As part of the ceremony for receiving a new F-16 fighter into the U.S. Navy Reserve on August 27, it was confirmed that the Navy sought to acquire F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters from the Greek Air Force that were nearing retirement to integrate them into its Aggressor Squadrons. Had this operation been completed, it would have marked a significant milestone for the long-term modernization program of the Tactical Support Wing (TSW), which began in 2009.
To better understand the origin of this proposal, it is helpful to revisit May 2021, when Vice Admiral John B. Mustin (Commander of the Navy Reserve) testified before the House Subcommitte for Appropriations on Defense for Fiscal Year 2022, stating that it would be necessary to find a replacement for the F/A-18s serving as Aggressors, with the F-16 chosen as the best possible alternative. The process was expedited due to the early retirement of the F-18A/B/C/D Legacy Hornets, which at the time comprised a fleet of 48 aircraft, with only 12 F-18 Super Hornets available to replace them.
Given this need, the U.S. Navy found in the old Greek fighter fleet an opportunity for a quick acquisition of aircraft. However, after difficulties advancing in that direction, it was decided to opt for the transfer of F-16s from the U.S. Air Force (USAF). Commander Traver Fordham explained: “After encountering issues with the purchase from Greece, we took advantage of the Air Force’s plan to retire more than 30 F-16s with between 2,000 and 3,000 flight hours remaining. This led to a successful transfer agreement for 30 aircraft, 26 of which were allocated for Navy use, with 12 specifically designated for VFC-13 (Editor’s Note: one of the US Navy’s Aggressor Squadrons).”
It should be noted that the transition from the old F-18 Legacy Hornets to the F-16C/D (ex-USAF) was not immediate or without obstacles, as it required the training of 30 pilots on the new weapon system, the acquisition of new simulators, and the establishment of a new Viper Maintenance Group (VMG). By 2023, the aforementioned VFC-13 had completed its first Strike Fighter Advanced Readiness Program (SFARP) using only the newly arrived F-16s.
Finally, regarding the fate of the Greek F-16s, it is useful to remember that Greece is considering transferring these aircraft to the Ukrainian Air Force to bolster its capabilities amidst the Russian invasion. If carried out, three dozen aircraft would be made available by the Hellenic Air Force, joining the more than 90 aircraft committed by Denmark, Norway, Belgium, and the Netherlands. It is also noteworthy that the units to be replaced, including not only the F-16s but also F-4s and Mirage 2000s, will find successors in the U.S.-made stealth F-35 and the French Rafale.
Images used for illustrative purposes
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