The F-16 Jets are being retired from Leeuwarden, to spend time with their families
Translated by Thomas Ansell
Leeuwarden Airbase has, for the last few decades, hosted several squadrons of F-16 fighter jets. Now, though, the multimillion euro weapons of war are being retired from Friesland. What better way to celebrate, then, by flying them over the Elfstedentocht route: so that everyone in Friesland’s famous Eleven Cities can experience what its like to be under attack by the Dutch airforce.
As reported by the Omrop Fryslân, the planes took the hour long jaunt between 11:15 and 12:15 this morning. Four planes took to the sky, whilst the air base has asked people to put their fond memories of the F-16’s on social media.
Dutch airforce F-16’s have operated over Afghanistan, Iraq, and Kosovo since being delivered in 1979; so one can only imagine people’s memories of them.
Leeuwarden’s F-16’s are being flown to Volker Air Base, and will be replaced by the new F-35; which costs 80 million, and can drop over 1,100 kg of bombs (held internally), along with another 8,000 kg of bombs held under the wings.
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