349 Fighter Squadron

December 6, 2011 - Four 349 (F) sqn pilots have decided to compete in the 2012 edition of the famous Crocodile Trophy in Australia.The Crocodile Trophy is considered the longest, hardest and most adventurous mountainbike race in the world. Challenged by the extreme heat and rough terrain of the Australian outback, the riders will have to survive nine stages between Cairns and Cooktown, totalling around 1,000km and 13,000 altimeters.

The four pilots - currently deployed in Afghanistan - have started their training with indoor cycling and running sessions. Sponsors such as Ridley, DCM and ETIXX will support them throughout their trainings and races. It's worth mentioning that these pilots will not sacrifice operational availability while preparing for this ultimate adventure.

http://www.belgium-f16-ridley-team.be/Welcome.html

December 5, 2011 - Pilots and support personnel of 349 (F) sqn are again fulfilling their durty at Kandahar airbase in Afghanistan. With 349 support personnel alreayd in theatre as from beginning of September, 349 pilots joined them in November. Redeployment of the whole detachment is foreseen by the end of January 2012. As part of OGF X (Operation Guardian Falcon - rotation 10) they are supporting the NATO ISAF mission with six F-16s. Each day they are flying missions in support of the NATO ground forces.

 

On December 3rd, Kandahar airbase organised a 5K 'Santa Run', identical to the race which was held at the same moment in Las Vegas. 349 (F) sqn pilots were present in suitable disguise and performed with excellent race results.

 

..... or how to keep the spirit alive.....

 

April 29, 2011 - In March of 2011, the uprising in Libya led to an armed intervention by the Nato-led coalition forces. Pilots from 349 squadron flew the very first Belgian sortie only hours after the approval of the higher chain of command on March 21st. Since the start of the conflict, they have attacked numerous targets in order to safeguard the Libyan population and enforced the no-fly zone.

 

What originally started as a squadron exchange with the Greek 335 squadron in Araxos soon changed into a full operational commitment in operation Freedom Falcon. The patch that was made on occasion of the squadron move suddenly became the patch for the new mission.

 

January 19, 2011 - Some might have spotted a different painting on one of the KB F-16s. Stickers were applied on the FA-116 to test whether they were strong enough so that 349 sqn will be able to use the same type on a new squadron jet. The unveiling of the special viper will happen during the TDPU exercise in September of 2011.