F-16 - Revision history

RobSmith: /* The F-16 in Media */ de-wiki

2024-07-08T02:58:59Z

The F-16 in Media: de-wiki

RobSmith: /* The F-16 in Media */

2024-07-08T02:56:02Z

The F-16 in Media

Aschlafly: copy-edit improvements

2024-07-08T02:24:36Z

copy-edit improvements

Conservative: /* Operators */

2024-06-17T23:09:52Z

Operators

Aschlafly at 07:21, March 17, 2023

2023-03-17T07:21:26Z

Aschlafly: pricetag

2023-03-17T07:20:52Z

pricetag

Aschlafly: Only one jet fighter by Russia, its Sukhoi Su-57 Felon, is considered superior.

2023-03-17T07:15:50Z

Only one jet fighter by Russia, its Sukhoi Su-57 Felon, is considered superior.

Quidam65 at 22:58, February 5, 2023

2023-02-05T22:58:09Z

DavidB4-bot: /* Israel */HTTP --> HTTPS, replaced: http://www.haaretz.com → https://www.haaretz.com

2019-04-02T11:44:59Z

Israel: HTTP --> HTTPS, replaced: http://www.haaretz.com → https://www.haaretz.com

DavidB4-bot: Spelling, grammar, and general cleanup, typos fixed: Israel’s → Israel's (3)

2019-03-28T16:12:22Z

Spelling, grammar, and general cleanup, typos fixed: Israel’s → Israel's (3)

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 ==The F-16 in Media==
-The Falcon played the title role in the movie ''[[Iron Eagle]],'' and has been seen in the movies ''[[Blue Thunder]]'', ''[[X2: X-Men United]]'', ''[[The Sum of All Fears (film)|The Sum of All Fears]]'', and others.  F-16s stood in for enemy MiGs in an episode of the short-lived ABC TV series, ''Supercarrier'', and played a brief, but dramatic, role at the end of the CBS series, ''[[Jericho (television series)|Jericho]]''.
+The Falcon played the title role in the movie ''[[Iron Eagle]],'' and has been seen in the movies ''Blue Thunder'', ''X2: X-Men United'', ''The Sum of All Fears'', and others.  F-16s stood in for enemy MiGs in an episode of the short-lived ABC TV series, ''Supercarrier'', and played a brief, but dramatic, role at the end of the CBS series, ''Jericho''.
-In literature,<ref>to use the term broadly</ref> the title character of the ''Wingman'' series of adventure novels is the pilot of the last F-16 to survive [[World War III]].  In ''Red Phoenix'', [[Larry Bond]]'s techno-thriller about a second [[Korean War]], one of the main characters, Tony "Saint" Christopher, is an American Falcon pilot stationed in [[South Korea]].  [[Dale Brown]] put F-16s into a memorable dogfight with [[Cuba]]n MiGs in his novel, ''Day of the Cheetah''.
+In literature,<ref>to use the term broadly</ref> the title character of the ''Wingman'' series of adventure novels is the pilot of the last F-16 to survive [[World War III]].  In ''Red Phoenix'', Larry Bond's techno-thriller about a second [[Korean War]], one of the main characters, Tony "Saint" Christopher, is an American Falcon pilot stationed in [[South Korea]]. Dale Brown put F-16s into a memorable dogfight with [[Cuba]]n MiGs in his novel, ''Day of the Cheetah''.
 ==See also==

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:56, July 8, 2024
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	In literature,<ref>to use the term broadly</ref> the title character of the ''Wingman'' series of adventure novels is the pilot of the last F-16 to survive [[World War III]]. In ''Red Phoenix'', [[Larry Bond]]'s techno-thriller about a second [[Korean War]], one of the main characters, Tony "Saint" Christopher, is an American Falcon pilot stationed in [[South Korea]]. [[Dale Brown]] put F-16s into a memorable dogfight with [[Cuba]]n MiGs in his novel, ''Day of the Cheetah''.		In literature,<ref>to use the term broadly</ref> the title character of the ''Wingman'' series of adventure novels is the pilot of the last F-16 to survive [[World War III]]. In ''Red Phoenix'', [[Larry Bond]]'s techno-thriller about a second [[Korean War]], one of the main characters, Tony "Saint" Christopher, is an American Falcon pilot stationed in [[South Korea]]. [[Dale Brown]] put F-16s into a memorable dogfight with [[Cuba]]n MiGs in his novel, ''Day of the Cheetah''.
		+
		+	==See also==
		+	*[[S-300]]
		+	*[[S-400]]
		+	*[[S-500]]

	==References==		==References==

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 [[Image:F-16.JPG‎|thumb]]
-The '''F-16 Fighting Falcon''' is a multirole fighter aircraft. There are several versions serving in 24 air forces; with over 5,000 of the aircraft produced, the F-16 is one of the most successful modern fighters.  Even with the advent of more modern stealth aircraft (such as the [[F-22]] and the [[F-35]]), it is still in production as of 2023 for smaller foreign countries which cannot afford, and lack the need for, modern aircraft.
+The '''F-16 Fighting Falcon''' is a multirole fighter aircraft. There are several versions serving in 24 air forces; with over 5,000 of the aircraft produced, the F-16 is one of the most successful modern fighters.  Even with the advent of more modern stealth aircraft (such as the [[F-22]] and the [[F-35]]), the F-16 is still in production as of 2023 for smaller foreign countries that cannot afford, and lack the need for, modern aircraft.
 The F-16 remains a top-ranked fighter jet as of 2023, one of the finest in the world.<ref name="Rank">https://www.operationmilitarykids.org/best-fighter-jets-in-the-world/#:~:text=The%20reputation%20of%20the%20F,aircraft%2C%20even%20if%20it's%20older.</ref>  Only one jet fighter by [[Russia]], its Sukhoi Su-57 Felon, is considered superior.<ref name="Rank"/>  "Depending on the configuration, price varies from $12 to $35 million."<ref>https://aerocorner.com/aircraft/lockheed-martin-f16-fighting-falcon/</ref>
-The Falcon has scored a number of times in combat, its most well-known mission being the [[Israeli]] bombing raid that destroyed the Iraqi [[nuclear power]] plant at Osirak in 1981.<ref>''Raid on the Sun'', by Rodger W. Clarke, 2004</ref> The aircraft is known for excellent [[dogfight]]ing maneuverability.
+The Falcon has scored many times in combat, its most well-known mission being the [[Israeli]] bombing raid that destroyed the Iraqi [[nuclear power]] plant at Osirak in 1981.<ref>''Raid on the Sun'', by Rodger W. Clarke, 2004</ref> The aircraft is known for excellent [[dogfight]]ing maneuverability.
 == F-16 Models ==
@@ Line 13: / Line 13: @@
 *F-16N (Block 15) Aggressor version built for the [[US Navy]] was built without the 20mm Gatling Gun and the firing port was faired over with sheet metal.  2 Squadrons were equipped one in California and the other in Key West, FL.  Aircraft were painted to resemble Soviet Block aircraft along with Soviet markings.  All have since been retired to DMARC in New Mexico.
 *F-16 ADF (Air defense fighter): advanced upgrades for the USAF for the specific reason of interception of soviet bombers, Used also by the [[Royal Jordanian Airforce]]
-*F-16 MLU (Mid Life Update): Program to bring the early F-16s to a standard Block 50+ characteristics. Used by the Royal Netherlands Air Force, the Belgian Air Force, the Royal Jordanian air force, the Pakistan Air Force, the Royal Danish Air Force, the Royal Norwegian Air Force and the Portuguese Air Force.
+*F-16 MLU (Mid-Life Update): Program to bring the early F-16s to standard Block 50+ characteristics. Used by the Royal Netherlands Air Force, the Belgian Air Force, the Royal Jordanian Air Force, the Pakistan Air Force, the Royal Danish Air Force, the Royal Norwegian Air Force and the Portuguese Air Force.
 == Armament ==
@@ Line 26: / Line 26: @@
 Other external stores include:
-and 600 gallon fuel tanks;
+and 600-gallon fuel tanks;
-gallon fuel tanks;
+-gallon fuel tanks;
 Various Electronic Counter Measure Pods (ECM)
@@ Line 62: / Line 62: @@
 Israel acquired F-16s for its air force in 1978, and their most well-known combat mission was the raid on the Iraqi Osirak nuclear reactor on June 7, 1981, carried out by eight Falcons flown by elite pilots.  The target was destroyed without any hits on the bombers or their escorts, and it was one of the most successful bombing missions in aviation history.  After the attack, Israel was thought to have used guided munitions because the strikes were so accurate.  In fact, the strike had been carried out with unguided bombs.  The skill of the pilots, and the sophistication of the F-16s’ targeting computers, was that good.
-The very first time the F-16 saw combat, however, was earlier in that year.  On April 28, 1981, F-16s downed two [[Syria]]n Mi-8 helicopters over [[Lebanon]].<ref>[http://www.f-16.net/f-16_users_article7.html F-16.net: Israel]</ref>  The first fighter kill was in July 14, 1981, when [[Amir Nachumi]], one of the pilots in the Osirak attack, splashed a Syrian [[MiG-21]].  Nachumi would go on to score six more victories in the Falcon.  In 1982, Israeli Falcons were involved in the aerial fighting with the Syrian air force over the [[Bekaa Valley]], scoring a total of 44 aerial victories for no losses.  The Syrians claim to have shot down a number of F-16s in the battle, but this has never been confirmed.<ref>[http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_272.shtml Syrian Air-to-Air Victories Since 1948]</ref>
+The very first time the F-16 saw combat, however, was earlier in that year.  On April 28, 1981, F-16s downed two [[Syria]]n Mi-8 helicopters over [[Lebanon]].<ref>[http://www.f-16.net/f-16_users_article7.html F-16.net: Israel]</ref>  The first fighter kill was on July 14, 1981, when [[Amir Nachumi]], one of the pilots in the Osirak attack, splashed a Syrian [[MiG-21]].  Nachumi would go on to score six more victories in the Falcon.  In 1982, Israeli Falcons were involved in aerial fighting with the Syrian air force over the [[Bekaa Valley]], scoring a total of 44 aerial victories for no losses.  The Syrians claim to have shot down a number of F-16s in the battle, but this has never been confirmed.<ref>[http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_272.shtml Syrian Air-to-Air Victories Since 1948]</ref>
 F-16s have since formed the backbone of Israel's striking power.  Falcons were active in the [[2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict]], and many of these were the new F-16I, a variant designed specifically for [[Israel Defense Forces|Israeli Defense Force]] needs.  One F-16I was lost in an accident during the conflict.<ref>[https://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=740395 IDF Fighter Jet Crashes During Take-off]</ref>  On September 6, 2007, F-16Is also helped carry out Operation Orchard, an attack on a suspected Syrian nuclear plant.<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/sep/16/iran.israel Was Israeli Raid a Dry Run For Attack on Iran?]</ref>  F-16s hit several Hamas targets in [[Gaza]] in the last days of 2008 in response to rocket attacks on Israel from Gaza.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7800985.stm BBC: Massive Air Raids on Gaza]</ref>
@@ Line 70: / Line 70: @@
 ===Gulf War===
-The F-16 was the most numerous airplane type in the [[Gulf War]],<ref>''Desert Storm: Air War'', by Robert F. Dorr, Motorbooks International</ref> and flew the most combat sorties, almost 13,500.<ref>[http://home.iae.nl/users/wbergmns/info/f16.htm General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon]</ref>  F-16 units maintained a 95.2% mission capable rate during the war.  Three were lost in combat, all to SAMs, all three of the pilots becoming POWs.  Four other Falcons were lost in non-combat accidents or mishaps.<ref>[http://www.f-16.net/f-16_mishaps_year-1991.html F-16 Accident Reports for 1991 (includes combat losses)]</ref>
+The F-16 was the most numerous airplane type in the [[Gulf War]],<ref>''Desert Storm: Air War'', by Robert F. Dorr, Motorbooks International</ref> and flew the most combat sorties, almost 13,500.<ref>[http://home.iae.nl/users/wbergmns/info/f16.htm General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon]</ref>  F-16 units maintained a 95.2% mission-capable rate during the war.  Three were lost in combat, all to SAMs, all three of the pilots becoming POWs.  Four other Falcons were lost in non-combat accidents or mishaps.<ref>[http://www.f-16.net/f-16_mishaps_year-1991.html F-16 Accident Reports for 1991 (includes combat losses)]</ref>
 ===Inter-war action over Iraq===
@@ Line 79: / Line 79: @@
 ===Venezuela===
 The nation of [[Venezuela]] had acquired F-16s for air defense starting in 1983 and, for a long time, was the only South American user.  When a Venezuelan Air Force general attempted a coup in November 1992 (the second in Venezuela that year), two F-16 pilots stayed loyal to the government.  They played a key role in quashing the rebellion, effectively countering the insurgents’ air power and shooting down three aircraft (two American-made OV-10 Broncos and an AT-27 armed trainer).<ref>[http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_161.shtml Venezuelan Coup Attempt, 1992]</ref>
-Venezuela is one of two nations that ordered their F-16's equipped with drag chutes in the tail cone above the engine afterburner can.  The drag chute is used to slow the aircraft on landing and was needed for the high altitude runways in the country.
+Venezuela is one of two nations that ordered their F-16's equipped with drag chutes in the tail cone above the engine afterburner can.  The drag chute is used to slow the aircraft on landing and was needed for the high-altitude runways in the country.
 ===Balkans===

@@ Line 31: / Line 31: @@
 == Operators ==
 *[[Bahrain]] (22)
 *[[Belgium]]  (90)

@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 The '''F-16 Fighting Falcon''' is a multirole fighter aircraft. There are several versions serving in 24 air forces; with over 5,000 of the aircraft produced, the F-16 is one of the most successful modern fighters.  Even with the advent of more modern stealth aircraft (such as the [[F-22]] and the [[F-35]]), it is still in production as of 2023 for smaller foreign countries which cannot afford, and lack the need for, modern aircraft.
-The F-16 remains a top-ranked fighter jet as of 2023, one of the finest in the world.<ref name"Rank">https://www.operationmilitarykids.org/best-fighter-jets-in-the-world/#:~:text=The%20reputation%20of%20the%20F,aircraft%2C%20even%20if%20it's%20older.</ref>  Only one jet fighter by [[Russia]], its Sukhoi Su-57 Felon, is considered superior.<ref name="Rank"/>  "Depending on the configuration, price varies from $12 to $35 million."<ref>https://aerocorner.com/aircraft/lockheed-martin-f16-fighting-falcon/</ref>
+The F-16 remains a top-ranked fighter jet as of 2023, one of the finest in the world.<ref name="Rank">https://www.operationmilitarykids.org/best-fighter-jets-in-the-world/#:~:text=The%20reputation%20of%20the%20F,aircraft%2C%20even%20if%20it's%20older.</ref>  Only one jet fighter by [[Russia]], its Sukhoi Su-57 Felon, is considered superior.<ref name="Rank"/>  "Depending on the configuration, price varies from $12 to $35 million."<ref>https://aerocorner.com/aircraft/lockheed-martin-f16-fighting-falcon/</ref>
 The Falcon has scored a number of times in combat, its most well-known mission being the [[Israeli]] bombing raid that destroyed the Iraqi [[nuclear power]] plant at Osirak in 1981.<ref>''Raid on the Sun'', by Rodger W. Clarke, 2004</ref> The aircraft is known for excellent [[dogfight]]ing maneuverability.

@@ Line 59: / Line 59: @@
 The very first time the F-16 saw combat, however, was earlier in that year.  On April 28, 1981, F-16s downed two [[Syria]]n Mi-8 helicopters over [[Lebanon]].<ref>[http://www.f-16.net/f-16_users_article7.html F-16.net: Israel]</ref>  The first fighter kill was in July 14, 1981, when [[Amir Nachumi]], one of the pilots in the Osirak attack, splashed a Syrian [[MiG-21]].  Nachumi would go on to score six more victories in the Falcon.  In 1982, Israeli Falcons were involved in the aerial fighting with the Syrian air force over the [[Bekaa Valley]], scoring a total of 44 aerial victories for no losses.  The Syrians claim to have shot down a number of F-16s in the battle, but this has never been confirmed.<ref>[http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_272.shtml Syrian Air-to-Air Victories Since 1948]</ref>
-F-16s have since formed the backbone of Israel's striking power.  Falcons were active in the [[2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict]], and many of these were the new F-16I, a variant designed specifically for [[Israel Defense Forces|Israeli Defense Force]] needs.  One F-16I was lost in an accident during the conflict.<ref>[http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=740395 IDF Fighter Jet Crashes During Take-off]</ref>  On September 6, 2007, F-16Is also helped carry out Operation Orchard, an attack on a suspected Syrian nuclear plant.<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/sep/16/iran.israel Was Israeli Raid a Dry Run For Attack on Iran?]</ref>  F-16s hit several Hamas targets in [[Gaza]] in the last days of 2008 in response to rocket attacks on Israel from Gaza.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7800985.stm BBC: Massive Air Raids on Gaza]</ref>
+F-16s have since formed the backbone of Israel's striking power.  Falcons were active in the [[2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict]], and many of these were the new F-16I, a variant designed specifically for [[Israel Defense Forces|Israeli Defense Force]] needs.  One F-16I was lost in an accident during the conflict.<ref>[https://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=740395 IDF Fighter Jet Crashes During Take-off]</ref>  On September 6, 2007, F-16Is also helped carry out Operation Orchard, an attack on a suspected Syrian nuclear plant.<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/sep/16/iran.israel Was Israeli Raid a Dry Run For Attack on Iran?]</ref>  F-16s hit several Hamas targets in [[Gaza]] in the last days of 2008 in response to rocket attacks on Israel from Gaza.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7800985.stm BBC: Massive Air Raids on Gaza]</ref>
 ===Pakistan===

@@ Line 59: / Line 59: @@
 The very first time the F-16 saw combat, however, was earlier in that year.  On April 28, 1981, F-16s downed two [[Syria]]n Mi-8 helicopters over [[Lebanon]].<ref>[http://www.f-16.net/f-16_users_article7.html F-16.net: Israel]</ref>  The first fighter kill was in July 14, 1981, when [[Amir Nachumi]], one of the pilots in the Osirak attack, splashed a Syrian [[MiG-21]].  Nachumi would go on to score six more victories in the Falcon.  In 1982, Israeli Falcons were involved in the aerial fighting with the Syrian air force over the [[Bekaa Valley]], scoring a total of 44 aerial victories for no losses.  The Syrians claim to have shot down a number of F-16s in the battle, but this has never been confirmed.<ref>[http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_272.shtml Syrian Air-to-Air Victories Since 1948]</ref>
-F-16s have since formed the backbone of Israel’s striking power.  Falcons were active in the [[2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict]], and many of these were the new F-16I, a variant designed specifically for [[Israel Defense Forces|Israeli Defense Force]] needs.  One F-16I was lost in an accident during the conflict.<ref>[http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=740395 IDF Fighter Jet Crashes During Take-off]</ref>  On September 6, 2007, F-16Is also helped carry out Operation Orchard, an attack on a suspected Syrian nuclear plant.<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/sep/16/iran.israel Was Israeli Raid a Dry Run For Attack on Iran?]</ref>  F-16s hit several Hamas targets in [[Gaza]] in the last days of 2008 in response to rocket attacks on Israel from Gaza.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7800985.stm BBC: Massive Air Raids on Gaza]</ref>
+F-16s have since formed the backbone of Israel's striking power.  Falcons were active in the [[2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict]], and many of these were the new F-16I, a variant designed specifically for [[Israel Defense Forces|Israeli Defense Force]] needs.  One F-16I was lost in an accident during the conflict.<ref>[http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=740395 IDF Fighter Jet Crashes During Take-off]</ref>  On September 6, 2007, F-16Is also helped carry out Operation Orchard, an attack on a suspected Syrian nuclear plant.<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/sep/16/iran.israel Was Israeli Raid a Dry Run For Attack on Iran?]</ref>  F-16s hit several Hamas targets in [[Gaza]] in the last days of 2008 in response to rocket attacks on Israel from Gaza.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7800985.stm BBC: Massive Air Raids on Gaza]</ref>
 ===Pakistan===
@@ Line 79: / Line 79: @@
 NATO F-16s helped enforce the no-fly zone over [[Bosnia]] (Operation Deny Flight) during the [[Bosnian War|Yugoslav Civil War]].  On February 28, 1994, six Yugoslav Air Force light attack fighters violated the no-fly zone and were engaged by a pair of USAF Falcons.  Captain Robert Wright downed three fighters with an AMRAAM and two [[AIM-9 Sidewinder|Sidewinder]] missiles, and Captain Scott O’Grady fired a Sidewinder, but missed.  The Falcons had to disengage due to low fuel, but a second pair arrived, and shot down a fourth plane with a Sidewinder.  The remaining two YAF planes bugged out.<ref>[http://www.f-16.net/news_article1010.html USAF F-16s Shoot down Four Serb attack aircraft]</ref><ref>[http://www.afsouth.nato.int/operations/denyflight/DenyFlightFactSheet.htm AFSOUTH Fact Sheet: Operation Deny Flight]</ref>
-On June 2, 1995, Captains Wright and O’Grady were airborne again, patrolling the no-fly zone near Banja Luka, when O’Grady’s plane was locked on by an SA-6 missile and shot down.  He safely ejected, and spent six days evading Serbian forces before he was rescued.  His safe return made international headlines.<ref>''Rolling Thunder:  Jet Combat from World War II to the Gulf War'', by Ivan Rendall, Dell Publishing, 1997</ref>
+On June 2, 1995, Captains Wright and O’Grady were airborne again, patrolling the no-fly zone near Banja Luka, when O’Grady's plane was locked on by an SA-6 missile and shot down.  He safely ejected, and spent six days evading Serbian forces before he was rescued.  His safe return made international headlines.<ref>''Rolling Thunder:  Jet Combat from World War II to the Gulf War'', by Ivan Rendall, Dell Publishing, 1997</ref>
 On March 24, 1999, at the beginning of the [[Kosovo War]] (Operation Allied Force), a Dutch F-16 based in southern [[Italy]] shot down a Yugoslav [[MiG-29]] with an AMRAAM missile, the first air-to-air victory of the operation, and the first for the Dutch military since World War II.<ref>[http://www.f-16.net/f-16_users_article8.html F-16 Users: The Netherlands]</ref>  NATO Falcons executed a large portion of the airstrikes in the war, and on May 1, an American F-16 was shot down by an SA-3 missile while on a mission over Serbia.<ref>http://www.f-16.net/f-16_fighting_falcon_airframe-2787.html</ref>  The pilot was recovered safely.  [http://www.f-16.net/news_article2167.html]  A few days later, near [[Belgrade]], another MiG-29 fell to a USAF F-16 of the 78th Fighter Squadron.<ref>[http://www.codeonemagazine.com/archives/1999/articles/jul_99/jul2_p.html Operation Allied Force in Code One Magazine]</ref>
@@ Line 90: / Line 90: @@
 ===Iraq War===
 F-16s were also involved in the [[Operation Iraqi Freedom|2003 Iraq War]].  One was lost to non-combat causes in June 2003.<ref>http://www.f-16.net/f-16_fighting_falcon_airframe-2661.html</ref>
-Earlier that year, an F-16 was involved in another friendly fire incident with a Patriot missile battery.<ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/org/news/2003/030326-patriot01.htm Patriot Missiles apparently Falter for Second Time]</ref>  There were no casualties, but the battery’s radar dish was destroyed when the Falcon hit it with a HARM missile.
+Earlier that year, an F-16 was involved in another friendly fire incident with a Patriot missile battery.<ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/org/news/2003/030326-patriot01.htm Patriot Missiles apparently Falter for Second Time]</ref>  There were no casualties, but the battery's radar dish was destroyed when the Falcon hit it with a HARM missile.
 F-16s are still active in counter-insurgency missions, and a number of F-16 pilots have been awarded the [[Distinguished Flying Cross]] for missions over Iraq.<ref>[http://www.f-16.net/news_topic149.html F-16 Conflict News]</ref>  The most famous action of the war that involved the Fighting Falcon was the 2006 strike that assassinated Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi, then the leader of Al-Qaeda in Iraq.<ref>[http://www.famousplanes.info/f-16-fighting-falcon.php FamousPlanes.info: Fighting Falcon]</ref>