RJAF F-16AM
#682 from 1 sqn flies over Mwaffaq Salti AB on October 22nd, 2009 during the 2009 Eager Tiger 10 Falcon Air Meet (FAM). Note the older gun mouth, although the airframe was updated to MLU standards.
In 2000 a new agreement between the US and Jordan was signed for the delivery of a second batch of F-16s under the Peace Falcon II program. These airframes were withdrawn from use from their ANG units in the US prior to delivery. Just as the first order, these airframes were of the ADF version, compromising 16 A-models and 1 B-model. Although these airframes were in flyable condition and set to equip 6 squadron, Jordan opted to store them in anticipation of being upgraded to MLU standards. In 2004 Jordan signed a deal with Turkish TUSAS to upgrade these jets. The first of these modernised jets were delivered back to the RJAF in 2007.
At first, these aircraft were assigned to 1 squadron. The jets were pooled with the other MLU jets received from Belgium and the Netherlands a little later. Since the number of F-16s within 1 squadron is to rise to over 40, a new squadron was chosen to receive a part of these F-16s. In a move to rationalise its fighter fleet, the F-5s of Jordan were grouped together. The squadron would loose it’s aircraft, but is set to receive the 'new' F-16s in the course of 2010. With this move it will also move to Azraq AB.
