Forum: F-16 Spotting & Photography

Hello all,

There is a new "Boss Bird" in town - at least in the Des Moines based 124th FS / 132nd FW!!

87-0230 is the Viper in question and is a "Big Inlet" Block-30F.

She originally served the 614th TFS / 401st TFW at Torrejon AB, Spain and was deployed to Doha Intl. Apt., Qatar during Operation "Desert Shield / Storm" in 1990/91. During "Desert Storm" she flew 56 combat missions!!

After Torrejon AB and the 614th TFS, she served the 512th and 526th FSs in Ramstein and finally went to the 466th Fs / 419th FW at Hill AFB, UT.

During the years in the 466th FS 87-0230 also saw some combat deployments not only to Incirlik AB, Turkey for Operation "Provide Comfort" in 1994/95 and Aviano AB, Italy for Operation "Deny Flight / Proven Force" in 1995, but also Operation "Iraqi Freedom" at Balad AB, Iraq in 2005.

She went to the 124th FS in Iowa in Apr. 2007 as the 466th FS lost its planes due to the current BRAC.

The future of 87-0230 in the IA ANG is, however, uncertain as the 132nd FW is expected to convert once more during late 2009/early 2010......this time to the A/OA-10 "Warthog"!!!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/clearskyph ... 7/sizes/m/

Greetings,

Henrik.

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Thanks for your update, Henrik! But the link http://www.flickr.com/photos/clearskyph ... 7/sizes/m/ does not work. I only get the message: This page is private. Oops! You don't have permission to view this page. Rolling Eyes

The 132nd is not converting to the A-10 as far as I know. Curious as to where that gouge came from...possibly wishful thinking by the unit as they try to come up with a follow-on mission when their F-16s start going away?

I was also wondering where the A-10 comment came from. I know quite a few people from the 132nd, and no one has ever even mentioned the A-10.

From another thread where I asked about the 122FW 163FS, the faint possibillity of conversion in 2010 of this unit (122FW) to the A-10 appered - could it be a mix up with this rumour?

Quite funny that the A-10 seems to live for another 20+ years Wink

Proves that everything do not have to be high-tech to win the day

Portland wrote:

Curious as to where that gouge came from...possibly wishful thinking by the unit as they try to come up with a follow-on mission when their F-16s start going away?

I hope You are right guys!! It seems strange to convert to another Viper model and only a couple of years after convert again to yet another completely different aircraft!!

J.J. - old buddy - sorry for the "dead" link. I will try to get a proper upload!!

Niels, the 122nd FW are getting the "Small Inlet" Block-30s - there should not be any mix ups with the units Very Happy

.

Greetings,

Henrik.

Hello all,

Here she is.

Photo by Kris Klop / www.clearskyphotography.com

Greetings,

Henrik.

Sweet!

Thanks Henrik, looks like I need to make it back out there, we need decals.

Jeff

If you intend to take photos for possible future decals, don`t forget about the line birds, OK? Cheers

jefropas wrote:

Thanks Henrik, looks like I need to make it back out there, we need decals.

Jeff

We need those decals BIG TIME; Jeff!!

Remember that the 124th FS deployed the following Block-30 Vipers to Balad earlier this year in regard to line-jets as Niels mentions;

86-0294
86-0349
86-0366
88-0407

Greetings,

Henrik.

Check Kris Klop´s album "132nd Fighter Wing F-16's (KDSM)": http://www.flickr.com/photos/clearskyph ... 377458621/ Wink

Hi, Henrik - old buddy! Over the weekend I checked some public sources to update my own A-10 archives. But sorry: There´s no info that the 132nd FW will convert to A-10s. I will not check again your entire great topic <a href="http://www.f-16.net/f-16_forum_viewtopic-t-6706.html">Post-BRAC 2005 F-16 line-up</a>. Please simply tell me: Is the following info still up to date?: "The 132nd Fighter Wing located in Des Moines has been recommended to replace their existing F-16C Block 42 model aircraft with F-16C Block 30 aircraft, and add additional aircraft. Approximately 45 additional full-time positions will be created in Des Moines."

Source: http://www.iowanationalguard.com/Public ... sures.html

I just need a few more jets, including this one, to get the refs out to the main decal dudes. I kinda took it upon myself when they changed over. The Balad jets are just after the new boss bird on my list. I also heard from Jake Melampy about the 132nd changing to A-10's too, I guess I'll ask when I go.

Jeff

jefropas wrote:

[...] I also heard from Jake Melampy about the 132nd changing to A-10's too, I guess I'll ask when I go.

Jeff

Thanks, Jeff! If correct, could that be related to the A-10s of the 111th FW (Pennsylvania ANG), Willow Grove ARS?

Forum: F-16 Spotting & Photography

Des Moines new "Boss Bird"