Barney Circle in Southeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Fighting Falcon
— [113 Wing, D.C. Air National Guard] —
The F-16 became the D.C. Air National Guard alert duty aircraft on Sept. 11, 2001. For twelve years, this capable fighter has responded to more than 4,000 individual alert missions over the District of Columbia. The U.S. Air Force has flown the F-16 in every major conflict since its operational service date in 1980, including: Panama, the Gulf War, Operations Northern and Southern Watch, Iraqi Freedom, Allied Force, Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, New Dawn and Odyssey Dawn.
The F-16 is a single-engine, supersonic, multi-role tactical fighter aircraft. Lightweight and nimble, the F-16 has proven itself in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attack. The jet can pull nine G-force maneuvers and reach a maximum speed of more than Mach 2 (1,500 mph). The F-16 includes innovations such as a frameless bubble canopy for better visibility, a side-mounted control stick, and reclined seat to reduce G-force effects.
The aircraft displayed was the 8th F-16 to roll off the assembly line. It began life as a block 1 F-16A, assigned to the world’s first F-16 Squadron, the 16th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, on October 1, 1980. It was then reassigned to the 4th Tactical Fighter Squadron, which was the world’s first operational combat F-16 Fighter Squadron also at Hill AFB. The aircraft was subsequently upgraded to a Block 10 model went on to serve in operational combat units stationed around the world at locations such as Nellis AFB, Nev., Torrejon Air Base, Spain, and finally Tucson ANG Base, Ariz. It was retired from the inventory in 1993. It was flown by numerous "Capital Guardians" during its time in service both in training and operational roles.
The F-16 on display, Tail No. 78-008, is shown with the paint and labeling of the 113 Wing, D.C. Air National Guard and is on loan from the U.S. Air Force Heritage Program.
Erected by 113 Wing, D.C. Air National Guard.
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Military • Notable Events • War, 1st Iraq & Desert Storm. A significant historical date for this entry is October 1, 1980.
Location. 38° 53.352′ N, 76° 58.489′ W. Marker is in Southeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Barney Circle. Memorial is on East Capitol Street Southeast west of 22nd Street Southeast, on the right when traveling east. Marker is on the east lawn near the main entrance to the Joint Force Headquarters, DC National Guard Armory. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2001 East Capitol Street Southeast, Washington DC 20003, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Fighting Falcon (a few steps from this marker); UH-IV Iroquois (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Clark Calvin Griffith (about 500 feet away); In Memory of Eastern High School Alumni (approx. ¼ mile away); Whitney M. Young, Jr. Memorial Bridge (approx. 0.3 miles away); Uriah Tracy (approx. half a mile away); Thomas R. Gedney (approx. half a mile away); John Smilie (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Southeast Washington.
More about this marker. An identical marker hangs on the fence along the street.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.
Also see . . . 113th Wing Air National Guard: "The Capital Guardians". (Submitted on May 22, 2014, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
Additional keywords. DC Armory F-16 Fighting Falcon
Credits. This page was last revised on September 25, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 22, 2014, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 567 times since then and 12 times this year. Last updated on May 30, 2014, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on September 11, 2023, by Mark Moxley-Knapp of Columbus, Ohio. 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 22, 2014, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.