First Slovakian F-16 Block 70 Arrives at Morris Air National Guard Base for Training

The first Slovakian F-16 Block 70 aircraft arrived at Morris Air National Guard Base (ANGB) for training on June 13, Lockheed Martin announced Tuesday.

Morris ANGB, home to the Air National Guard’s F-16 fighter pilot training unit, the 162nd Wing, was selected by the Department of the Air Force to receive up to nine Slovak-owned F-16 Block 70s. This selection is due to the base's role in training coalition war-fighting partners for the United States Air Force and international allies.

Col. Thomas Obrochta, 162nd Operations Group commander, stated that Morris ANGB was chosen to base the first Slovakian aircraft to enable their pilots to train on their own aircraft before delivery to Slovakia. Additionally, two more jets will arrive in Slovakia later this summer to begin in-country operations, marking the first F-16s with Block 70 capabilities to operate in Europe.

The Slovak Republic Minister of Defense initiated the selection process for new fighter aircraft in 2015 to replace the obsolete MiG-29 Fulcrum fighters.

The initial cadre of Slovakian F-16 pilots has been training at Morris ANGB for the past two years. Lt. Col. Matthew Hodges, the squadron commander at the start of the training, noted that the pilots completed a basic course covering air-to-air and air-to-ground tactics and continued to build hours for advanced qualifications.

The modernization of the Slovak air force with the F-16 Block 70 aims to strengthen Slovakia’s defense capabilities and interoperability with U.S. and NATO forces. So far, 11 pilots have been trained for the F-16 Block 70, with additional training planned through fiscal year 2026.

Slovakia purchased F-16s for €1.6 billion ($1.8 billion at the time) in December 2018. Lockheed Martin officially delivered first two jets to the country four months ago. The contract includes a comprehensive package comprising Raytheon AIM-120C7 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs), AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, training, and support.

The F-16C/D Block 70/72, also known as the F-16V in remanufactured form, is the latest variant, featuring the Northrop Grumman AN/APG-83 AESA radar (SABR), a new Raytheon mission computer, Link 16 datalink, modern cockpit displays, an enhanced electronic warfare system, high-resolution Center Pedestal Display, advanced weapons integration, ground-collision avoidance, and an extended structural life of 12,000 hours.