F-16 Fighting Falcon era 50th Space Wing

10th tfs f-16c block 25f – 84-1393



313th tfs f-16c block 25a – 83-1130



496th tfs f-16c block 25e – 84-1315

in late 1978 usafe announced 50th tactical fighter wing test , field of new f-16a fighting falcon. arrangements tests began arrival of first of 4 teams in november 1978 , continued 1979. tests began 20 april 1979, 4 f-16a block 1 aircraft @ hahn air base, germany.

meanwhile, prompted news of selection receive air force s newest fighter, 50th tfw began construction of new hardened aircraft shelters, additional hangars, maintenance shops , support buildings. in addition contracts issued construction of 300 additional housing units in communities near hahn ab.

aircrews focused on training under new graduated combat capability program provided specific training events , competency levels each category of crewmember. maintenance personnel concentrated on learning f-16 specific requirements , adapted production oriented maintenance organization meet needs of new jets , mission. 313th tfs accepted first of wing s new f-16s on 30 december 1981, after vigorous acceptance inspection—a practice continues today. within 6 months, last of 50th tfw s f-4e phantom iis departed hahn ab, after 16 years , more 176,000 flight hours. gala marked addition of fighting falcon north atlantic treaty organization s arsenal on 9 july 1982. ceremony included displays of aircraft norway, netherlands, belgium, denmark , other countries in nato alliance, of programmed receive f-16.

for next several months, 50th tfw crews deployed zaragoza air base, spain, conduct air-to-air , air-to-ground training. training included events designed improve bombing accuracy , increase air , ground crew performance. before 1983 thanksgiving holiday, wing add yet line list of accomplishments. opportunity arrived in october, when 50th tfw crews took f-16s air force s annual worldwide bombing , gunnery competition—gunsmoke—where won overall competition. additionally, 1 of wing s pilots earned individual top gun award. personnel continued demonstrate excellence when 1 of wing s weapons load crews earned first place distinction in usafe , third place overall in air force-wide competition @ end of 1983.

operational activity march 1984 reached fever pitch wing participated in several exercises , competitions , prepared brief deployment. wing joined green flag exercises held @ nellis air force base, nevada, in march. green flag sought provide realistic combat training heavy emphasis on electronic warfare such anti-aircraft defenses threat radars.

at hahn ab, other wing personnel participated in nato exercise. during exercise, 2 496th tfs f-16s conducted first emergency procedures landings on autobahn. aircrews landed, refueled dispatched trucks , launched highway near german air base @ ahlhorn. wing prepared large-scale deployment several air bases due programmed runway repairs @ hahn ab. aircraft , crews, maintenance specialists , support personnel deployed ramstein , spangdahlem ab , west germany s pferdsfel ab april june 1984.

the 50th tactical fighter wing s growing list of accomplishments , recognition continued 1985 when wing received notice of selection air force outstanding unit award period 1 july 1982 through 30 june 1984. fifth such award 50th. 50th tfw s operational tempo did not slow, nor did wing s receipt of accolades , recognition headquarters. wing replaced f-16a , f-16b fighting falcons advanced second-generation f-16c , f-16d in 1986.

hq usafe announced on 15 april 1986, 313th tactical fighter squadron had earned usafe commander in chief s trophy 1985. operations , maintenance teams within 50th tfw received numerous awards @ major command level , higher throughout 1986 , 1987, including secretary of defense s phoenix award recognizing best maintenance organization in department of defense.