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Battle of the beasts: Aardvark vs Falcon

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Christopher Maldonado
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  Aircraft such as the P-51 Mustang (1947-1948), which served as a single-seat, long range fighter-bomber and the F-84D Thunderjet (1948-1957) swept-wing, turbojet fighter-bomber, set the example for the 20th FW’s most recent flagships: the F-111 Aardvark (1970-1993) flown by the Royal Air Force, out of Upper Hayford, U.K. and the F-16CM Fighting Falcon (1994-present) currently flying at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C.

The Aardvark and the Falcon served vital roles in the accomplishment of their respective missions; the F-111 served in the execution of the reconnaisance-bomber mission of its time and the F-16 continues to serve in the suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD).

Introduced into the U.S. Air Force in 1967, the F-111 was created as a tactical fighter-bomber and modified throughout the years to serve as a reconnaissance aircraft.

“This aircraft’s modifications helped the 20th FW in its execution of nuclear missions around the globe, as opposed to the mission of today’s F-16s which serve in the suppression of enemy air defenses,” said Christopher Koonce, 20th Fighter Wing historian.

Today’s F-16s are capable of reaching speeds in excess of 1,500 miles per hour and heights of over 50,000 feet, compared to the F-111s maximum speed of 1,452 miles per hour and ceiling of 57,000 feet.

The F-111’s ability to reach high altitudes proved useful as a reconnaissance aircraft, as well as a tactical fighter when flying at low levels and assaulting targets in bad weather.

“Although the F-111 proved vital to the Air Force in the early 1980s, it was later retired in 1996,” said Koonce. “It gained the nickname of “Aardvark” upon retirement, because of its long-nosed appearance.”

The 20th FW made its transition from the F-111 to the F-16 in 1994, as the mission of the 20th FW changed from reconnaissance to a SEAD-based mission. The F-16’s design was based on the aerospace systems of other aircraft such as the F-15E Strike Eagle as well as the F-111 itself.

The systems were combined and modified to simplify the fighter and reduce its size, purchase price, maintenance costs and weight. The result was the compact, highly maneuverable, multi-role fighter aircraft Team Shaw proudly operates today.

“The F-16 helps bring the air capabilities needed to annihilate our threats overseas,” said Maj. Michael Watts, 20th Operations Group chief of standards and evaluations. “The close air support that it provides for our troops and neighboring allies is evolution at its finest.”

Through constant modifications, this fighter has proven itself viable in bringing intel, surveillance and reconnaissance to the battle, said Watts.

Each aircraft flown here has had a pivotal role in the accomplishment of the 20th FW mission, as well as the Air Force mission at large. Although no longer in use, the Aardvark’s legacy set the example for today’s F-16 to showcase its strength and airpower, and continue to assert its dominance in the suppression of enemy ground and air defenses, enabling the U.S. Air Force to fly, fight and win.