First RNLAF F-16: J-259

[Photo: Courtesy RNLAF]
The first Royal Netherlands Air Force F-16 J-259 just
prior to touch down after its maiden flight on May 3rd, 1979.
Note the black radome of the original Block-1 aircraft.

History

The F-16 with serial number 78-0259 (tail number J-259) was the first F-16 handed over to the Royal Netherlands Air Force in 1979. On June 7, 1979 it arrived at Leeuwarden Air Base, flown by Major Sneek, later to become commander of Leeuwarden Air Base as a Colonel. The Block-1 F-16s were initially equipped with black radomes, which were later replaced by gray radomes from production Block-5 and on.

[Photo: Courtesy JB © JB 1979]
Arrival of the J-259 at Leeuwarden on June 7, 1979.
(Note the black radome and the small horizontal stabilizers.)

[Photo: Courtesy JB © JB 1979]
J-259 on display near Hangar 3 on June 7, 1979.

Operational use

This two seat F-16B was operational up to 1998, though with the start of UN Operation Deny Flight (April 12, 1993 - December 20, 1995), NATO Operation Decisive Endeavor (From December 20, 1995 - 20 December 1996) and NATO Operation Joint Guard (commenced on December 21, 1996) it was assigned to other units than the Leeuwarden based 323 squadron.

End of service life

The aircraft did not go through the Falcon Up program nor was it submitted to the Mid-Life Update program.

On June 29, 1999, the final flight was made from Volkel Air Base to Woensdrecht Air Base, where the aircraft was planned to be used for technical training. In 1998, the aircraft had accumulated over 2,500 flight hours.