Forum: F-16 Spotting & Photography

Unknown european F-16A MLU in Zokniai. Men in the front are doing taxyway repair

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To Hunterkiller, the unknown european F-16A MLU in Zokniai is an F-16 from the Dutch Air Force, from Leeuwarden Air Base. Also Zokniai is the area, it is called Siauliai Air Base. Only yesterday the officially renovated runway was opened making it one (if not) the longest runway in eastern europe, much funded by NATO and the EU. I live in Siauliai and visit the base regularly and have many pictures from F-16's at the base. I am unsure which pictures to post, not wishing to do wrong thing and this being my first post.

Sharkey wrote:

To Hunterkiller, the unknown european F-16A MLU in Zokniai is an F-16 from the Dutch Air Force, from Leeuwarden Air Base. Also Zokniai is the area, it is called Siauliai Air Base. Only yesterday the officially renovated runway was opened making it one (if not) the longest runway in eastern europe, much funded by NATO and the EU. I live in Siauliai and visit the base regularly and have many pictures from F-16's at the base. I am unsure which pictures to post, not wishing to do wrong thing and this being my first post.

Actually I stand corrected, its not a Dutch F-16 but a Danish one, the repairs are not the runway but the holding or parking area. There are now modern aircraft shelters donated by the British during their air policing detachment with Tornado F-3's. Made my post before thinking and checking, sorry, just an F-16 enthusiast's mistake.

This is one of the Danish F-16's with the old Soviet shelters in the background. The F-16 doesn't fit in those, makes you think what fighter did fit in there.

Just something to think about...I observed it when 23rd FS was on duty...and which we will not discuss here deeply.

Why QRA aircraft had to carry a HTS pod? Obviously not because of the higher drag, or because they forgot to remove it before...

Of course there's nothing the Belorussians or the Russian should worry about.

Lajes

Five Danish F-16's lined up on the flight line for Baltic Air Policing.

Currently the Spanish Air Force is finishing Baltic air policing with their Mirage F-1. On November 29th the Belgian Air Force (who were the first ones to carry out Baltic air policing) will take over with their F-16's for four months followed by France with Mirage 2000 I suppose and after that Romania. I was just wondering (finally getting to the question) what aircraft will Romania be sending, updated MiG 21's?

On another note, the Belgians should receive a nice welcome as they are the first returning NATO member and they did capture the hearts and minds of many Lithuanians. Many people in Lithuania are skeptical on the NATO mission here, noice levels, problems in town etc., foreigners throwing their money around like it is nothing, always finding something to complain about, however what (most) people seem to forget or maybe simply don't know is that all the NATO members doing their 3 or 4 months time here have to pay for it out of their own pocket, (maybe with a bit of support from NATO and the host nation). I wish them and all future detachments the best of luck and hope to see many other nations return or sign up.

Sharkey wrote:

To Hunterkiller, the unknown european F-16A MLU in Zokniai is an F-16 from the Dutch Air Force, from Leeuwarden Air Base. Also Zokniai is the area, it is called Siauliai Air Base. Only yesterday the officially renovated runway was opened making it one (if not) the longest runway in eastern europe, much funded by NATO and the EU. I live in Siauliai and visit the base regularly and have many pictures from F-16's at the base. I am unsure which pictures to post, not wishing to do wrong thing and this being my first post.

Hi Sharkey, and welcome.
Excellent photos and great information as well. If you are uncertain of posting some photos you can always show the moderators first for guidance. That is the best way since it keeps us all safe.
Thank you for taking the time to add to the history of the F-16! Applause

Fisk

Today, 01 December the Belgian Air Force has officially taken over the Baltic Air Policing mission over from Spain. The Belgian Air Force will be stationed at Siauliai Air base in Lithuania for four months with four F-16's and support personnel. The Spanish have done an excellent job and I wish the Belgians all the best as well.

See: http://www.f-16.net/news_article2075.html

For the next two months the 2nd Tactical Wing from Florennes will be in charge of the operations.
For the other 2 months the 10th Tactical Wing from Kleine Brogel will rule the skies over the Baltic states.

So I guess the Vipers of 350 sqn. will the first to dance, and the 1 sqn will propably take over after a month. A month later 349 will ride their horses through the Baltic skies and the 31st will take their jets up for a “Tiger patrol” to keep the reds out of the Baltic Blue.

But: as I said I’m just guessing, so don’t shoot me if I’m wrong.

Anyway, the guys will be a lot closer to Santa’s home than over here in gray rainy Belgium.

Sharkey,

when Polish AF provided their assets, they flew with Mig 27. So it won't be the first Soviet made a/c protecting us.
I had the same question about Romania, and came to conclusion that if the a/c is properly updated to "fit into the system" and the pilots are properly trained, why not? If I'm not mistaken, a year ago or more the US F-15 had an exercise flying against Mig 21 in India. The worry might be its structural strength, it's old.
It's better than nothing, anyway. Thanks to all the detachments providing safe skies over Baltics. We sure appreciate what they do.

Correction, they flew Mig 29

Lajes wrote:

Just something to think about...I observed it when 23rd FS was on duty...and which we will not discuss here deeply.

Why QRA aircraft had to carry a HTS pod? Obviously not because of the higher drag, or because they forgot to remove it before...

Of course there's nothing the Belorussians or the Russian should worry about.

Lajes

I just found this old thread. Your HTS Pod question it a easy one. From an operations standpoint the Pod can do many things. But from the maintenance side don't drop it if you don't have to. It only creates extra work and the chance you might break something in dropping it. The old saying about KISS applies here.

Purple

The unknown one is not a Dutch one, but a Danish one.
Dutch have the pacer tail, and Danish don't

Sharkey wrote:

To Hunterkiller, the unknown european F-16A MLU in Zokniai is an F-16 from the Dutch Air Force, from Leeuwarden Air Base. .

This can not be correct, as all Dutch Vipers have the parachute tail housing, while the one in the photo does not.
My guess is Danish AF, as their Vipers doesn`t have parachute housings on the A-models.

Forum: F-16 Spotting & Photography

F-16s during Air Policing Baltics