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.
Lockheed F-16C Block 52+ MSN XK-24 99-1523 / 523 joined the HAF 115 PM in November 2003 and remained there until September 2007 when it transferred to HAF 340 Mira “Fox” Squadron, Soúda Air Base, Crete. In June 2016 the aircraft received a special paint scheme “Zeus III” representing the father of the Olympian Gods of the Ancient Greek Mythology. This F-16C was the solo aircraft for the 2016 Hellenic Air Force Zeus Demo Team. The F-16C Block 52+ is equipped with conformal fuel tanks.