End of F-16 operations with the Italian AirForce

FALCON16 · by **FALCON16** » 28 May 2012, 09:58

Last week the Italian A.F. phased out the leased F-16's (ADF version).
Normally the remaining F-16's will transfer back to the USA today (28/05/2012)
37°Stormo / 18°Gruppo (based at Trapani) was the last unit to say goodbay to the "Viper".

Latest noted / seen serials:
MM7236
MM7240 special 18°Gr colors
MM7242 37°St markings
MM7244 37°St markings
MM7251
MM7253 37°St / 18°Gr markings
MM7268 37°St markings

FALCON16 · by **FALCON16** » 28 May 2012, 10:51

The ceremony was held on 23/05/2012

link to the AMI website:
http://www.aeronautica.difesa.it/News/Pagine/phaseoutTrapani.aspx

Asif · by **Asif** » 28 May 2012, 11:30

I've got an article prepped to publish. But need some hi-rez photos from the ceremony. Anyone point me to links

FALCON16 · by **FALCON16** » 28 May 2012, 19:35

Hi Asif,

Sorry NO pics available from this years ceremony.
(my last visit to Trapani is dated Jun'10, see pics on F-16.net)

FYI
8 F-16's departed already on 07 May'12 to the USA (via Lajes) together
with some C-130's as support, serials .....?

Bjorn · by **Bjorn** » 28 May 2012, 21:30

Probably only 6 made the trip over and 2 were spares since only 6 F-16s were registered entering AMARG on May 11th, 2012. These were: 81-0699[/serial], [serial]81-0729[/serial], [serial]81-0772[/serial], [serial]82-0913[/serial], [serial]82-0984[/serial], [serial]82-1005.

Greets,

FALCON16 · by **FALCON16** » 05 Jun 2012, 19:57

Hi Bjorn,

Serial 810729 should be 810728 / MM7257.

The 2 spares serials: MM7239 and MM7251

?? Any news / feedback from MM7269 (stored in Trapani or returned to the USA)

FYI
MM7245 departed Trapani end July'10 to Lajes but ten returned to Aviano.

tbarlow · by **tbarlow** » 07 Jun 2012, 03:37

Sad to see jets I worked on 30 years ago heading back to the boneyard.
Anyone have any idea how many hours these jets ended up with? Also
since they have all the updates, any ideas if they might become "Q's"
or be a good candiate to be sold to another country?

Robyjet56 · by **Robyjet56** » 08 Jun 2012, 13:48

It's a shame that no one of this beautiful aircraft was left in Italy to be exhibited at Air Force Museum of Vigna di Valle near Roma, beside the now hystorical F-104 and Tornado. The Viper has been a milestone in italian Air Force, just as the other two aircrafts.

splitsplit · by **splitsplit** » 08 Jun 2012, 21:09

Anyone have some SA on where these jets are headed and what they'll be used for?

FALCON16 · by **FALCON16** » 12 Jun 2012, 19:35

The last 6 Italian F-16's departed Trapani AB on 28 May'12 to Lajes.
Due to bad wx, they left Lajes on 01 Jun'12 to the USA (AMARG).
Following serials were noted: MM7239, MM7240 .....

Bjorn · by **Bjorn** » 28 Jul 2012, 17:46

These were checked in at AMARG on June 1st, 2012. Following airframes: MM7236, MM7239, MM7253, MM7242, MM7244 and MM7268.

This leaves the fate of the following airframes still unknown at this moment:

Instructional airframes: 79-0389, 80-0474, 80-0492, 80-0515 (sources state they would return to the US as well).

Other airframes: MM7240, MM7251, MM7269.

Greets,

FALCON16 · by **FALCON16** » 29 Jul 2012, 10:42

Bjorn,
MM7240 (in spec c/s) & MM7251 departed Trapani on 28May'12 and landed at Lajes (same day), as mentioned before, departure to the USA was delayed due to wx.
Should be also in the USA ...

The only F-16 left in Trapani is MM7269 (stored in non flyable condition).
Further MM7258 is also stored (damaged & in non flyable condition)

I have no info about the i/a frames in Trapani & Birgi.

Bjorn · by **Bjorn** » 29 Jul 2012, 11:09

I know they left. But they weren't checked in at AMARG. So don't know where they're at.

Greets,

Asif · by **Asif** » 04 Aug 2012, 19:04

Latest AFM has this:

MM7240 to become gate guardian at Trapani
MM7253 will go to Museo di Vigna dil Valle

Bjorn · by **Bjorn** » 04 Aug 2012, 20:11

That would be strange, certainly the last one. First they fly it over to AMARG and then they would transport (or fly) it back to Italy to become a museum exhibit??

Greets,