AIRFORCES Inc. Reports: Back in 1992, nine years after receieving their first F-'16s Fighters, five aircrafts from "Grupo 16" of the Venezuelan Air Force, based at the "El Libertador" Air base in Venezuela, flew a distance of 4,400 miles and undertook three in-flight refueling hook ups, respectfully first with their own B707 tanker and then with USAF KC-135's to reach Nellis Air Force Base, located in Las Vegas to take part in the world famous "Red Flag" air combat training exercise.
Being supported by one of their C-130 and 55 of their highly trained and motivated ground support personnel, the Venezuelan Air Force made history by becoming the first ever Latin American Air Force to part take in Red Flag.
Back then USAF Red Flag Operations Commander, Col. Boby Buffkin expressed his admiration toward the Venezuelan F-16 crews for their ability to integrate and become a cohesive attribute of the Red Flag 1992 session. Since its inception back in 1975 to the present, 20 foreign Air Forces have had the professional and tactical pleasure of being part of the USAF Red Flag annual training events, and as stated above, Venezuela became the first Latin American Air Forces to display their abilities in air to air combat training and participation. The Venezuelan Air Force again took part in Red Flag in 1994 thus being the last time. It would be a welcome sight for them to be invited back to participate with their new Sukhoi SU-30MK's. (see "Venezuela Next Generation Russian Fighter Blog, dated Friday Nov 2, 2007)
Red Flag 1992 Venezuelan Air Force F-16 Crew List
1. Lt Col. Oswaldo Di Sabatino
2. Col. Arturo Garcia
3. Maj. Hector D. Armas
4. Maj. Saul Fuenmayor
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