192 Filo (TUAF)

192 Filo converted to the F-16 in 1992. It was the second Turkish squadron to fly with the block 50 version of the Fighting Falcon. Previous orders had compromised both block 30 and block 40 airframes. With the Peace Onyx II and III orders, the newer block 50’s were ordered.

Although the squadron is equipped with the advanced block 50 version of the F-16, the squadron did not incorporate the SEAD mission as in the other block 50 squadrons, but kept it’s main air defence mission. This was mainly because the Turkish Air Force lacked serious air defence assets of other fighters at the time the F-16 was put in service, so it was obliged to have some F-16 squadrons being used solely for air defence missions. Besides this task, they have a dedicated strike role. Nuclear weapons were previously located on base, but since 1996 the vaults have been placed in caretaker status and weapons were moved to Incirlik AB.

TUAF F-16C block 50 #93-0689 from 192 Filo attending the 2003 Tigermeet at Cambrai AB on June 8th, 2003. [Tailslides photo by Peter]

Since a number of years, all F-16s squadrons within the Turkish Air Force are multi-role. This means they can handle all missions, but are specialised in one. With the CCIP program – which will start in 2009 – the aircraft will get an upgrade which will prolong their service life and introduce a completely new cockpit and advanced electronics. This upgrade will enhance the aircraft even further to carry new kind of weapons and introduce new technologies which were not available at the time when the contract for these fighters was signed.

TUAF F-16D, #93-0696, of 192 Filo, on a very rainy day at Cambrai AB, in 2003. [Military Aircraft Collection photo by Michael Stolle]

• 1947: Activation of the squadron in Balikesir
• 1947: 'Hurricane' Mk. IIC (as II TB, part of 9A)
• 1948: P-47D 'Thunderbolt'
• 1949: P-47D 'Thunderbolt' (part of 9AA)
• 1951: P-47D 'Thunderbolt' (re-designated 192 Filo, part of 9HU)
• 1952: F-84G 'Thunderjet'
• 1961: F-84F 'Thunderstreak'
• 1963: F-84F 'Thunderstreak' (part of 9AJU)
• 1965: F-84Q 'Thunderstreak'
• 1970: F-5A 'Freedom Fighter'
• 1976: F-104S 'Starfighter'
• 1988: F-104G 'Starfighter'
• 1992: F-16C/D 'Fighting Falcon'

Deployments

	' Deny Flight'
	Ghedi AB, Italy (January 1st, 1994 to December 31st, 1994)
	From the start of the Turkish Air Force F-16 operations in former Yugoslavia till December of 1994 it was part of 'Deny Flight'. This was an operation in support of the UN-led UNPROFOR troops stationed in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
	' Deliberate Guard'
	Ghedi AB, Italy (December 22nd, 1996 to December 31st, 1997)
	When the UN forces in Bosnia-Herzegovina changed their mandate resulting in a name change from IFOR to SFOR, also the air operations were given another name. Ultimately, 'Deliberate Guard' formed the air asset for the SFOR troops.

• All 192 Filo F-16s in our F-16 Aircraft Database (past and current aircraft)
• Current 192 Filo F-16s in our F-16 Aircraft Database

Special Thanks

Ole Nikolajsen