MOT&E 1979-1980

Bjorn · by **Bjorn** » 22 Apr 2010, 11:59

In the early days of the F-16, the first countries to buy it had an MOT&E (Multinational Operational Test and Evaluation) installed at Hill AFB. We know Belgium, the Netherlands and Israel sent some planes to it. But we wonder if Denmark and Norway also send some planes and which they were.

Besides that, we do have one picture of a Belgian F-16 - #FA-04, aka 78-0119 - inserted below of that time period. If anyone has a higher res picture of it, pleae let us know. If anyone has more info from that time period on this subject (and or some photographs of other participating aircraft), please don't hesiate to let us know.

Greets,

wpns462 · by **wpns462** » 23 Apr 2010, 12:03

Bjorn,
Sir, you are close, very close. MOT&E was assigned to the 57th FWW at Nellis (note the black and yellow checks on the tails). We were Det. 16. The maintenance personnel were assigned to the 388th Headquarters Support Squadron at Hill. We had ten aircraft assigned when I arrived in Jan 80. Our jets were 78-0022, 0023, 0024, 0025, 0026, 0027, 0038 and 0039 for the “A” models. The “B” models we had were 78-0099 and 78-0101. 78-0101 replaced 78-0089 that crashed on the end of the runway at Hill AFB. Israel was not a part of MOT&E. When we deployed in 1981 to Europe for six months, we flew with the other EPAF jets (78-0119 and couple of others).Prior to my arrival at Hill, MOT&E did have 78-0001 thru 78-0009, they were transferred over to the 16th TFTS when we picked up the block ten jets.

HTH

Cheers,

Dave

Bjorn · by **Bjorn** » 29 Jul 2012, 15:18

Reviving this thread once more. Hoping to get some more information about the MOT&E period.

Greets,

doing_dutch · by **doing_dutch** » 02 Jan 2018, 01:09

I served at Hill during the MOT&E period, though as a lowly "scum-sucking contractor slime". I had the pleasure of accompanying the test team to Norway and Denmark. While cleaning out the garage today, I found the memorial book that was published to commemorate that event. If there is interest, I am willing to scan some of the pages from that book into this forum.

doing_dutch · by **doing_dutch** » 02 Jan 2018, 01:17

For what it is worth, the deployment to Europe consisted of:

Leeuwarden, Netherlands (Jun 1980)
Skrydstrup, Denmark (Aug 1980)
Beauvechain, Belgium (Sep 1980)
Rygge, Norway (Nov 1980)

Bjorn · by **Bjorn** » 02 Jan 2018, 14:10

You're most welcome to share any info you might have. You can send the info to units@f-16.net as well.

Greets,

merle · by **merle** » 01 Nov 2019, 23:01

I found an F-16 MOT & E '78- '81 - (yearbook) at a library book sale in Phoenix, AZ for $1.00. I do not think the library knew what they had. The yearbook is in excellent condition. I will be having breakfast with a local Veteran's group on 23 November and our speaker will be a Mark Langford or Lankford, USAF Ret. He is an F-16 pilot and served at Luke Air Force Base west of Phoenix, AZ. I will see if I can get some help downloading some pages, pictures from the book and then you can let me know if it is something you would like to see more of. I saw the posts from a Bjorn Claes. All the best.

Bjorn · by **Bjorn** » 02 Nov 2019, 19:54

Yes, still very interested in those things.
You can send all info directly to me through bjorn@f-16.net.

Greets,