F-16 Fighting Falcon News

March 18, 2010 (by Lieven Dewitte) - The 35th Fighter Wing, Misawa Air Base, Japan, won the Colombian Trophy for military flight safety achievement. The wing had a most impressive year, flying more than 16,000 hours and 8,000 sorties with no Class A, B or C mishaps.
This is an accomplishment that has only happened three times in 24-years of F-16 Fighting Falcon operations.

Wing Airmen expertly handled more than 50 flight emergencies with no losses or damage and was the only F-16 wing in the Air Force without an aviation mishap.

Maj Gen Frederick Roggero, the Air Force chief of safety, said the Air Force has many safety achievements to be proud of in 2009 including the safest year ever in aviation safety.

The Colombian Trophy recognizes military flight safety achievements for fighter, attack, bomber and reconnaissance units below the numbered Air Force level whose primary mission is operational.