Air International 2019-01
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D.Isby - Flying F-16s to 2048. Upgrading a US Air Force classic /Military/
All tooled-up. Block 52 F-16C 93-0533 assigned to the 157th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron configured with a weapon payload comprising two AIM-120 AMRAAM and two AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, two 300-gallon drop tanks, two 500lb GBU-54 Laser JDAMs, four 250lb GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs, and an AAQ-33 Sniper pod.
Seen at low-level in California, Block 30 F-16C 86-0304/AK is assigned to the 18th Aggressor Squadron home-based at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. The unit deployed to Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada during October to support the US Air Force Weapons School.
A recent colour scheme to appear with the Eielson-based 18th Aggressor Squadron features a three-colour splinter pattern as seen on Block 30 F-16C 86-0310/AK.
Notable in this on-the-boom shot of a 157th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron Block 52 F-16C is a launcher pod on the right side pylon loaded with ten APKWS 2.75-inch rockets.
A Block 52 F-16C assigned to the 157th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron on the boom during a close air support mission over Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. The aircraft is armed with two 500lb GBU-54 Laser JDAMs (left pylon) and at least two 250lb GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs (right pylon).
Block 40 F-16C 88-0454/HO is the current mount of the 8th Fighter Squadron commander, seen on take-off from March Air Reserve Base, California during a cross country flight from its home base, Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico.
Spangdahlem-based Block 50 F-16C 96-0080/SP is the current mount of the 480th Fighter Squadron commander. The jet is seen on take-off from Kallax Air Base, Sweden during the recent NATO exercise, Trident Juncture 2018.