FMS serial 22-5761, first flight 31 August 2023 and delivered from the Final Assembly and Check Out (FACO) facility Cameri (Italy) to the Koninklijke Luchtmacht (KLu, Royal Netherlands Air Force) on 28 September 2023. The Lightning II received a 313sq badge on the tail accompanied by ACC titels, the Air Combat Command of the KLu.

Seen here is D-5810 carrying "UFO" on its tail (that had the few remaining Starfighters on strength) getting ready for take off for the final RNLAF F-104 mission on 21 November 1984, together with D-8062, D-8258, D-5803 and D-5804. Unfortunately, the weather on this historic day was very bad.

Austria had been a neutral country during the Cold War and so when the requirement for a new jet fighter arose in the early 1980s they bought used Drakens from Sweden, also a neutral country. After further upgrades including a self-defence system, the type entered service with the Austria air force in 1985 as J35Ö (for Österreich/Austria). Austria finally retired its Drakens in 2005. Serial 19 is seen here at the KLu Open Dagen at Volkel in 2000.

With a horizontal grey box on the left side of the tail, placed over the once squadron markings, J-008 is seen here just before its final take-off in service of the Koninklijke Luchtmacht (KLu, Royal Netherlands Air Force). The Falcon participated in the farewell formation flight over the Netherlands. J-008 was delivered to the KLu on 31 Jan'91 and served all the way to the end of the Fighting Falcon in the KLu. It was built by Fokker (L-287) as a Block 15, was modified to Block 20 MLU in the late '90s. The aircraft is now heading for Romania to serve as a training aircraft or to Ukraine.

Just finished its very last flight for the Koninklijke Luchtmacht (KLu, Royal Netherlands Air Force), J-006, stripped off squadron markings, was part of the farewell formation flight over the Netherlands. The Falcon is here seen just before it gets its traditional fire department water salute. J-006 was built by Fokker (L-285) as a Block 15AC OCU and delivered to the KLu on 13 Nov'90. It was modified in the mid 90s to Block 20 Mid-Life Update. It served most of the Dutch F-16 squadrons in its career, but is soon after this fini flight heading for Romania as a training aircraft or to Ukraine.

Just finished its very last flight for the Koninklijke Luchtmacht (KLu, Royal Netherlands Air Force), J-512 was part of the farewell formation flight over the Netherlands. The Falcon is here seen just before it gets its traditional fire department water salute. J-512 was built by Fokker (L-272) as a Block 15AC OCU and delivered to the KLu on 9 November 1989. It was modified in the late 90s to Block 20 Mid-Life Update. It served most of the Dutch F-16 squadrons in its career, but is soon after this fini flight heading for Romania as a training aircraft or to Ukraine.

A sight never to be seen again post 27 September 2024. Dutch F-16s at the line of Volkel. J-512 leading this flightline, just after the final flight over the Netherlands. J-512 was built by Fokker (L-272) as a Block 15AC OCU and delivered to the KLu on 9 November 1989. It was modified in the late 90s to Block 20 Mid-Life Update. It served most of the Dutch F-16 squadrons in its career, but is soon after this fini flight heading for Romania as a training aircraft or to Ukraine.

With a grey diamond pattern on the right side of the tail, placed over the once squadron markings, J-008 is seen here just before its final take-off in service of the Koninklijke Luchtmacht (KLu, Royal Netherlands Air Force). The Falcon participated in the farewell formation flight over the Netherlands. J-008 was delivered to the KLu on 31 Jan'91 and served all the way to the end of the Fighting Falcon in the KLu. It was built by Fokker (L-287) as a Block 15, was modified to Block 20 MLU in the late '90s. The aircraft is now heading for Romania to serve as a training aircraft or to Ukraine.

Moment before its final take-off in service of the Koninklijke Luchtmacht (KLu, Royal Netherlands Air Force). J-197 took part in the farewell formation flight over the Netherlands on the 27th. J-197 was buolt by Fokker (L-206) and delivered to the KLu on 29 November 1985 as a Block 15U. It received a MLU in 2000 and became a Block 20 MLU. The aircraft is now heading for Romania to serve as a training aircraft or to Ukraine.

Blasting away from Volkel air base runway 26R.