Royal Danish Air Force F-16 Solo Display Team to Display at RIAT 2025 for the Very Last Time
In the summer of 2025, the skies above RAF Fairford will resonate with the roar of a General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon one final time, as the Royal Danish Air Force (RDAF) F-16 Solo Display Team takes flight at the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT). This performance marks the end of a remarkable chapter for both the team and the aircraft itself, as Denmark accelerates the retirement of its F-16 fleet to make way for the cutting-edge F-35 Lightning II. For aviation enthusiasts, air show professionals, and military personnel alike, this event promises to be a poignant farewell to an aircraft that has defined Danish military aviation for over four decades, and a celebration of its enduring legacy.
The significance of this return is heightened by the team’s storied history at RIAT and the special touches planned for their swan song. In an official statement this week, RIAT announced, “We’re pleased to announce another fast jet for the RIAT25 flying display, in the form of the Danish F-16! Once again coming from Fighter Wing Skrydstrup, flown by long-term display pilot ‘TEO’ with his specially painted aircraft, for what could be the last time we ever see a classic F-16AM in the RIAT flying display.” Captain Troels K. Dehli Vang, known as “TEO,” will pilot the iconic F-16AM, resplendent in its “Dannebrog” livery inspired by the Danish flag. This aircraft has become a symbol of national pride, its dynamic maneuvers—high-speed passes, tight turns, and vertical climbs—showcasing both the F-16’s agility and TEO’s exceptional skill.
Danish F-16 / Royal International Air Tattoo 2024
Adding to the occasion, the RDAF will bring a two-seater F-16BM for static display, tying into RIAT’s celebration of 40 years at RAF Fairford. The announcement further noted, “They’ll also bring a two-seater F-16BM for static display. This jet will be part of our celebrations to mark 40 years of calling RAF Fairford home to the Air Tattoo, as the Royal Danish Air Force also sent an F-16B (ET-615) to the 1985 show. We have asked them to bring this exact airframe, which is still in operational service four decades on, but it of course depends on serviceability.” This nod to history underscores the F-16’s longevity and the team’s deep connection to RIAT, making their final appearance all the more evocative.
The F-16 Solo Display Team has been a highlight of the air show circuit since the early 2010s, earning accolades at events like Farnborough and Radom for their precision and flair. Captain Vang, a veteran pilot with thousands of flight hours, has been the driving force behind the team’s recent successes. His journey with the RDAF began in the late 2000s, and his mastery of the F-16 has shone through in performances like the 2024 RIAT, where he debuted the freshly painted Dannebrog-liveried F-16 E-006. For TEO, this final season is personal—a chance to honour an aircraft he describes as a trusted partner, one he has flown through combat missions, training sorties, and countless displays. The team’s departure from the skies in 2025 will close a chapter that has captivated aviation enthusiasts and showcased Denmark’s aerial prowess to the world.
RIAT 2025 will feature a stellar lineup alongside the Danish F-16, ensuring a spectacular show for attendees. The flying display will include the Finnish Air Force’s McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Hornet, the German Air Force’s Airbus A400M Atlas, the Spanish Air and Space Force’s Eurofighter C.16 Tifón, and the Swedish Air Force’s Sikorsky Hkp16 Blackhawk. The Portuguese Air Force will present the rarely seen Leonardo AW101 Merlin, while the German Army Aviation brings the NH Industries NH90TTH. The Czech Air Force will showcase the PZL-Swidnik W-3A Sokol, and the RAF will field its home teams, including the Red Arrows, Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4, and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight with the Avro Lancaster B1, Supermarine Spitfire, and Hawker Hurricane IIc. The Royal Jordanian Falcons will round out this impressive roster, adding an international flair to the event.
The F-16’s history with the RDAF is a tale of innovation and service that began in the mid-1970s when Denmark joined the European Participating Air Forces (EPAF) to procure the jet. The first F-16A arrived in 1980, and the fleet grew to 77 aircraft, evolving through upgrades like the Mid-Life Update in the 1990s to remain a cutting-edge asset. It saw combat in Operation Allied Force in 1999 and supported missions in Afghanistan, proving its versatility in air-to-air combat and ground strikes. As the F-35 takes over, the F-16’s retirement marks the end of a 45-year legacy, but its impact endures through the team’s electrifying displays and the memories they’ve created.
For RIAT 2025, the F-16 Solo Display Team’s final performance will be a fitting tribute to this remarkable aircraft. It’s a moment for the air show community—industry professionals and enthusiasts alike—to reflect on the Falcon’s contributions and celebrate its last dance in the skies. As Captain Vang guides his F-16 through its final manoeuvres over Fairford, the roar of its engine will echo as a salute to the past and a bridge to Denmark’s future with the F-35. This is not just a display; it’s a farewell to a legend, and RIAT 2025 will be the place to witness it.
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