T-Birds to Get Upgraded F-16s:

Nov. 5, 2007

The Ogden Air Logistics Center at Hill AFB, Utah, has turned over to the Air Force Aerial Demonstration Team, the Thunderbirds, the first refurbished F-16. The center will apply Block 52 upgrades to another 10 jets for the elite demo team, reports Capt. Genieve David. The Block 52 modifications include the Falcon Structural Augmentation Roadmap program, replacing known service life-limiting structures to maintain flight safety parameters. The Air Force has been applying Falcon STAR mods to operational F-16s, as the fighters are showing higher than anticipated wear.

Related Content

SECAF, B-21, Budgets: The Top Stories We’re Tracking for 2025

Dec. 30, 2024
Air & Space Forces Magazine traveled the the globe in 2024 to cover the biggest stories involving the U.S. Air Force and Space Force, from Ukraine to the Middle East, from Florida to California. Now, as we head into 2025, here are some of the stories that we'll be keeping…

DOD to Track Suicide Deaths By Job Specialty Under New Law

Dec. 23, 2024
A provision in the fiscal 2025 defense policy bill will require the Defense Department to include the military occupational specialty of service members who die by suicide in its annual report on suicide deaths, though it remains to be seen how much data the department will actually disclose.

DOD, Lockheed Agree on Price for Next 145 F-35s

Dec. 23, 2024
The F-35 Joint Program Office has agreed in principal to pay up to $11.8 billion for the next 145 F-35s from manufacturer Lockheed Martin—but final details on the deal won’t be hammered out until the spring.

Air Force Reopens Competition for New F-16 Ejection Seats

Dec. 23, 2024
The Air Force is partially reopening the competition for its Next-Generation Ejection Seat program, giving vendors the chance to offer their solutions for a new seat for the F-16 while sticking with its choice for the F-15. 

Refueling and Maneuvering Satellites in Orbit Is Key to National Security 

Dec. 23, 2024
“Military history shows that the best defense is almost always a maneuvering offense supported by solid logistics. This was true for mechanized land warfare, air combat, and naval operations since World War II. It will also be true as the world veers closer to military conflict in space,” writes Aidan…

How Miss America 2024 Took the Air Force Somewhere New

Dec. 20, 2024
When 2nd Lt. Madison Marsh became the first ever active service member crowned Miss America on Jan. 14, top Air Force officials recognized a rare opportunity to reach women and girls who otherwise might not consider military service as an option.