The 56th Tools Upkeep Squadron unveiled an F-16D Combating Falcon painted in a heritage shade scheme on the 310th Air Upkeep Unit hanger on Luke Air Drive Base, Arizona, June 17, 2022. This explicit jet was the primary American F-16 to attain an aerial victory. Throughout this mission, an armed MiG-25 Foxbat entered into the no-fly zone. Realizing that he and his wingmen had been in peril, North requested clearance to fireplace. The paint scheme for this jet was achieved by 12 Fabrication Flight Airmen assigned to corrosion management right here at Luke AFB, as a way of honoring North’s actions and Air Drive heritage. The paint job required 1,500 man-hours and over 13 gallons of paint.

An F-16D Combating Falcon sits on show throughout an unveiling ceremony on the 310th Air Upkeep Unit hanger June 17, 2022 at Luke Air Drive Base, Arizona. Lt. Col. Gary “Nordo” North utilized this jet to eradicate an enemy MiG-25 Foxbat throughout Operation Southern Watch. (U.S. Air Drive picture by Senior Airman Caleb F. Butler)

“The plane earlier than you earned the moniker ‘MiG Killer’ on account of the occasions that occurred on Dec. 27, 1992. On at the present time, Lt. Col. Gary “Nordo” North, who was flying this F-16D, tail quantity 0778, led a flight of 4 F-16s on a routine Operation Southern Watch mission in Iraq. He lastly heard ‘bandit-bandit-bandit, cleared to kill’ over his headset. North locked on with an AIM-120 AMRAAM (Superior Medium Vary Anti-Plane Missile), fired his missile, and eradicated the MiG” stated 1st Lt. James Mobbley, 56th EMS Fabrication Flight officer in cost, on the unveiling ceremony.

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A bay door of an F-16D Fighting Falcon sits ajar during an unveiling ceremony at the 310th Air Maintenance Unit hanger June 17, 2022, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. Lt. Col. Gary “Nordo” North utilized this jet to eliminate an enemy MiG-25 Foxbat during Operation Southern Watch.
A bay door of an F-16D Combating Falcon sits ajar throughout an unveiling ceremony on the 310th Air Upkeep Unit hanger June 17, 2022, at Luke Air Drive Base, Arizona. Lt. Col. Gary “Nordo” North utilized this jet to eradicate an enemy MiG-25 Foxbat throughout Operation Southern Watch. It’s the first American F-16 to earn an aerial victory. (U.S. Air Drive picture by Senior Airman Caleb F. Butler)

“This ‘What if’ design pulls cues from the Desert Camouflage Uniform worn throughout the firsthttps://militaryleak.com/wp-admin/options-general.php?web page=sharing&motion=request&service=fb&kr_nonce=d13b9f3ded&refresh=1&for=publicize&nonce=925c420711 Gulf Conflict, and an identical experimental livery of camouflage that was examined at the moment. Only a few photos exist of the take a look at scheme, because it was hand rolled utilizing latex paint, and solely lasted every week earlier than being eliminated. With this design, we not solely pay homage to the historical past of Basic North and 0778, but it surely additionally permits us to reimagine if this paint scheme was chosen to be used throughout Operation Southern Watch,” stated Workers Sgt. Michael Cichonsky, 56th Tools Upkeep Squadron F-35 low observable plane structural maintainer.

Members of the fabrication flight’s corrosion control team stand with their newly painted F-16D Fighting Falcon during an unveiling ceremony at the 310th Air Maintenance Unit hanger June 17, 2022, at Luke Air Force Base Phoenix, Arizona.
Members of the fabrication flight’s corrosion management staff stand with their newly painted F-16D Combating Falcon throughout an unveiling ceremony on the 310th Air Upkeep Unit hanger June 17, 2022, at Luke Air Drive Base Phoenix, Arizona. (U.S. Air Drive picture by Senior Airman Caleb F. Butler)