F-16 Reference

332nd skvadron ( RNoAF)

" Eagle"  

F-16 Units main menu | Royal Norwegian Air Force units overview
332 skv " Eagle" ( RNoAF)
Status:
Converted
Version: F-16A/B block 20 MLU
Role: Multirole, Training
Tailband: N/A
Motto: Samhold I Strid (Together in battle)
Badge: A demi-Norwegian axe on a blue background.
Converted to the F-35A on July 31st, 2016.

Sideways profile for 332 skv in 2008.

F-16 History

332 skv was the first Norwegian unit to receive the F-16 fighter in 1980. The squadron was activated specifically for training F-16 pilots after having been disbanded since 1973, operating the F-5A fighter up until then. Norwegian F-16s were manufactured together with their Dutch counterparts at the Fokker factory situated at Schiphol-East. Although the squadron was the first one to receive the brand new jet, it was only the third to become fully operational on the type.

The first task of the squadron was to train all future F-16 pilots so they could be used to equip both 331 and 334 skv. This training program lasted until both squadrons were operational at Bodø AB. The training program then shifted over to Rygge AB itself to train all 332 skv pilots. Afterwards it was shifted over to Ørland AB to train the pilots of 338 skv over there.


RNoAF F-16A block 5 #276 from 332 skv is parked on the tarmac at Aalborg AB on August 26th, 1993. [Airliners.net photo by Joop de Groot]

After 20 years of service with the F-16, a major change happened with the introduction of the Mid-Life Update version of the venerable Falcon in 2001. This resulted in a drastic change in operational use of the aircraft. After the conversion to the MLU platform was concluded, the squadron was transferred from Rygge AB as part of 134 Luftving to Bodø AB as part of 132 Luftving. This change was necessary as with the introduction of the MLU the Norwegian government decided that only 57 airframes would receive the update, hence not enough to equip 4 squadrons at full strength. Therefore 334 skv was disbanded at Bodø AB and 332 skv took its place.

Since the introduction of the MLU, 332 skv still retained its training task as it had done since the introduction of the F-16 back in 1980.

In 2006 the Norwegian military decided that it would be easier to pool all F-16s into one unit, being the Forsvarets Logistikk Organisasjon (FLO) or Air Force Logistic Organisation. This unit controls all F-16 assets and disperses them amongst all F-16 squadrons to have them work more efficiently. F-16s are assigned to squadrons according to their actual needs.

Last flight with the F-16 occured on July 31st, 2016. The squadron is then transitioning to the new F-35A fighter. The first of these aircraft will be entering service in the course of 2017.


RNoAF F-16AM #277 from 332 skv is taking off from Kabul AB for a mission over Afghanistan. [Photo by Joost de Raaf]

Aircraft Markings History

1980 - 2006

The tail marking consisted from the typical Norwegian forward facing triangle with two colors, being back and yellow.

2006 - 2016

The triangle remained, but now features the colors of the FLO, being red and blue.


Unit History

  • 1942: Activation of the squadron in Catterick (UK)
  • 1942: 'Spitfire' Mk. VB (RAF North Weald)
  • 1942: 'Spitfire' Mk. IXB
  • 1943: 'Spitfire' Mk. IXB (part of 132 Wing (RAF))
  • 1945: 'Spitfire' Mk. IXE (RAF Dyce)
  • 1945: 'Spitfire' Mk. IXE (Gardermoen)
  • 1952: Deactivated for one year
  • 1953: F-84G 'Thunderjet' (Sola)
  • 1955: F-84G 'Thunderjet' (Rygge AB)
  • 1957: F-86F 'Sabre'
  • 1966: F-5A 'Freedom Fighter'
  • 1973: Disbanded
  • 1980: Activation of the squadron in Rygge
  • 1980: F-16A 'Fighting Falcon'
  • 2001: F-16AM 'Fighting Falcon'
  • 2002: F-16AM 'Fighting Falcon' (part of 132 Luftving, Bodø)
  • 2016: Converted

Deployments

' Allied Force'
Grazzanise AB, Italy (March 23rd, 1999 to June 10th, 1999)
Operation 'Allied Force' was the codename for the almost three month long air strikes against Serbia. It was the first time after WWII that Norway deployed fighters into operation. The aircraft were tasked with CAP mission since they didn’t send their new MLU aircraft.
' Enduring Freedom'
Manas AB, Kyrgyzstan (October 1st, 2002 to March 31st, 2003)
Operation 'Enduring Freedom' was initiated after the 9/11 attacks on the US. In Afghanistan this operation is aimed at fighting the remains of the Taliban which are still present in-country.
' Air Policing Baltic States'
Siauliai AB, Lithuania (January 1st, 2005 to March 29th, 2005)
This operation started when Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia joined NATO. These countries don't have fighters themselves and rely upon NATO for there air coverage. In a three-month rotation, Belgian, Danish, Norwegian and Dutch F-16s will patrol the skies over the Baltic States.
' International Security and Assistance Force'
Kabul AB, Afghanistan (February 1st, 2006 to May 12th, 2006)
The ISAF force is a NATO led operation to bring stability in Afghanistan and support of the local authorities. Also to protect ISAF ground forces.
' Air Policing Baltic States'
Siauliai AB, Lithuania (December 16th, 2007 to March 14th, 2008)
This is the second deployment of the Norwegian Air Force to the three Baltic states (Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia). This time a four-month rotation will see the Norwegian F-16s patrol the skies over the Baltic States.
' Iceland Air Policing and Surveillance'
Keflavik AB, Iceland (2009)
This marked the first deployment of Norwegian F-16s to Iceland for the patrolling mission.
' Odyssey Dawn / Unified Protector'
Souda AB, Greece (March 23rd, 2011 to July of 2011)
Norway sent 6 F-16s into theatre to help NATO with their mission over Libya. The Norwegians didn't stay untill the end of the campaign, but retracted their aircraft early during the summer months when less capacity was needed to end the conflict.
' Iceland Air Policing and Surveillance'
Keflavik AB, Iceland (2011)
Right after the Libyan campaign the squadron was tasked with another trip to the chilly island of Iceland.
' Iceland Air Policing and Surveillance'
Keflavik AB, Iceland (January 27th, 2014 to February 21st, 2014)
With the third deployment the Norwegians are the main contributor to this NATO mission. Although the squadrons participating remain on alert for 4 months, the actual deployment only lasts between 3 and 4 weeks.

F-16 Airframe Inventory

Photos

Special Thanks

Niels C. Boman

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