F-16 Reference

141 Filo ( TUAF)

" Kurt (Wolf)"  

F-16 Units main menu | Turkish Air Force units overview
141 Filo " Kurt (Wolf)" ( TuAF)
Status:
Disbanded
Version: F-16C/D block 50
Role: Multirole, Air Defense, Strike
Tailband: N/A
Motto: N/A
Badge: A stylised wing with an F-16 in the middle.
Disbanded on July 15th, 2016.

Sideways profile for 141 Filo in 2007.

F-16 History

141 Filo was the first operational F-16 squadron in the Turkish air Force in 1989. The first order of the Turkish military was for 160 F-16s build under Peace Onyx I. These aircraft were to be build to block 30 standards. The first aircraft delivered to 141 Filo were of this block 30 version. After airframe no. 43, the production was shifted to the block 40 version. All delivered aircraft to 141 Filo were rotated with 142 Filo so the squadron could receive the newer block, with more advanced weapons at its disposal.

The F-16 replaced the F-104G Starfighter, as in most European NATO countries. The mission of the squadron thus was air defence as primary role, with a secondary attack role. This did not change with the introduction of the F-16. It was just replacing an obsolete aircraft with a newer one with more capabilities. Besides this task, they alos have a dedicated strike role. Nuclear weapons are stored at Incirlik AB and the squadron is relocated there in case of such an emergency.


TuAF F-16C block 40 #89-0030 from 141 Filo seen on final approach to Florennes AB on March 24th, 2004. [Photo by Elmer van Hest]

Since a number of years, all F-16s squadrons within the Turkish air force are multi-role. This means they can handle all missions, but are specialised in one. With the CCIP program – which will start in 2009 – the aircraft will get an upgrade which will prolong their service life and introduce a completely new block 50 cockpit and advanced electronics.

With the delivery of the brand-new block 50 airframes in 2011-2012, 141 Filo was the second unit to convert to these new airframes. The older block 40 airframes are dispersed throughout the other block 40 squadrons within the TuAF to get them back to full airframe capacity.

A coup d'état attempt was made on July 15th, 2016 and F-16s from the 141st Filo were reportedly ordered into the air at 22:00 by Akın Öztürk, a former F-16 pilot who became Commander the entire Turkish Air Force. Aircraft from pro-government forces took off from other bases which included F-16s and F-4E 2020s. The F-4E 2020s from 111th Filo were able to bomb the runway at Akinci AB so that the returning coup supporting aircraft could not land at their home base of Akıncı. No where to land, the coup supported F-16s were engaged by government friendly F-16's from Erzurum (back up base of Merzifon 5 MJB, since the runway of this MJB was in repairs), Dalaman and Konya all engaged and coup supporting F-16s were forced to land at other air bases.

Most of the personnel of Akinci's 4 MJB were either dismissed or arrested. Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım announced on July 29th, 2016 that Akıncı Air Base would be closed and thus all three based F-16 squadron's will have the assets moved and squadron's likely disbanded,

Aircraft Markings History

1989 - 2005

The tail consist of a standard grey tail with the Turkish flag in the center, the serial number at the bottom and a yellow tailband on top.

2005 - 2007

The main setup remained but the squadron's crest was added below the tailband, which became a yellow and black checkerboard as well.

2007 - 2016

The yellow and black checkerboard tailband was removed all together.


Unit History

  • 1937: Activation of the squadron in Kütahya
  • 1937: P.24A (as VII AT, part of 4TA)
  • 1939: 'Hurricane' Mk. I (as VIII TB, part of 4HA)
  • 1940: 'Hurricane' Mk. I (Çorlu)
  • 1941: P.24A (as VII TB)
  • 1942: P.24A (Merzifon)
  • 1943: 'Hurricane' Mk. IIC (as I TB, part of 4A)
  • 1947: 'Spitfire' Mk. IX
  • 1949: 'Spitfire' Mk. IX (part of 4AA)
  • 1951: 'Spitfire' Mk. IX (re-designated 141 Filo, part of 4HU)
  • 1954: 'Spitfire' Mk. IX (Eskisehir)
  • 1954: F-86E 'Sabre'
  • 1960: F-86E 'Sabre' (Mürted)
  • 1963: F-86E 'Sabre' (part of 4AJU)
  • 1964: F-104G 'Starfighter'
  • 1989: F-16C/D 'Fighting Falcon'
  • 1994: F-16C/D 'Fighting Falcon' (Akinci – renamed from Mürted)
  • 2016: Disbanded


F-16 Airframe Inventory

Photos

Special Thanks

Ole Nikolajsen

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