To celebrate the type’s 50th anniversary, F-16AM E-006 received a striking colour scheme representing the Danish flag known as Danneborg.
Text and photos: Emiel Sloot
last updated 1 July 2025
Dannebrog 2.0
It was not the first time that the Danes dressed one of their F-16s in these colours. Earlier, F-16AM E-191 had been painted red/white, until it was resprayed in the regular camouflage pattern by the end of 2023. A photo feature on the original Dannebrog F-16 can be found here.
As a true sequel, E-006 became known as ‘Dannebrog 2.0’. This time, metallic paint was used for a unique and spectacular appearance. Its first flight as such occurred on 6 June 2024, with the intention to showcase the aircraft during the Danish Airshow 2024 to be held at Aalborg the following weekend. Unfortunately, this event was cancelled last minute for operational reasons. The Sola Airshow at Stavanger, Norway now had the premiere later that same month. E-006 would also attend the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) at RAF Fairford, UK and the Försvarsmaktens Flygdag 2024 at Ronneby, Sweden.
Like previous years, the Royal Danish Air Force F-16 Solo Display team is piloted by Captain Troels ‘TEO’ Vang, a Viper Veteran serving with the air force for over 20 years now.
Turbulent career
F-16A E-006 was produced by Fokker at Schiphol, the Netherlands as part of a follow-up order of 12 aircraft. Before, Denmark had purchased 58 F-16A & B aircraft that were built by SABCA in Belgium. However, since that production line had already closed down by the time Denmark placed the order for the new batch, the new dozen rolled off the Dutch production line. Being the 256th F-16 produced by Fokker, construction number 6F-49 was allocated Foreign Military Sales serial number 87-0006. It was delivered to Flyvestation Aalborg on 1 December 1988 as E-006 for service with Eskadrille 726. Under the Midlife Update programme, it was later upgraded to F-16AM.
On 19 December 2002, it became involved in a serious incident while deployed to Manas, Kyrgyzstan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom over Afghanistan. Upon return to Manas following an operational mission, the formation including E-006 had to divert to Bagram, Afghanistan due to thick fog at the destination. Unfortunately, the runway surface at Bagram had become very slippery due to a combination of heavy rain and dust. The US Air Force exchange pilot flying E-006 was unable to stop the aircraft in time and ejected to safety. The F-16 came to a rest beyond the runway end in an old minefield that originated from Soviet occupation in the 1980s. The aircraft sustained extensive damage including a detached nose gear and a clipped radome. The crippled fighter was lifted to safety by a US Army CH-47D and subsequently airlifted back home the next month by a Danish Hercules for extensive repairs. By early 2006, E-006 returned to service at Skrydstrup air base.
The end is nigh
The year 2025 marks the final season for the RDAF F-16 Solo Display team. Their final season is limited to just four public appearances. Although the air force again cancelled their air show for operational reasons, the programme includes three domestic displays. On 14 June it attended the airshow over Stauning while Dannebrog 2.0 could also be seen performing at the DM i Rallysprint at Aalborg on 28 June. Finally it will appear at the Roskilde Airshow during 23-24 August. Beside joining RIAT at RAF Fairford, the team’s final display will take place at the Telemark Airshow at Nobotten, Norway on 7 September.
With the conclusion of the final season, F-16 operations with the Royal Danish Air Force are approaching the end as well. Some examples have been donated to Ukraine, while 24 aircraft will continue service with the Argentinean Air Force. It is likely that E-006 will be part of this transfer.
Although very hard to beat, it would be nice to witness a Dannebrog 3.0 version on a Danish F-35A Lightning II. Who knows what the future will behold. ■
