Length: 8.25 inches
Width: 5.25 inches
The F-16 Fighting Falcon was produced by General Dynamics who became Lockheed who then
merged with Martin Marietta to become Lockheed Martin. The F-16 entered service in January
1979 as a multi-role jet fighter that evolved into an all-weather multi-role aircraft capable of
sustaining 9-g turns. The F-16 is relatively inexpensive to purchase and maintain so the U.S. and
25 other countries added it to their inventory. The Fighting Falcon is referred to by its pilots as
the “Viper” and will remain in USAF service until 2025.
During a “Red Flag Alaska” training exercise F-16C #86-0269 had a mid-air collision with F-15C
#83-0017. The F-15 crashed but the F-16 managed to safely land at Eielson AFB, Alaska. F-16
#86-0269 belongs to the 64th Aggressor Squadron based at Nellis AFB, Las Vegas, Nevada.
This unit is dedicated to improving pilot combat performance. #86-0269 wore a Bort number “red
69” and was the first F-16 to receive the new blue “Mig blizzard” aggressor scheme that started
to be used in late 2011 and early 2012.