Today in History

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February 1978
First European F-16 assembly line opens at SONACA/SABCA in Belgium.

 

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February 2008
Morocco orders 24 F-16s becoming the 25th customer.

 

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February 1989
First F-16 Air Defense Fighter retrofit modification is completed.

 

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February 1, 2006
FACh accepts first F-16 from Peace Puma order.

 

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February 2, 1974
Official first flight of the YF-16 protoype (#72-1567), with test pilot Phil Oestricher at the controls, reaching 400 mph and 30,000 feet.

 

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February 3, 1989
The first F-16 Aggressor is delivered in Mig-29 Fulcrum paint scheme.

February 3, 2003
16th Weapons Squadron of the USAF reactivated at Nellis AFB, Nevada retaining the history of the first operational F-16 squadron.

 

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February 4, 1993
Secretary of Defense Aspin makes decision to include funding for 24 USAF F-16s in fiscal year 1994 defense budget. Longlead money for 24 aircraft in 1995 is included in budget.

 

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February 5, 1988
F-16 Combined Test Force (CTF) completes testing of Pratt and Whitney F100-PW-220E engine.

 

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February 6, 1986
USAF increases its planned F-16 acquisition from 2,795 to 3,047.

 

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February 7, 1985
Formal delivery of the 998th F-16 produced under the multinational co-production program at Gosselies, Belgium.

 

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February 8, 1983
Belgium orders an additional 44 F-16s.

February 8, 1994
RoKAF accepts first F-16 from Peace Bridge II order.

 

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February 9, 1983
Luke AFB, Arizona, is activated as a major F-16 pilot training base.

 

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February 10, 1975
Preliminary design review from 10th to 13th of February.

 

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February 11, 1981
F-16 launches first Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM).

 

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February 12, 1997
Frank Dewinne lands his F-16 after an engine and navigation system failure safely during adverse weather conditions, earning him the 1997 Semper Viper award.