Monday is the end of the 338 squadron of F-16 aircraft in Ørland. All operational activity with the fighter plane type is to now be transferred to the 331 squadron in Bodø.
It was a small milestone in Norwegian air defense history when Lieutenant Colonel Ivar Magne Stene took the 338 squadron’s flag, handing it over to the chief of the Air Force and then left Ørland in an F-16 for the last time on Monday. In total, seven F-16 planes will go to Bodø and be there from now on.
According to Teknisk Ukeblad journal, Norway has a total of 57 F-16s. The 331 squadron in Bodø will continue to provide so-called Quick Reaction Alert preparedness for NATO with the F-16. According to the plan, all current F-16 aircraft, which have been continuously upgraded since they were delivered, will be phased out during 2022.
Ørland continues as an F-35 base.
© NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today
