Allies gather to celebrate 50 years of the F-16 and Tornado

On May 23, 2024, F-16s and Tornados launched from Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany to fly a formation to mark the 50th anniversary of both aircraft types first flights in 1974.Making up the formation were two US Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons from Spangdahlem’s 480th Fighter Squadron, an Italian Air Force Tornado ECR (or EA-200D as it is designated by Italy) from 155° Gruppo and a German Air Force Tornado IDS from Taktische Luftwaffengeschwader 33.The 50th anniversary formation flies over