F-16 Fighting Falcon: key player in global military operations

In 2003, during the US invasion of Iraq, F-16s were used for air superiority and strike missions. While most sorties were successful, one aircraft was lost near Baghdad due to fuel exhaustion rather than enemy fire.

The Falcon's capabilities were further proven in 2011 during Operation Odyssey Dawn when it helped enforce a no-fly zone over Libya. It was involved again in Operation Inherent Resolve against ISIS positions.

According to Lockheed Martin, which acquired rights to the program from General Dynamics, more than 4,600 F-16s have been built with exports to 25 different nations.

Despite some losses over its operational history mainly due to surface-to-air missiles or accidents like a crash at Bagram Air Base reported by NBC News in 2013—the aircraft has maintained an impressive combat record: "According to Popular Mechanics," with a reported "76-1 air-to-air combat record."

Looking ahead into future conflicts around regions such as South China Sea or Eastern Europe where US allies also operate F-16s—the jet remains poised for deployment worldwide.

"From large-scale interventions to smaller engagements," says Lockheed Martin; "the success of the F-16 Falcon can be attributed" not only "to next-generation avionics" but also "impressive maneuverability."