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F-16.net Editor Joined: Aug 23, 2003 Posts: 1716

Can anyone give me any info regarding deployment of RNLAF F-16's during the First Gulf War. Trying to find out if any units were deployed and based in Turkey at Diyarbakir.

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Asif,

No F-16 units of the RNLAF were operational in the first Gulf War. The Dutch government proposed to send one squadron of F-16's to Turkey to help defend the country. If it had gone through, they would have been based at Diyarbakir.

The Turkish government asked for help in that conflict, but in stead of the Dutch sending their proposed squadron of F-16's, it was opted by the Turkish government and also NATO that the Belgian Air Force had to send a squadron of Mirage V fighters.

Now off course this needs a little explanation. Why choose 20 year old Mirage V aircraft if you can have brand new F-16's.

First reason is the organisation of NATO at that time. To support NATO's northern and southern flanks during a conflict, there were two mobilising organisations, being called AMF (ACE Mobile Forces). The one was AMF North and the other AMF South. The Dutch F-16's and also F-5's were a part of the North group, while the Belgian F-16's and Mirage V's were a part of the South group. This meant that the Dutch aircraft would normally be deployed in Norway and the Belgian aircraft would be deployed in Turkey. To accomplish this task, yearly exercises were held by the two countries in their respective host countries.

This is the reason why the Turkish government and NATO chose for the Belgian aircraft. Their pilots new the Turkish terrain, while the Dutch weren't quite used to it. They were used of flying in Norwegian skies.

Secondly the Mirage V fighters were chosen instead of Belgian F-16's for just one reason. The F-16's weren't equipped with an ECM system at that time, while the Mirage V aircraft were. If the Belgian F-16's would have been equipped with an ECM system at that time, they would have been send over there.

Greets,

F-16.net Editor Joined: Aug 23, 2003 Posts: 1716

Thanks Bjorn,

Quote:

No F-16 units of the RNLAF were operational in the first Gulf War. The Dutch government proposed to send one squadron of F-16's to Turkey to help defend the country. If it had gone through, they would have been based at Diyarbakir.

My research on the web this afternoon seems to have come up with the same information. I only asked this question because I have a RNLAF deployment patch being sent to me with a Italian F-104 AMF ACE GUARD 1991. The sender tells me it was a Dutch F-16 deployment patch to Turkey for the first Gulf war.

The patch says NL Det. Turkye, Op 'Wild Turkey' Diyarbakir. It has a Turkey wearing a flak jacket & helmet with a white missle in each hand.

I'm begining to wonder if this patch is more likely to be a Dutch Patriot missle patch. So my next question is: Did the Dutch have the Patriot batteries during 91?

If anybody out there knows otherwise then feel free to comment! Wink

Asif,

Yes, the Dutch delivered a combined HAWK and PATRIOT detachment to Diyarbakir during the first Gulf War. This was to defend southern Turkey and more important to defend the airfield and city of Diyarbakir against possible Iraqi attacks.

The Italians send a number of F-104 fighters to complement the Belgian Mirage V's and also Germany send a few Alpha Jets at the time.

If I'm not wrong I think that the Dutch deployment in Diyarbakir was was send there under operation Wild Turkey.

Greets,

F-16.net

Forum: General

RNLAF F-16's units deployed during first Gulf War