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January
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16 Jan 1981
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Belgian Air Force's 349 squadron becomes the first F-16 fighter squadron to qualify for North Atlantic Treaty Organization service in Europe.
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16 Jan 1981
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The F-16/79 intermediate fighter completes development flight test program.
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February
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11 Feb 1981
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F-16 launches first Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM).
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17 Feb 1981
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First Fighting Falcon is refuelled in the air by a KC-10 tanker
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March
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19 Mar 1981
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Twelve 'Fighting Falcons' from 4 TFS return to Hill AFB, Utah, from Flesland AFB, Norway after completing the USAF's first full overseas operational F-16 deployment.
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April
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28 Apr 1981
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Israeli F-16s scored the first air-to-air kill by shooting down two Syrian Mi-8 'Hip' helicopters.
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May
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6 May 1981
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Belgian's 349 squadron is declared fully operational as first European F-16 squadron.
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29 May 1981
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USAF inaugurates first overseas F-16 base at Kunsan, Korea, with the 8th FW converting from the F-4 to the F-16A/B.
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June
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7 Jun 1981
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First F-16 combat use, in Israel's raid on a Iraqi nuclear reactor (Osirak).
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1981
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F-16s win Royal Air Force precision bombing competition at Lossiemouth, Scotland, scoring 7,831 of a possible 8,000 points.
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1981
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Egypt orders 40 F-16s (Peace Vector II).
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July
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30 Jul 1981
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First production F-16A block 15 (#80-0660) is delivered to the IDFAF.
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August
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6 Aug 1981
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An F-16 destroys a F-102 target drone during first guided launch of an all-weather AMRAAM radar-guided missile.
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October
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24 Oct 1981
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First production F-16A block 15 (#80-0542) is delivered to the USAF.
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December
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16 Dec 1981
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South Korea orders 40 F-16s (Peace Bridge I) becoming the 8th customer.
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23 Dec 1981
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Pakistan orders 6 F-16s (Peace Gate I) becoming the 9th customer.
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23 Dec 1981
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Pakistan orders 34 F-16s (Peace Gate II).
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30 Dec 1981
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USAF inaugurates first European F-16 base at Hahn, Germany, with the 50th TFW converting from the F-4 to the F-16A/B.
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31 Dec 1981
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First production F-16B block 15 (#80-0635) is delivered to the USAF.
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