This year the Belgian Air Force is celebrating the 75th anniversary of its creation and for this occasion, a single F-16AM from the Florennes Air Base received a special livery.

“Proud of the past, always deployable, ready for the challenges of tomorrow! This year, the Belgian Air Force is celebrating the 75th anniversary of its creation on October 15, 1946. In addition to the organization of the Belgian Air Force Days at the Florennes air base and the large military tattoo at the Parc du Cinquantenaire in Brussels, this anniversary is being celebrated with a special painting of one of our F-16 fighter planes from the Florennes air base. The three planes logo makes the link between the present, the past and the future. The silhouette of the Spitfire refers to the first fighter plane operated by our Air Force. On October 15, 1946, two squadrons, the 349th and the 350th, took off from their RAF airfield in Fassberg, Germany. Their landing at Evere Airport was part of the inauguration ceremony and marked the very beginning of our current Air Force. The middle plane, the F-16, symbolizes the contemporary deployments of our assets and our personnel in operation: in the Balkans, through Afghanistan and Libya until today's mission in the Middle East. and in the Baltic States. We prove every day that we are a reliable partner in peace and security missions. The F-35 is already a nod to the future. With the arrival of the F-35 fighter jets, but also of the NH-90, MQ-9B and A400M transport aircraft, our Air Force will have the equipment and personnel to support the interests of our country. and those of our allies where necessary. Florennes Air Base, home of the hunters In 1942, almost 80 years ago, the German occupier built an aerodrome on the Florennes-Juzaine site. The airfield, officially opened in 1943 and used by the Luftwaffe, serves mainly as a base for night fighter operations. In 1947, the Belgian military aviation authority took over the Florennes base and Major Aviator Lallemant DFC BAR was appointed corps commander of the 161st Day Fighter Wing, formed by the 351st and 352nd squadrons equipped with the Supermarine Spitfire. In February 1948, the name of the 161st Day Wing became 2nd Fighter Wing and the two squadrons were renamed 1st and 2nd Squadron respectively. The Florennes base remains the cradle of combat aircraft throughout its history. The Spitfire fighters were replaced by the F-84E Thunderjet in 1951, the F-84F Thunderstreak in 1955, the Mirage V in 1970 and finally the F-16 Fighting Falcon in 1988. Soon ready for the first flight. In recent days, attentive eyes will have already been able to spot the aircraft adorned with its anniversary paint in one of our hangars. After a final engine inspection at the Engine Shop, the F-16 will be ready for its first flight through Belgian airspace. Our professional painters have done a fantastic job. Prepare your camera!”

Text: Belgian Air Force - Adjt Jozef Vanden Broeck