bomb threat, to Brindisi. July 2006 - Israeli Air Force F-16s participated in Operation Just Reward.
June 24, 2006 - 2 RNAF F-16s intercepted a B737 that the ground control couldn't contact.
June 5, 2006 - 2 F-16s intercepted a Cessna 182 that flew into the restricted air space around Washington, DC.
April 21, 2006 - 2 F-16s escorted a commercial A-320 to Denver IAP after a bomb scare.
August 14, 2005 - Two Hellenic Air Force F-16s attempted to escort a Helios Airways Boeing 737 in distress. The F-16 pilots reported the jetliners cockpit crew was slumped over and the passengers had their oxygen masks hanging. The 737 crashed into a mountain all on board died.
July 26, 2005 - Two F-16s escorted a civilian aircraft out of the restricted area during the launch of the STS Discovery. Captains Craig Simmons and Joseph Palen were the two F-16 pilots.
July 2006 - Three Royal Netherland Air Force F-16s assisted in the search for missing American tourist Natalee Holloway.
June 29, 2005 - F-16s intercepted a Beach King Air 350, belonging to the Standridge Color Corp., that flew into restricted airspace around Washington, DC.
May 11, 2005 - Two F-16s fired four flares and escorted a Cessna 150, piloted by Hayden L. "Jim" Sheaffer with Teoy Martin as a passenger, that flew into the restricted zone near Washington, DC. Lt. Col. Tim Lehman flew one of the F-16s.
Two F-16s forced down a Piper Arrow that flew too close to a nuclear plant. Citrus County Sheriff's deputies met the Arrow and arrested the pilot and passenger when they found 65 pounds of marijuana on board.
November 10, 2003 - Two USAF F-16s escorted a Mooney M20 out of restricted Washington, DC airspace.
October 20, 2003 - Israeli Air Force F-16s destroyed a Hamas weapons factory.
October 5, 2003 - Israeli Air Force F-16s struck the Ain Saheb terrorist training camp. One building struck was a weapons workshop. One person was reported injured in the raid. (source: http://www.f-16.net)
September 6, 2003 - an Israeli Air Force F-16 dropped a bomb on a building where a senior Hamas leader was staying the attack injured 16 including the leader.
August 14, 2003 - US Northern Command launched two F-16s out of Andrews AFB as a precaution during the blackout.
October 7, 2015 - A Russian Air Force Su-30SM got and held a missile lock on 2 Turkish Air Force F-16s for 5 minutes and 40 seconds.
April 15, 2015 - An engine oil leak forced a pilot to make an emergency landing at Aomori regional airport.
April 7, 2015 - An engine failure caused an F-16 to make an emergency landing at Muan International Airport, South Korea.
December 3, 2012 - An F-16 ran off the runway at Kunsan AB, Korea.
July 29, 2011 - An F-16 ran into another F-16 while taxiing. One F-16 sustained $2M in damages, the other F-16 received $590,000 in damages. The incident was blamed on pilot error.
July 28, 2011 - An F-16C overran the runway at Whittman Regional Airport, WI causing damage to the aircraft.
April 27, 2009 - Two F-16s and a VC-25 flew near the Statue of Liberty. The site of the low flying aircraft caused many office workers to evacuate their buildings.
April 2, 2008 - An F-16 landed with its landing gear up at Gila Bend Auxiliary Field, AZ.
May 15, 2007 - A flare from an F-16 started a New Jersey forest fire. The fire burned burned 22 square miles.
November 28, 2005 - An F-16 ran off a runway on landing at Osan AB, Republic of Korea. Damage to the plane was more than $1 million.
August 20, 2005 - Two USAF Thunderbirds touched wingtips during an airshow.
June 8, 2005 - An F-16 sustained damage to its right main landing gear and 341 bulkhead after landing at NAS Fort Worth. Damage was about $1 million.
May 3, 2005 - An Israeli F-16C had a landing gear malfunction. Both pilots egressed safely.
November 4, 2004 - An F-16 accidentally straffed Little Egg Harbor Intermediate School, NJ with 25 rounds of cannon fire.
March 9, 2004 - Two USAF F-16s collided over the Atlantic. Both aircraft returned safely. The investigation sited pilot error.
December 22, 2003 - A USAF F-16 blew a tire on takeoff. Maj. Dave Gritsavage made an emergency landing.
September 25, 2003 - A USAF F-16 struck a power-line guy wire. Lt. Col. Robert Paradis and Lt. Mirko Van Meerlant, RNAF, were uninjured.
December 9, 2020 - An F-16 crashed in Michigan.
May 16, 2019 - An F-16 crashed into a warehouose in Riverside County, CA. The pilot ejected safely. April 24, 2018 - An F-16C crashed at Lake Havasu Airport. The pilot ejected safely.
April 4, 2018 - An F-16 of the USAF Thunderbirds crashed in Nevada. The crash killed the pilot, Major Stephen Del Bagno. February 9, 2018 - Pilot error caused an Israeli F-16 to crash after a bombing raid in Syria.
September 5, 2017 - An F-16 of the 162nd Wing of the Arizona Air National Guard crashed.
June 23, 2017 - An F-16D of the USAF Thunderbirds flipped over after landing at Dayton, Ohio. The pilot and passenger were injured in the incident.
June 21, 2017 - An Oklahoma Air National Guard F-16 crashed in Texas. The pilot ejected.
April 6, 2017 - A Washington, DC Air National Guard F-16 crashed in Maryland.
February 2, 2017 - An errant bomb dropped by an F-16 killed a civilian contractor and injured an airman at Holloman AFB, NM.
June 7, 2016 - Two Air National Guard F-16s collided over Georgia. The pilots ejected safely.
June 2, 2016 - An F-16 of the USAF Thunderbirds crashed after a flyover of the Air Force Academy. The pilot ejected safely. A stuck button on the throttle caused the crash.
January 21, 2016 - An F-16 crashed in Arizona. Maj. Kao Ting-cheng, a Taiwanese student pilot, died in the crash.
December 2015 - A Bahrain AF F-16, during Yemen operations, crashed inside Saudi Arabia.
November 25, 2015 - An F-16C crashed over the White Sands Missile Range. The pilot ejected safely.
August 15, 2015 - Two F-16s were involved in a ground collision at Nellis AFB. One pilot was injured. Total damage was $70 million.
July 7, 2015 - An F-16 collided with a Cessna 150. The two people in the Cessna died, the F-16 pilot ejected safely.
May 2015 - A Moroccan AF F-16 crashed in Yemen. Its pilot was killed in the crash.
January 26, 2015 - A Hellenic Air Force F-16 crashed into a group of French and Italian combat aircraft at Los Llanos AB, Spain. The two F-16 crew members and 9 French Air Force personnel were killed. 21 French and Italian airmen and 8 USAF airmen were also injured.
November 30, 2014 - An F-16 crashed in the Middle East, killing the pilot.
November 6, 2014 - Spatial disorientation caused an F-16 to crash into the Gulf of Mexico, the civlian pilot Matthew J. LaCourse, was killed. LaCourse retired from the USAF as a Lieutenant Colonel.
October 21, 2014 - Two F-16Cs of the Oklahoma Air National Guard's 138th Fighter Wing collided. One pilot ejected safely, the other F-16 landed safely.
August 1, 2013 - Two F-16Cs of the 113th Wing DC Air National Guard collided. One Fighting Falcon, serial number 86-0347, crashed the pilot ejected safely. The other suffered severe damage to its right wing.
July 16, 2013 - An F-16C's landing gear collapsed on landing. The pilot suffered minor back injuries. The F-16 was destroyed.
July 7, 2013 - An Israeli Air Force F-16 crashed into the Mediterranean Sea after an engine malfunction. Both crew members bailed out safely.
June 26, 2013 = Bird injestion caused an F-16D of the 309 FS crashed at Luke AFB, AZ, both pilots ejected safely.
January 28, 2013 - Spatial disorientation caused an F-16 of the 31st Fighter Wing crashed in the Adriatic Sea, the pilot, Major Lucas Gruenther, was killed.
December 27, 2012 - An F-16C of the California Air National Guard 144th Fighter Squadron crashed in California. The pilot ejected safely. The crash was attributed to pilot error.
July 22, 2012 - A USAF F-16 crashed into the Pacific Ocean. The pilot ejected safely. The crash was caused by an engine anomaly.
July 16, 2012 - A USAF, 35th Fighter Wing, F-16 crashed into the Pacific Ocean. The pilot was injured.
May 4, 2012 - A USAF F-16 at the Utah Test and Training Range. The pilot ejected safely.
March 21, 2011 - A 36th Fighter Squadron F-16C crashed near Kunsan AB, Korea, the pilot ejected safely.
June 28, 2011 - An F-16C crashed 120 miles north of Las Vegas. The pilot, Capt. Eric Ziegler, was killed.
June 7, 2011 - A Wisconsin Air National Guard F-16 crashed near Chester, WI. The pilot ejected safely.
February 15, 2011 - Two Royal Thai Air Force F-16s crashed during the U.S. - Thailand Cobra Gold military exercises.
February 25, 2010 - An F-16C of the 36th Fighter Squadron crashed in Korea. The pilot ejected safely.
October 16, 2009 - Human error caused two F-16s to collide off the coast of South Carolina. One F-16 piloted by Capt. Lee Bryant landed safely. The other F-16 crashed in the Atlantic Ocean. Its pilot, Capt. Nicholas Giglio, was killed.
June 22, 2009 - Human error caused an F-16 to crash at the Utah Test and Training Range. The pilot, Capt. George Houghton, was killed on impact.
March 14, 2008 - An F-16 crashed south of Alamo Lake, Ariz. The pilot 2nd Lt. David J. Mitchell died in the crash.
January 15, 2008 - An F-16 crashed in the Gulf of Mexico. The pilot, Maj. Peter S. Smith, ejected and received only minor injuries. Pilot disorentation was sited as the reason for the crash.
March 12, 2007 - An F-16 crashed off the South Florida Coast. The accident review board cited pilot error. The pilot, Maj. Timothy B. Piccin ejected safely.
December 2, 2006 - A worn-out engine weld caused USAF F-16D crashed over the Barry Goldwater Range. Maj. Christopher E. Kibble & Maj. Christopher S. Gough ejected and escaped serious injury.
July 30, 2006 - IDF F-16s struck a building in Qana at about 12 AM. On 2:30 AM Israeli aircraft struck targets 500 meters from the building. On 7:30 AM Israeli aircraft struck targets 460 meters from the building. The building collapsed and killed 27 people.
September 18, 2007 - An F-16 crashed near Aviano AB, Italy. The pilot, Maj. Timothy Palmer, ejected safely. The accident was attributed to bad weather and pilot error.
May 23, 2006 - A Turkish and a Greek F-16 crashed into each other. The Greek pilot was killed.
April 11, 2006 - An F-16 of the 56th Fighter Wing crashed outside of Luke AFB. The pilot ejected safely.
April 5, 2006 - A temporary loss of conciousness caused an F-16CJ to crash into the Altantic. The pilot ejected.
March 14, 2006 - An F-16C of the 35th FS crashed into the West Sea the pilot ejected safely and was picked up by a Korean HH-60.
2 Danish F-16 flew low and caused a reindeer to have a heart attack and die. The reindeer's name was Rudolph.
June 28, 2005 - An F-16 crashed at Buckley AFB, CO. Pilot ejected safely.
April 18, 2005 - An F-16D crashed near Charleston, SC, May. Steve Granger and Lt. Col. Maurice Salcedo ejected safely.
March 18, 2004 - An F-16 crashed on takeoff at Nellis AFB. The pilot ejected safely.
May 19, 2004 - G-induced loss of conciousness, spatial disorientation or a combination of the two caused a Singapore Air Force F-16 crashed over Arizona. The pilot Lt. Brandon Loo, Singapore AF, died in the crash.
May 17, 2004 - Two F-16s collided. Maj. William E. Burchett, USAF, died in the crash. Maj. Thomas R. Sims ejected safely.
January 16, 2004 - A Turkish AF F-16 crashed. The pilot Lt. Mehmet Karakuzu was killed in the crash.
December 9, 2003 - Two Belgian AF F-16s collided with each other and crashed both pilots survived.
September 22, 2003 - A turbine blade failure caused an F-16, Serial Number 84-1303, of the Texas Air National Guard to crash near Rosepine, LA. The pilot ejected with minor injuries.
September 14, 2003 - An F-16, Serial Number 87-0327, of the USAF Thunderbirds crashed in Mountain Home, ID. The pilot Captain Chris Stricklin ejected safely. The investigation sited human error as the cause of the crash.
September 9, 2003 - The investigation sited poor situational awarness caused an F-16 crashed into the Yellow Sea. The pilot, Captain Kevin Dydyk ejected and Republic of Korea forces rescued him. Capt. Tood Kouchins was flying in another F-16.
June 13, 2003 - An F-16, Serial Number 85-1445, ingested a turkey vulture and crashed. The pilot, Captain Valentine Arbogast, ejected safely.
Bird ingestion of at least one spot-billed duck caused an F-16 to crash at Osan AB, Korea on May 29, 2003. The pilot ejected with slight injuries. Yi Chun Mu, a civilan who worked at Osan AB, was slightly injured by debris.

Minnesota Air National Guard's 179th Fighter Squadron, won the Raytheon Trophy for 2008.
USAF F-16 Class A mishaps FY-2002 - 7; FY-2003 - 11; FY-2004 - 2; FY-2005 - 5
USAF F-16 Mission-Capable rates: 2001 - 74.5%; 2002 - 76.2%; 2003 - 76.6%; 2004 - 76.2%; 2005 - 78.1%

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Send questions or comments to: Robert Sacchi