The impressive and spectacular Belgian Air Force F-16 Solo Display at RIAT 2023 from Saturday 15th July 2023.
The General Dynamics F-16AM Fighting Falcon (aka 'Viper') is flown by Captain Steven “Vrieske” De Vries of the Belgian Air Component. Last year, Vrieske celebrated his 5,000 hours of flying and has been flying with the 31st 'TIGER' Squadron, which is based at Kleine Brogel Air Base since 1990.
Vrieske achieved his first 1000 flying hours with his previous squadron with the Belgian AF, the 23rd Squadron 'DEVIL'. It was with his current squadron, 'TIGER' where he totalled a further 4000 hours of flying.
It was during a training flight on March 5th 2021, Vrieske achieved 5000Hrs in the F-16 and is the only non US pilot to achieve this. In fact, he is currently the 7th pilot world wide to reach this unique achievement. Furthermore on this special flight, Vrieske was accompanied by three other Belgian Air Force Pilots, and totalled more than 16,000 hrs of flying in the F-16, which I believe is some sort of record.
31 Tiger Squadron has always been considered as one of the top squadrons of the Belgian Air Force. Besides that, 31 Squadron is proud to be one of the cornerstones of the NATO Tiger Community. The Squadron has been a full member of the NTA since 1962. On July 19 1961, 31 Squadron took part in a “Tiger Meet” for the first time. The Tiger Meet took place at RAF Woodbridge
The Squadron was founded at Chièvres Airbase in 1951 flying the renowned legend of World War Two, the Spitfire Mk XIV. The squadron flew 151 missions with this venerable fighter. The last flight on this aircraft took place on 7 July 1952. From this date, there were no more aircraft assigned to the squadron and the pilots were assigned to their rivals – 23 & 27 Squadrons.
In 2004, 31 Squadron flew some of the first of NATO’s Baltic Air Policing missions, deploying to Zokniai AB (Siauliai AB) in Lithuania. Lithuania had become a new NATO member but did not yet have its own air force. Therefore, several NATO countries came to the rescue to watch the skies of the new NATO members and provided assets, with Belgium being the first NATO country to send aircraft for Quick Reaction Alert duties.
Then the Afghanistan episode started. Therefore, the Tigers needed to prepare for another conflict area. In July 2005, 31 Squadron pilots flew numerous combat missions over Afghanistan from their deployed position at Kabul providing Close Air Support, Quick Reaction Force, and performing reconnaissance flights.
In 2007, 31 Squadron returned to Afghanistan. This time all aircraft were deployed to Kandahar Airbase in the hot and challenging southern desert. By now equipped with high-tech sensors such as the Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod, Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System, and loaded with GBU-38 JDAM and GBU-12 laser guided bombs, the Tigers provided outstanding Close Air Support to all nations fighting the Taliban insurgents and assisted the Afghan people striving for a better life. This mission continued until the end of 2014.
31 "Tigers" Fighter Bomber Squadron is one of the five F16 Squadrons of the Belgian Air Component. Flying the F-16 MLU Fighting Falcon, "three one" is a Multirole squadron able to perform a wide array of operational missions. For the squadron, operationality is the top priority. Other than that, the squadron is known for its traditions and the fact it's often still referred to as a Fighter Bomber squadron is a nice example of this. All the traditions can be traced back to the squadrons rich history, now spanning more than six decennia. In addition, as a Tiger squadron and one of the oldest members of the NATO Tiger Association, 31 squadron takes great pride in spreading the "Tiger Spirit" and honoring the traditions that come with it. With their fighting spirit “May the enemies blood be our wine” (“In Sanguine Vinum”) the 31 tigers will fulfill their job with pride and dignity in the 21st century.
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