F-16 Fighting Falcon News

August 6, 2000 (by Lieven Dewitte) - Six F-16s and 84 airmen from the New Mexico ANG at Kirtland the "Tacos" will wing it to the Republic of Chile later this month to train with the Chilean air force.
But an arms-control watchdog says the trip fits the mold of government-sponsored "sales missions" that try to persuade foreign governments to buy American in this case, F-16s manufactured by Lockheed Martin. While pilots may not be making sales pitches to Chilean commanders, the fighters' very presence and the pilots' expected praise serves as an advertisement, they said.

Air Force and Lockheed officials denied any direct link between the Tacos' deployment and Lockheed's bid to supply Chile with new fighters.

Capt. Kim Lalley, public affairs officer for the 150th Fighter Wing the formal designation of the Tacos said the planes and troops will go to Los Condores Air Base, near Iquique in northern Chile. From Aug. 18 through Sept. 2, they will fly with the pilots of the Fuerza Aerea de Chile, or FACh. Their overall objective is to develop a relationship between the Air Force and the FACH. This marks the Tacos' first trip to South America. The unit now has sent personnel to every continent except Antarctica.

A spokeswoman for LMTAS, acknowledged the Tacos' presence in Chile does help their efforts to sell planes but she also added that they don't have any say in Air Force deployments.

The competition includes the Lockheed F-16, the French Dassault Mirage 2000-series fighter and the Swedish Saab Grippen.

Chile is looking to buy as many as 80 new fighters over the next 15 years.