Republic of China Air Force's First F-16s

The Republic of China (Taiwan) Air Force is taking delivery of their first two Block 70 F-16V Vipers. 6727 (sn 21-1107 / VN-7) and 6728 (sn 21-1108 / VN-8) are making their delivery flights from FTW to RCQS [Chihang Air Base, Taitung, Taiwan], and are making a stop at HIK. They departed FTW on the 17th, and stopped at CEA [Cessna Field, Wichita, KS], escorted by a US Air Force KC-135R, 61-0293 (c/n 18200, l/n T0515), from the 22nd ARW.

These F-16Vs are the first of 66 that the Republic of China Air Force ordered in 2019. It will be a mix of single-seat C models, and two-seat D models, that fall under the Block 70 V variant.

Further information in this Taipei Times article.

Eielson's Aggressors

Earlier this month, we saw the arrival of F-16s from the 18th Aggressor Squadron out of Eielson Air force Base, Alaska. A few were seen almost exactly a year ago to partake in the training exercise "Sentry Aloha" with Hawai‘i Air National Guard's F-22s.

Sentry Aloha

The beginning of the month kicked off exercise Sentry Aloha. This exercise provides dissimilar air combat training (DACT) among the F-16C/Ds of the 18th Aggressor Squadron from Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska, Hawaii Air National Guard's F-22As, F-15Cs from Montana's 120th Fighter Wing and Oregon's 173rd Fighter Wing.

Also transiting through today, were the F/A-18C Hornets of VMFA-232 "Red Devils". A historical note about the VMFA-232, they had two stints at Marine Corps Air Field Kāne‘ohe Bay. The first "K-Bay" assignment was from 1956 to 1966, they flew the North American FJ-1A Fury and the LTV F-8E Crusader. The second "K-Bay" assignment was from 1977 to 1993, when they flew the McDonnell-Douglas F-4J Phantom II and the F/A-18 Hornets. They are currently stationed at MCAS Miramar, but on deployment to Kandahar, Afghanistan.