Lackland Air Force Base in Bexar County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

F-16 "Fighting Falcon"

Photographed by James Hulse, August 16, 2024

1. F-16 "Fighting Falcon" Marker

Inscription. The F-16 evolved from a 1972 Air Force lightweight fighter prototype program which sought a small, lightweight, low cost, air superiority day fighter designed for high performance and ease of maintenance. The YF-17 was selected the winner, over the Northrop YF-17, after the LWF fly-off competition was completed. The basic YF-17 design was used as the basis for the Navy's F-18. The F-16 achieved combat-ready status in October 1980. Many foreign nations, including Belgium, Denmark, Turkey, Egypt and Israel, have purchased the F-16. During Desert Shield/Storm and Operation Desert Fox in 1991, the F-16 provided close air support and air defense suppression roles. In Operation Desert Storm the F-16 flew 13,500 sorties with 250 aircraft, provided more than 40 percent of Air Force bomb dropping sorties and delivered 20,000 τοns of bombs. It operated from austere, forward-operating locations to maximize sortie rates and payloads, and performed a variety of missions, including Scud chasing and killer scout (fast forward controller).

This aerospace vehicle (s/n 78-0107) is part of the USAF Heritage Program Collection.

Erected by USAF

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Heritage Program Collection.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, 1st Iraq & Desert Storm • War, 2nd Iraq. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1980.

Location. 29° 23.511′ N, 98° 37.292′ W. Marker is in Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, in Bexar County. It is on Bong Avenue south of Luke Blvd. The marker is located at the USAF Airman Heritage Museum’s Air Park which is around the parade grounds. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Jbsa Lackland TX 78236, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South Texas

and in the San Antonio Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A-10A "Thunderbolt II" (within shouting distance of this marker); F-15 "Eagle" (within shouting

F-16 "Fighting Falcon" and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, August 16, 2024

2. F-16 "Fighting Falcon" and Marker

distance of this marker); Vought A-7D "Corsair II" (within shouting distance of this marker); Brig. Gen. Charles "Chuck" Yeager (within shouting distance of this marker); We Remember (within shouting distance of this marker); AT-6 "Texan" (within shouting distance of this marker); T-34A "Mentor" (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); T-28 "Trojan" (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lackland Air Force Base.

More about this marker. The marker, museum and air park are located on the Lackland Air Force Base, an active U.S. military installation which is a part of the Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA). The USAF Airman Heritage Museum and Air Park are open to the public, but appropriate identification is required for access. Visit the museum’s web site for current details on visiting the museum and air park.

Also see . . .
1. Airmen Heritage Training Complex. USAF Airman Heritage Museum (Submitted on August 22, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

2. General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon. Wikipedia

The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is an American single-engine
Photographed by James Hulse, August 16, 2024

3. The view of the F-16 "Fighting Falcon" and Marker along the trail
supersonic multirole fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force (USAF). Designed as an air superiority day fighter, it evolved into a successful all-weather multirole aircraft with over 4,600 built since 1976. Although no longer purchased by the U.S. Air Force, improved versions are being built for export. In 1993, General Dynamics sold its aircraft manufacturing business to the Lockheed Corporation, which became part of Lockheed Martin after a 1995 merger with Martin Marietta.

(Submitted on August 22, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

F-16 "Fighting Falcon" image. Click for full size.

Public Domain - US Air Force - Master Sgt. Andy Dunaway, June 10, 2008

4. F-16 "Fighting Falcon"

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon Block 40 aircraft after receiving fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft during a mission over Iraq on 10 June 2008. This F-16 is assigned to the 34th EFS Balad Air Base, Iraq and is deployed from the 388th Fighter Wing at Hill Air Force Base, Utah.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 22, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 20, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 147 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 22, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.