Final Flight: The Dutch F-16’s Farewell Flight At Volkel Air Base | Aviation

Focus on the final flight of the Dutch F-16 over the Netherlands.

As already reported here, on Sept. 27, 2024, the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) bid farewell to its iconic F-16 Fighting Falcon jet.  After 45 years of distinguished service, the last Dutch F-16s took to the skies for their final formation flight, a planned journey that would showcase the aircraft’s legacy across key military sites in the Netherlands. However, the unpredictable Dutch weather had other plans, dramatically shortening the farewell route.

A Shortened Farewell

The formation of six F-16s, including the specially adorned J-197, was meant to pass over several notable locations tied to the history of the Dutch F-16 fleet. These included former F-16 bases Eindhoven, Twente, and Leeuwarden, as well as current home base Volkel. Additionally, the formation was to overfly the Dutch Logistical Center Woensdrecht, the Ministry of Defense in The Hague, the former Soesterberg air base, and the Air Force headquarters in Breda.

Unfortunately, due to adverse weather conditions, the flight was significantly shortened. Only the middle and eastern regions of the Netherlands had the chance to witness this historic flight. Despite the altered route, the flight remains a poignant tribute to the aircraft that…