The Kosovo crisis could have meant that there was no Block 50 F-16 in the flying display at Le Bourget.
Until last week there was considerable doubt about whether a European-based US Air Force aircraft would be available and Lockheed Martin was negotiating to lease an earlier model from either the Norwegian or Danish air forces, both of which have F-16s on static display.
However, the USAF's 32nd Fighter Wing, based at Spangdahlem, Germany, finally agreed to lease a Block 50 two-seater, although final confirmation didn't come through until last week.
Source: Flight Daily News
