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[[Image:F-16.JPG‎ |thumb||]]

[[Image:F-16.JPG‎|thumb]]

The '''F-16 Fighting Falcon''' is a multirole fighter aircraft. There are several versions serving in 24 air forces; with over 4000 of the aircraft produced, the F-16 is one of the most successful modern fighters. The Falcon has scored a number of times in combat, its most well-known mission being the [[Israeli]] bombing raid that destroyed the Iraqi [[nuclear power]] plant at Osirak in 1981.<ref>''Raid on the Sun'', by Rodger W. Clarke, 2004</ref> The aircraft is known for excellent [[dogfight]]ing maneuverability.

The '''F-16 Fighting Falcon''' is a multirole fighter aircraft. There are several versions serving in 24 air forces; with over 4000 of the aircraft produced, the F-16 is one of the most successful modern fighters. The Falcon has scored a number of times in combat, its most well-known mission being the [[Israeli]] bombing raid that destroyed the Iraqi [[nuclear power]] plant at Osirak in 1981.<ref>''Raid on the Sun'', by Rodger W. Clarke, 2004</ref> The aircraft is known for excellent [[dogfight]]ing maneuverability.

*[[Thailand]] (61)

*[[Thailand]] (61)

*[[Turkey]] (270) (all built under TAI)  

*[[Turkey]] (270) (all built under TAI)  

*[[United Arab Emirates ]] (80)

*[[United Arab Emirates]] (80)

*[[USA]] (1,245), some later sold to other countries

*[[USA]] (1,245), some later sold to other countries

*[[Venezuela]] (24) (have the least advanced f-16s of all users)

*[[Venezuela]] (24) (have the least advanced f-16s of all users)

===Pakistan===

===Pakistan===

[[Pakistan]] was an early customer for F-16s, which were soon involved in clashes with Soviet and [[Afghanistan|Afghan]] aircraft during the [[Afghanistan War|Soviet occupation of Afghanistan]].  The Pakistani Air Force claims to have downed ten attack and transport aircraft over Pakistani territory between 1986 and 1989.<ref>[http://www.pakdef.info/pakmilitary/airforce/war/indexafghanwar.html Pakistan Border Battles]</ref>  In May of 1987, Afghan officials claimed that their jets shot down a Pakistani F-16 that had crossed into Afghan airspace, <ref>[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE3DD143DF931A35756C0A961948260 Afghans Down a Pakistani F-16] (The New York Times)</ref>

[[Pakistan]] was an early customer for F-16s, which were soon involved in clashes with Soviet and [[Afghanistan|Afghan]] aircraft during the [[Afghanistan War|Soviet occupation of Afghanistan]].  The Pakistani Air Force claims to have downed ten attack and transport aircraft over Pakistani territory between 1986 and 1989.<ref>[http://www.pakdef.info/pakmilitary/airforce/war/indexafghanwar.html Pakistan Border Battles]</ref>  In May 1987, Afghan officials claimed that their jets shot down a Pakistani F-16 that had crossed into Afghan airspace,<ref>[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE3DD143DF931A35756C0A961948260 Afghans Down a Pakistani F-16] (The New York Times)</ref>

===Gulf War===

===Gulf War===

The F-16 was the most numerous airplane type in the [[Gulf War]],<ref>''Desert Storm: Air War'', by Robert F. Dorr, Motorbooks International</ref> and flew the most combat sorties, almost 13,500.<ref>[http://home.iae.nl/users/wbergmns/info/f16.htm General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon]</ref>  F-16 units maintained a 95.2 % mission capable rate during the war.  Three were lost in combat, all to SAMs, all three of the pilots becoming POWs.  Four other Falcons were lost in non-combat accidents or mishaps.<ref>[http://www.f-16.net/f-16_mishaps_year-1991.html F-16 Accident Reports for 1991 (includes combat losses)]</ref>

The F-16 was the most numerous airplane type in the [[Gulf War]],<ref>''Desert Storm: Air War'', by Robert F. Dorr, Motorbooks International</ref> and flew the most combat sorties, almost 13,500.<ref>[http://home.iae.nl/users/wbergmns/info/f16.htm General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon]</ref>  F-16 units maintained a 95.2% mission capable rate during the war.  Three were lost in combat, all to SAMs, all three of the pilots becoming POWs.  Four other Falcons were lost in non-combat accidents or mishaps.<ref>[http://www.f-16.net/f-16_mishaps_year-1991.html F-16 Accident Reports for 1991 (includes combat losses)]</ref>

===Inter-war action over Iraq===

===Inter-war action over Iraq===

USAF F-16s helped patrol the no-fly zones in [[Iraq]] after Desert Storm ended.  They took part in attacks on SAM sites,<ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/strike_930113.htm Air Strike 13 January 1993]</ref><ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/southern_watch-1996.htm Operation Southern Watch 1996 events]</ref> and scored two air-to-air kills, a [[MiG-25]] and a [[MiG-23]], both with [[AIM-120 AMRAAM]] missiles.<ref>http://www.f-16.net/f-16_fighting_falcon_airframe-3150.html</ref><ref>http://www.f-16.net/f-16_fighting_falcon_airframe-2045.html</ref>  These were the first aerial victories for the Fighting Falcon in USAF service.

USAF F-16s helped patrol the no-fly zones in [[Iraq]] after Desert Storm ended.  They took part in attacks on SAM sites,<ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/strike_930113.htm Air Strike 13 January 1993]</ref><ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/southern_watch-1996.htm Operation Southern Watch 1996 events]</ref> and scored two air-to-air kills, a [[MiG-25]] and a [[MiG-23]], both with [[AIM-120 AMRAAM]] missiles.<ref>http://www.f-16.net/f-16_fighting_falcon_airframe-3150.html</ref><ref>http://www.f-16.net/f-16_fighting_falcon_airframe-2045.html</ref>  These were the first aerial victories for the Fighting Falcon in USAF service.

In December of 1998, F-16s also participated in [[Operation Desert Fox]], a series of strikes on Iraqi WMD facilities.<ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/desert_fox_orbat_981216.htm Operation Desert Fox Order of Battle]</ref>

In December 1998, F-16s also participated in [[Operation Desert Fox]], a series of strikes on Iraqi WMD facilities.<ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/desert_fox_orbat_981216.htm Operation Desert Fox Order of Battle]</ref>

===Venezuela===

===Venezuela===

The nation of [[Venezuela]] had acquired F-16s for air defense starting in 1983 and, for a long time, was the only South American user.  When a Venezuelan Air Force general attempted a coup in November of 1992 (the second in Venezuela that year), two F-16 pilots stayed loyal to the government.  They played a key role in quashing the rebellion, effectively countering the insurgents’ air power and shooting down three aircraft (two American-made OV-10 Broncos and an AT-27 armed trainer).<ref>[http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_161.shtml Venezuelan Coup Attempt, 1992]</ref>

The nation of [[Venezuela]] had acquired F-16s for air defense starting in 1983 and, for a long time, was the only South American user.  When a Venezuelan Air Force general attempted a coup in November 1992 (the second in Venezuela that year), two F-16 pilots stayed loyal to the government.  They played a key role in quashing the rebellion, effectively countering the insurgents’ air power and shooting down three aircraft (two American-made OV-10 Broncos and an AT-27 armed trainer).<ref>[http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_161.shtml Venezuelan Coup Attempt, 1992]</ref>

Venezuela is one of two nations that ordered their F-16's equipped with drag chutes in the tail cone above the engine afterburner can.  The drag chute is used to slow the aircraft on landing and was needed for the high altitude runways in the country.

Venezuela is one of two nations that ordered their F-16's equipped with drag chutes in the tail cone above the engine afterburner can.  The drag chute is used to slow the aircraft on landing and was needed for the high altitude runways in the country.

American F-16s have taken part in operations in [[Afghanistan]] as part of [[Operation Enduring Freedom]], as have F-16s from [[Denmark]], [[Norway]], and the [[Netherlands]].<ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/oef_orbat_021202.htm Operation Enduring Freedom Order of Battle at GlobalSecurity.org]</ref>

American F-16s have taken part in operations in [[Afghanistan]] as part of [[Operation Enduring Freedom]], as have F-16s from [[Denmark]], [[Norway]], and the [[Netherlands]].<ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/oef_orbat_021202.htm Operation Enduring Freedom Order of Battle at GlobalSecurity.org]</ref>

In April of 2002, in what has become known as the Tarnak Farm incident, a U.S. Air National Guard F-16 dropped a laser-guided bomb after the pilot saw what he believed to be anti-aircraft fire.  The target turned out to be a [[Canada|Canadian]] infantry unit on an exercise.  Four Canadian soldiers were killed and eight wounded.  The pilot was later found guilty of dereliction of duty and reprimanded.<ref>[http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/friendlyfire/ Friendly Fire Case: the Legal Saga]</ref>

In April 2002, in what has become known as the Tarnak Farm incident, a U.S. Air National Guard F-16 dropped a laser-guided bomb after the pilot saw what he believed to be anti-aircraft fire.  The target turned out to be a [[Canada|Canadian]] infantry unit on an exercise.  Four Canadian soldiers were killed and eight wounded.  The pilot was later found guilty of dereliction of duty and reprimanded.<ref>[http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/friendlyfire/ Friendly Fire Case: the Legal Saga]</ref>

===Iraq War===

===Iraq War===