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.
Formed on October 10, 1941 the 335th Mira (callsign Tigers) is the oldest active Hellenic Air Force squadron. The unit is part of the 116 Combat Wing stationed at Araxos AB and in 1993 after the First Gulf War, received 62 surplus USAF A-7H Corsairs. These aircraft were used until 2008 when the 335 Mira began receiving the new F-16D and became operational in 2010 as a multi-role squadron. In 1972 335 Mira became a member of the NATO Tiger Association and are called “Aegean Tigers”.