The AirPower 24 show at Zeltweg, Austria was attended by two F-16s of the Turkish Air Force. Time for another Viper air-to-air report, featuring these aircraft.
Text and photos: Emiel Sloot
NATO Tiger member
Both aircraft depicted are assigned to the 192nd Filo, based at Balıkesir air base in the northwestern part of the country. Formed out of the Balıkesir-based 102nd Fighter Bomber Squadron, the 192nd Filo was established in 1952 while taking over the tiger emblem from the previous squadron. Their straight-wing Republic F-84G Thunderjets were later replaced by F-84F Thunderstreaks. In 1970, Northrop F-5A and RF-5A Freedom Fighters entered service with the unit, expanding their mission with aerial reconnaissance. Another role change was adopted in September 1976 with the arrival of the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, as air defence would now be the squadron’s main task. Both the F-104G model and the Italian-built F-104S were used by the squadron.
From 1980, 192nd Filo has been a member of the NATO Tiger Organisation. In 1993, the Starfighters were retired to make place for the General Dynamics F-16C/D Fighting Falcon, locally assembled by TUSAŞ. With the new aircraft, the squadron adopted a multi-role task. Over time, it would become a full NATO Tiger member, and in 2005 and 2015 it hosted the annual NATO Tiger Meet.
The failed Turkish coup attempt on 15 July 2016 had a devastating effect on the military organisation, with a large amount of military service members discharged and/or arrested throughout all ranks. Several units were disbanded, directly or indirectly linked to the coup attempt. One of the victims was the squadron’s sister unit 191st Filo, and although this squadron was later re-established, the air force still suffers from a shortage of staff including pilots. Although 192nd Filo is still up and running officially, it seems most aircraft and crew of the 192 Filo are currently detached to 191st Filo.
Nevertheless, the two aircraft that showed up for the AirPower 24 airshow feature 192nd Filo markings. A year earlier, F-16C 93-0685 received a striking colour scheme for the NATO Tiger Meet 2023 that was held at Gioia del Colle air base in Italy. For this year’s meet at Schleswig-Jagel, Germany the aircraft kept its coat although some markings were subtly changed to refer to 2024.
The other aircraft flown to Austria for the airshow was F-16D 93-0691. This dual-seat Viper displays the regular squadron markings. Both aircraft are part of the Peace Onyx II contract that covered the first brand-new Block 50 variants. More background information on Turkish F-16s can be found further below.
Turkish F-16 history
TThe Türk Hava Kuvvetleri or Turkish Air Force started operating the F-16 following the arrival of the first aircraft under the Peace Onyx I contract. While the first eight aircraft were built in the United States, all other examples under this and future contracts would be assembled locally by TUSAŞ (Türk Havacılık ve Uzay Sanayii AŞ), also known as Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI). Peace Onyx I included 132 F-16C and 24 F-16D Block 30 and 40, and were delivered from October 1987.
Peace Onyx II covered the acquisition of 68 F-16C and 12 F-16D Block 50 aircraft, delivered in 1996 and 1997. Under Peace Onyx III, another 26 F-16C and 14 F-16D Block 50s arrived. The last order, known as Peace Onyx IV, brought an additional 14 F-16C and 16 F-16D Block 50s. These were mainly meant to bridge the gap until the first Lockheed F-35A Lightning IIs would arrive. However, these 5th generation fighter aircraft would never be delivered.
The F-16s of the Türk Hava Kuvvetleri equip a large number of squadrons throughout the country including 113th; 132nd; 151st & 152nd; 161st & 162nd; 181st & 182nd; 191st, 192nd & 193rd; and 401st Filo, the latter being a test and evaluation unit. The 141st, 142nd & 143rd Filo at Akıncı air base near Ankara were disbanded as a result of their involvement in the failed 2016 coup attempt, and the 153rd Filo was deactivated in 2018. ■
