F-16 Fighting Falcon News

April 19, 2007 (by Jon Somerville) - The 124th Fighter Squadron under the 132nd Fighter Wing has new tail markings to usher in a change in the F-16 which they operate. On March 30, 2007 the 124th Fighter Squadron gave up its last F-16 block 42 for the older model of the F-16, a block 30.
With the last block 42 departed Iowa, F-16D #89-2179, the 124th Fighter Squadron sent F-16C block 30 #86-0333 to the paint barn emerging on April 15, 2007 with brand new markings.

When Iowa ANG's 124th Fighter Squadron first received their F-16s back in 1993, the markings carried were simply the state flag with the name Iowa overlapped. Shortly after a large snake head replaced the state flag and this remained up till now. The new markings are actually closer to what was worn on their aircraft in the squadrons early days, when the F-51 and F-84 were flown. The bird is a stylized cartoon Cardinal first designed for local Iowa State University. Over the coming months the remaining F-16s will be painted with these new markings.