Serial V-11 leads a formation with two F-35s. The Gulfstream IV of 334sq, with the Dutch Minister of Defense on board, picked up the first two Dutch F-35As on their maiden deployment from their home base Edwards AFB (CA) to Dutch soil. Both Lightning II s, F-001 and F-002 were assigned to the 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron (31st TES) and returned some weeks later to Edwards to continue their test program.

First arrival in the Netherlands. Pictured just after the Atlantic crossing for its first visit to its future homebase. This is the second F-35A for the Koninklijke Luchtmacht (KLu, Royal Netherlands Air Force). The aircraft (FMS 10-5019) made its first flight on 27 June 2013 and was delivered to the KLu on 01 August 2013. It was assigned too the 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron (31 TES) at Eglin AFB (FL) and carried the (USAF) OT tailcode during its test program. After the 31st TES, the Lighting was transferred to Edwards AFB (CA) where it joined the 323 Test Squadron.

Resting after the Atlantic crossing for the very first time. This first F-35A for the KLu, arrived in its maiden deployment at Leeuwarden on 23 May'16. F-001 (FMS 09-5008) took the skies for the first time on 6 Aug'12, and was delivered to the KLu, before the Dutch government decided for an F-35 order, on 25 Jul'13. It was assigned to the 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron at Eglin AFB (FL) and carried the (USAF) OT tailcode during its test program. After the 31st TES, the -35 was transferred to Edwards AFB (CA) where it joined the 323 Test Squadron. Currently assigned to 308th FS at Luke (AZ)

During a combat deployment against ISIS in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, F-16A J-631 was deployed to Jordan to fly missions over Iraq and Syria. Here, the Viper is seen in that dusty environment, equipped with AIM-120 AMRAAMs on its wingtips and a GBU-12 Paveway II underneath its right wing. J-631 is a Fokker built F-16A (FMS 80-3631, Fokker c/n L-128), it made its first flight on 25 Mar'83, was delivered to the KLu on 2 May'83 and assigned to 311sq. Late '83 the F-16 was transferred as F-16A(R) to recce sqn 306sq. It was modified to AM in 2000. It is stored at Volkel since Aug'20.

During a combat deployment against ISIS in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, F-16A J-136 was deployed to Jordan to fly missions over Iraq and Syria. Here, the Viper is seen in that dusty environment, equipped with AIM-120 AMRAAMs on its wingtips and a GBU-12 Paveway II underneath its right wing. J-136 is a Fokker built F-16A (FMS 85-0136, Fokker c/n L-232), it made its first flight on 30 Jul'87, was delivered to the KLu on 31 Jul'87, was modified to AM in 1998.

During a combat deployment against ISIS in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, F-16A J-515 was deployed to Jordan to fly missions over Iraq and Syria. Here, the Viper is seen in that dusty environment and taking off for another anti-ISIS mission, equipped with AIM-120 AMRAAMs on its wingtips and a GBU-12 Paveway II underneath its right wing. J-515 is a Fokker built F-16A (FMS 87-0515, Fokker c/n L-277), it made its first flight on 29 Mar'90, was delivered to the KLu on 3 Aypr'90, was modified to AM in 1998.

During a combat deployment against ISIS in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, F-16A J-624 was deployed to Jordan to fly missions over Iraq and Syria. Here, the Viper is seen in that dusty environment, equipped with AIM-120 AMRAAMs on its wingtips and two GBU-12 Paveway IIs as well as a single GBU-54 JDAM underneath its wings. This is a Fokker built F-16A, it made its first flight on 30 Nov'82, was delivered to the KLu on 6 Dec'82, was modified to AM in '99 and withdrawn from use in Apr'20. The F-16 was sold to Belgium as 'LB-061' where it acts as an instructional airframe at Kleine Brogel.

During a combat deployment against ISIS in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, F-16A J-136 was deployed to Jordan to fly missions over Iraq and Syria. Here, the Viper is seen in that dusty environment, equipped with AIM-120 AMRAAMs on its wingtips and Small Diameter Bombs underneath its left wing. J-136 is a Fokker built F-16A (FMS 85-0136, Fokker c/n L-232), it made its first flight on 30 Jul'87, was delivered to the KLu on 31 Jul'87, was modified to AM in 1998.