Netz 107 is a General Dynamics F-16A block 10 Fighting Falcon of the Israeli Air Force, tail number 107. Netz 107 participated in Operation Opera, bombing the Osiraq nuclear reactor, and was later credited with 6.5 enemy aircraft kills, a world record number of kills for an F-16.[1]

Netz 107
Netz 107 on display during Israel Independence Day
General information
TypeGeneral Dynamics F-16A block 10 Fighting Falcon (Netz)
OwnersIsraeli Air Force / IDF/AF
Serial107
History
First flight1980
In service2 July 1980
Last flight2015
Preserved atPreserved on display at the Israeli Air Force Museum.

Operational service

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The first F-16A/B Netz fighters arrived in Israel during 1980 and were issued to 117 Squadron (Israel) of the Israeli Air Force. Netz 107 was the first F-16 to touch Israeli soil when it landed on 2 July 1980 at Ramat David Airbase.

On 7 June 1981 Netz 107 took part in Operation Opera, piloted by Amos Yadlin, and was the second F-16 to strike the Osiraq nuclear reactor after wing leader Zeev Raz.

Netz 107 scored its first aerial kill on 21 April 1982 when pilot Zeev Raz shot down a Syrian Air Force MiG-23. During Operation Peace for Galilee it shot down 6 more Syrian aircraft. On 9 June 1982, Eliezer Shkedi shot down two MiG-23s, although one was shared with another pilot. On Friday 11 June 1982 pilot Eytan Stibbe shot down four Syrian aircraft.

Several years later Netz 107 was re-allocated to 253 Squadron (Israel) along with other F-16A/Bs. In 2015 it was retired from service and put on display at the Israeli Air Force Museum.

Kills

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Date Pilot Weapon Target
7 June 1981 Amos Yadlin Mark 84 Bomb Iraqi Osirak nuclear reactor
21 April 1982 Zeev Raz AIM-9 Sidewinder Syrian MiG-23
9 June 1982 Eliezer Shkedi AIM-9 Sidewinder Syrian MiG-23 (shared kill)
9 June 1982 Eliezer Shkedi AIM-9 Sidewinder Syrian MiG-23
11 June 1982 Eytan Stibbe AIM-9 Sidewinder Syrian MiG-23
11 June 1982 Eytan Stibbe AIM-9 Sidewinder Syrian Sukhoi Su-22
11 June 1982 Eytan Stibbe M61A1 Vulcan gun Syrian Sukhoi Su-22
11 June 1982 Eytan Stibbe missile Syrian Aérospatiale Gazelle helicopter

References

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