this was the first F-16 that I was the crew chief on. It was a great flyer but pilots did not like to fly it as it did not have a VTR. Instead it had an ASIP Flight Data recorder where the VTR was located.
This was the first assigned F-16 to the 58th TTW. I was lucky enough to go to Hill AFB, UT for the acceptance. I flew in the back seat with the Wing Commander, Col. Malcolm F. Bolton on Dec 6, 1982. It was the best F-16 I ever crewed.
Never dare your squadron maintenance officer. I came from Luke to Torrejon AB, SP. A few days after being in the 614th AMU, I told the Capt. Lourdes Covas, I could make the worst aircraft we had the best. So she assigned me to 902. It had a history of the worst radar system in the squadron. I worked with the AA folks and we turned the jet around.
Reassigned to MacDill it was awesome to step out of my new squadron and the first aircraft I saw was 537. We kept it until we did the first of three transfers.
SMSgt. Brian "Seadog" Seabury (Ret.)