On November 4, 2022, the F-16 was shown to an audience of enthusiasts while escorting a WWII Spitfire fighter—a model that the 349 (F) Squadron of the British Royal Air Force had flown for years
The stunning photos in this post, which were taken at Kleine-Brogel Air Base by Andrew Timmerman from Finn Aviation Photography, show off an F-16 from the 349th Squadron of the Belgian Air Force. The nearly 50-year-old Viper flew in the unit’s colors in observance of its 80th anniversary, and it was specifically painted for the occasion.
On November 4, 2022, the aircraft was displayed to an audience of enthusiasts, including escorting a Second World War Spitfire fighter that was flown and employed for many years by the British Royal Air Force’s 349 (F) Squadron before being placed under Belgian cockades following the war.
The aircraft’s decorated tail fin, which features a drawing of the first commander of the Spitfire, “Duke” Ivan Du Monceau de Bergendal, wearing a leather helmet, is a remembrance of this historical moment, according to the Brussels Times. The F-35A stealth fighter, which will serve as the squadron’s future mount in 2027, and a pilot wearing the most recent model of helmet with the words “349 Sqn. Proud of the past, Ready for the future” are displayed on the left side.
The British Royal Air Force’s 349 (Belgian) Squadron was founded in 1942 as a Belgian British Royal Air Force (RAF) unit. During the Second World War, the squadron took part in all major operations, including the first flights over the beaches of Normandy on D-Day and the liberation of Western Europe that followed.
Together with its French-speaking sister unit (350 Squadron), 349 Squadron contributed to the groundwork of the modern Belgian Air Force.
Up until 1996, when the 1st Fighter Wing disbanded on March 4 of that year, the two Squadrons were stationed at Beauvechain with the 1st Fighter Wing. The units gained experience in all facets of air combat during this time, including the renowned F-104 Starfighter stratospheric flights.
349 Squadron became the first operational NATO F-16 unit in 1979. In 1996, the 349 Squadron moved to Kleine-Brogel Air Force Base, where they completed multi-role training. The illustrious 349 CO Count “Duke” du Monceau de Bergendal is the current name of the base.
The 349 Squadron has been involved in all Belgian air operations over the years; it was the first NATO squadron to land in Siauliai, Lithuania, in 2004 to defend the Baltic airspace, and it conducted the first flights over Libya in 2011.
Photo by Andrew Timmerman