General Dynamics (Fokker) F-16AM Fighting Falcon (J-642) from the Royal Netherlands Air Force
at the Royal Netherlands Air Force Open Days 2019, Volkel (the Netherlands)
Special painted tail to celebrate 40 years of the General Dynamics (Fokker) F-16 Fighting Falcon (1979 - 2019; 40 YEARS Fighting Falcon)
Exactly forty years ago, on 7 June 1979, Wim Sneek flew the very first Dutch F-16B (J-259, msn 6E-1) from Fokker at Schiphol to Leeuwarden Air Base (both in The Netherlands). To mark the occasion the Royal Netherlands Air Force adorned F-16AM J-642 (msn 6D-74) with special tail colours.
Each year the Netherlands armed forces services organises open days on a rotational basis. Open days are intended to show how the Netherlands Defence organisation works for peace and security throughout the world. On these days everyone is welcome to have a look behind the scenes.
The 2019 Royal Netherlands Air Force Open Days took place at Volkel Air Base, home to 312 and 313 F-16 Fighting Falcon squadrons.